88 Years Ago

88 years ago today--August 26, 1920--the 19th Amendment, "The Federal Suffrage Amendment" was officially added to the U.S. Constitution; 133 years after the Constitution itself was adopted. Here is what the 19th Amendment guarantees: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State, on account of sex.
Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. That doesn't seem so scary, does it?
But think about that date--1920--that's the year my mother was born & although she is dead, millions of American who were born before 1920 are still alive. Why did it take so long for more than half of the population--women--to win the right to vote? Why in 1917 were suffragists arrested and thrown in jail and brutally force fed? Intriguing questions that I'm investigating and wrestling with in two projects--my joint biography, Stirring Up The World, of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony and another book project, Shout the Revolution: Women's Fierce Fight for the Vote: 1910-1920. (Shout the Revolution is the title of a song suffragists wrote during their imprisonment.) In an earlier post, I wrote about our road trip to Seneca Falls, NY, for the 160th anniversary of the Women's Rights Convention. There we discovered this statute (see picture) portraying the historic moment when Amelia Bloomer introduced Susan B. Anthony (on the left) to Elizabeth Cady Stanton. (Note that both AB & ECS were wearing the controversial fashion--bloomers.)
Here 8 things I'm going to do to celebrate this day:
1. Wish everyone I meet "Happy Women's Equality Day."
2. Note it in any emails I send today.
3. Read the "Declaration of Sentiments and the Resolutions" (it's online).
4. Spend time at www.roadstosenecafalls.com and www.nwhp.com.
5. Tell my 4-year-old granddaughter about the event.
6. Post a blog entry.
7. Make a bibliography of relevant books to recommend for classroom use.
8. Organize all the pictures I've taken over the years of women suffrage sites such as the grave stones of several men in Colorado that noted their suffrage work, and the markers in Laramie, WY, and Salem, OH, etc.

Please add more ideas!

Reader Response Thanksgiving: The True Story

Here is a reader response to Thanksgiving: The True Story from Patricia Bandre', a professor of Reading Education, University of Arkansas at Little Rock:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Thanksgiving: The True Story. As usual, your writing flows so smoothly through all of the facts. It feels as though you and I are sitting side-by-side, and you are telling me a story. Wonderful--and fascinating.

NOTE: Patricia Bandre' is getting ready to start "Bandre's Book Notes," a web page on the Arkansas Literacy Model website. I'll let you know when it is up and running. As a professor of Reading Education, Trish Bandre' brings an essential perspective to the world of children's publications.

What a Great Surprise!!! Thanksgiving: The True Story

Totally unexpectedly--five finished copies of Thanksgiving: The True Story arrived today!!! What a thrill!!!! In her note, Christy Ottaviano, my editor, wrote that she thinks they look "spectacular!" and I agree. Everyone at Henry Holt did a terrific job--thanks to all!!!!! The book will be in bookstores on Sept. 16.

Science/Math Book Recommendation

Sue Kirch, Ph.D., a science educator K-12 in the Department of Teaching and Learning, New York University, emailed two recommendations of "fabulous" books for teachers who want to integrate math & science--Measuring Penny and It's Probably Penny (Penny is a dog) by Loreen Leedy. Sue, who is a dear friend and former colleague at Queens College, particularly likes the way Leedy "unfolds the math concept . . . . simple, elegant, clear, easy to understand." The narration, she said, is "cute."

Revamped Web Site

My fabulous webcontroller, Renee Harris, just went "live" with my revamped web site at www.pennycolman.com Huge amount of intense work, but so engaging and fun! Let me know what you think!

On Getting Ideas Thanksgiving: The True Story

I am frequently asked where I get ideas for my books. Here is the genesis of my forthcoming book Thanksgiving: The True Story.
It began with a conversation during one of the classes I teach for teachers who are getting their masters degree at Queens College, the City University of New York. It was two days before Thanksgiving and my students were talking about the holiday.
"We have turkey for Thanksgiving, but on the side and no one eats it," said one student.
"What do you eat for Thanksgiving?" I asked in total astonishment, having only ever eaten the traditional menu of turkey with all the fixings.
She replied with a long list of Italian dishes--homemade lasagna, ravioli, meatballs, etc.
That discussion sparked my curiosity about every aspect of Thanksgiving, from what people eat and do and believe to the origins of the holiday itself.

Books & Sophie

I'm about to leave to pick up Sophie & return to the Jersey Shore. Since June, she's been in Europe with her mother & their Swiss family. During our road trip to Minnesota in June, Linda and I bought a bunch of kids' books at Lark, a terrific store in Kellogg, MN, including a classic Linda loved when she was a kid--The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton (she thinks someone in her family knew VLB). Published in 1942, it's particular relevant to our Shore bungalow 'cause our neighbor just built a monster motel of a house, with an unprecedented raised driveway that places the wheels of their behemoth vehicles in our side windows! I'm taking the stack of books to read with Sophie. I'm also taking one I bought after our trip--The Field Guide to Ocean Animals by Phyllis Perry that "includes 64 pieces to assemble 8 ocean animals and a removable diorama." Yipee!
Next week, I'll list all the books we read and Sophie's reaction.

Whoa! Not that tiresome, glib overgeneralization again!

Whoa!!! It's 2008 and I just read this tiresome, glib overgeneralization and unsubstantiated assertion in "Newsweek" (July 28, 2008, p 29)*: "although girls will read books about boys, boys won't go near a girl's book, no matter how cool she is."

If a graduate student in my classes at Queens College wrote that in a paper, I'd write (in red ink, although I don't typically use it!): WHAT'S YOUR EVIDENCE? CITE YOUR SOURCE!

And to anyone who says that that is "true" for his/her sons, grandsons, nephews, male students, I say--shame on you for accepting that attitude!

* "It's Still Not Easy Being Green ("'Anne of Green Gables' turns 100 this year, but she's the most modern girl in the bookstore.) by Ramin Setoodeh

On writing and Women's Equality Day, 8/26

Once again I've been reminded why I'm hooked on writing--what a thrill when it flows!!!!! What it took was isolating myself for several days; even today, an absolutely gorgeous day, I'm continuing to writing 'cause it's so much fun!!!!!!

Reminder: Women's Equality Day is Aug 26--the day designated by Congress to celebrate the women and men who fought the hard fight for the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote. Isn't it astonishing that that didn't happen until 1920--just 88 years ago!! Think about it: there are many Americans today who were born at a time when women were denied the right to vote in America!! Plan your celebration now!