Why Women Should Vote

FYI: A suffrage press in Hornell, NY, published this flier in 1913, 7 years before women finally won the right to vote. The list of facts are a window into the arguments that were being used by the anti-suffrage forces; for example, the arguments that women did not want to vote, i.e., Fact No. 4 & 9, and that women's suffrage would lead to increases in divorce and crime, i.e. Fact No. 10, 11, 12.
(Click on the image to enlarge it.)

Cross references

After giving two speeches yesterday, I hunkered down today to work on Stirring. In the process I read a comment about Susan B. Anthony by Charles Dudley Warner.
Charles Dudley Warner, I said to myself, I "know" him. That's because in Thanksgiving: The True Story I quoted his account in Being a Boy (1877) of his pie-making chores: "For days and days before Thanksgiving the boy was kept at work evenings, pounding and paring and cutting up and mixing (not being allowed to taste much), until the world seemed to him to be made of fragrant spices, green fruit, raisins, and pastry,--a world that he was only allowed to enjoy through his nose. How it filled the house with the most delicious smells."

In 1869, Warner was a newspaper editor in Hartford, Connecticut, and attended a Women's Rights Convention that had been organized by Isabella Beecher Hooker. In a post-convention letter to a friend, Hooker quoted Warner: "Said one of our editors, Charles Dudley Warner, a man of finest taste and culture, when he had been praising the dignity and power of the whole platform: 'Susan Anthony is my favorite. . . .You could see in her every motion and in her very silence that the cause was all she care for, self was utterly forgotten."

Yesterday, a question during my talk to the James Michener Society prompted a conversation about Michener's admiration for Dickey Chapelle; a cross reference because Chapelle is one of the women I featured in Where the Action is: Women War Correspondents in World War II. That night I spoke to a group of women on a BookWomen Reading Retreat. One of the books they read was a novel about the Triangle Shirtwaist fire; a cross reference to A Woman Unafraid, my biography of Frances Perkins who witnessed that fire and later said "I felt I must sear it not only on my mind but on my heart as a never-to-be-forgotten reminder of why I had to spend my life fighting conditions that could permit such a tragedy." Perkins, of course, did just that as the U.S. secretary of labor where she was the architect of some of the most far-reaching social/reform legislation ever enacted in America, including the establishment of Social Security.
An interesting exercise--especially with all the current buzz about high achieving women--is to compare and contrast Perkins's experiences/policies/achievements during her tenure (1933-1945) and the experiences/policies/achievements of the current secretary of labor, Elaine Cha0 (2001- ). Interestingly, perhaps, ironically both women are graduates of Mount Holyoke College.

Why Women Should Vote

Like me, many of you have undoubtedly received the piece with photographs, "Why Women Should Vote" that is being widely forwarded via email. Just today, I received five forwards with long lists of email addresses. I forwarded it to the students in my masters class Nonfiction Literature for Children as a piece to evaluate for classroom use when we meet tomorrow. I'm thrilled that there's so much interest in the extraordinary story of the fight for women's suffrage. Currently I'm writing about the 19th century fight in Stirring Up The World. Next I'm writing Shout the Revolution: Women's Fierce Fight for the Vote, 1910-1920. ("Shout the Revolution" is the title of a song written by suffragist while they were in prison. See below for the words.) Consequently I've got books piled high everywhere! Here a few I recommend for those of you eager to learn more: Seneca Falls and the Origins of the Women's Rights Movement by Sally G. McMillen; The Road to Seneca Falls: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the First Woman's Rights Convention by Judith Wellman; African American Women in the Struggle for the Vote, 1850-1920 by Rosalyn Terborg-Penn; Woman Suffrage & Women's Rights by Ellen Carol Dubois; Jailed for Freedom: American Women Win the Vote by Doris Stevens, edited by Carol O'Hare; Iron-Jawed Angels: The Suffrage Militancy of the National Woman's Party, 1912-1920 by Linda G. Ford; Failure is Impossible: Susan B. Anthony in Her Own Words by Lynn Sherr; Sisters: The Lives of America's Suffragists by Jean H. Baker.
FYI: Also I've posted a number of blog entries re women's history.

"Shout the Revolution" was sung to the then familiar tune of a song, "Charlie is My Darling."

Shout the Revolution
Of Women, of Women,
Shout the Revolution
Of Liberty
Rise, glorious women of the earth,
The voiceless and the free,
United strength assures the birth
Of true democracy.
Invincible our army,
Forward, forward
Strong in faith we,re marching
To Victory
Shout the Revolution
Of Women, of Women,
Shout the Revolution
Of Liberty
Men's revolutions born in blood
But our's conceived in peace.

We hold a banner for a sword
'Til all oppression cease,
Prison, death defying,
Onward, onward,
Triumphant daughters marching
To Victory

Siblings

Here I am with my siblings, recently gathered together to celebrate my brother Kip's 60th birthday. An electrician, builder, golf course owner, Kip--in the yellow shirt--is building a new house--note, background--for his family on the shores of Lake Chautauqua in Bemus, NY. That's where we gathered; the first time we were all together in eleven years. For those of you who are familiar with the picture of Cam at about age 3 in Girls: A History of Growing Up Female in America (back cover, page 161), there is she all grown up. Cam is now a successful realtor. (See earlier entry about Cam's & her husband's long road trip to Alaska.) Readers of Thanksgiving: The True Story will read about Vin and the family tradition he started--"Toilet Bowl" football game on Thanksgiving. (p. 100) (Vin and I are eleven months apart to the day--9/2 & 10/2; meaning right now we're "twins". ) He is also the managing director of The Granger Papers Project, an excellent web site

http://www.nh.ultranet.com/~granger/index.shtml re the life and work of our great
uncle the renown paleontologist Walter Granger. I write about Walter & his wife Annie
in Adventurous Women (Author's Note).   Readers of Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts: A History
of Burial know that we had a brother Jon, who died in 1966. Our father died in 1969 and
our mother in 1997 (there's a reproduction of one of her paintings & a story about it in Corpses,
Coffins, and Crypts).  They all still live in our hearts and memories.

Perhaps because I write women's history, some people have asked me what I think about Sarah Palin. Using the lens of the words/lives of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony--since that's what I'm writing about now--I respond that there's minimal congruence between their worldview and her's.

Women and Politics and Nonfiction Writing

My son Jonathan sent me a link to a blog re Sarah Palin. For those of you interested in women and politics and nonfiction writing (which I do & teach)the letter by Anne Kilkenny is an exemplar of persuasive letter writing. http://mudflats.wordpress.com/category/sarah-palin
Note: In doing research for Stirring Up the World: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, A Biography of a Powerful Friendship, I've been immersed in 19th century letters. Currently I'm reading the 580 page volume Selected Letters of Lucretia Coffin Mott edited by Beverly Wilson Palmer.

Letter to the Editor/The New York Times

My letter to the editor re the absence of nonfiction books and materials in classrooms is online at
www.nytimes.com/opinion under the heading "Teaching Children the Facts."
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9803E1DC1E3DF931A3575AC0A96E9C8B63&scp=6&sq=%22Penny%20Colman%22&st=cse

Joint celebrations

Tomorrow Sophie, age 4, starts kindergarten in a New York City public school & I turn 64! Linda & Sophie & I spent the last four days together at our bungalow at the Jersey Shore. We did new things--played miniature golf & attended a lecture on edible plants that included a nature walk at Island Beach State Park--and familiar things--frolicked in the ocean, ate Jersey corn and ocean scallops, drank smoothies that we made with Jersey peaches and blueberries, and indulged in a daily trip to the ice cream store.
Nine of us are gathering for dinner tomorrow to sing Happy First Day of Kindergarten & Happy Birthday. My present for Sophie is a copy of Merriam-Webster's Primary Dictionary with illustrations by Ruth Heller. (Teachers who take my courses at Queens College know I'm a fan of Ruth Heller who wrote & illustrated wonderful nonfiction poetry, including Chickens Aren't the Only Ones.

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!

Women's history Road Trip continue

Later today, I'm returning to the Shore & back to work on Stirring Up The World. So here's another post re our recent women's history road trip: Trip summary: Three days, 880 miles, mostly through central New York. Three drive-in movie theaters. (No, we didn't go). Farm stands with delicious cherries, blueberries, peaches, melons, raspberries. (Yes, we indulged.) Farm stand with piles of gorgeous purple and green heads of cabbage and corn and a pay-on-an-honor system lockbox. Nursery with table after table loaded with lush annuals and perennials. (We bought violet-purple phlox, parsley and snapdragons in a array of colors) and an honor-system-payment- lockbox. Visited 19 towns with women's history sites featuring both women and men.
The picture is of Elizabeth Smith Miller's house in Peterboro; recently bought by a couple who are determined to restore it. Since the early 1980s, her birthday has been celebrated in Peterboro. The program this year on 9/28, is highlighting her suffrage activities.
I'm counting on Dot to add a comment about Elizabeth Smith Miller!

Local fruit on the way to women's history sites

I've been at the Shore with limited internet access. Now I'm in Englewood for the day and can finally post a pic of this gorgeous local-fruit pie we made on Wednesday and devoured by Thursday lunch. I bought the fruit from farm stands along route 70 on my way to Philadelphia (to have lunch with a dear friend and to visit Lucretia Mott historic sites, more about that later). Yummmmmmmmm!

Road Trip Map

I've marked women's history sites on every map in the U.S. Before we take a road trip, I update the relevant map(s) and plot our route. Note: The road trip can be for any purpose, i.e. visiting friends/family or driving to a speaking engagement. Regardless of the purpose, I always check to see if I can plot a not-too-far-out-of-the-way detour. For an example of how I incorporated a road trip into my writings, see my essay about Biddy Mason, a former slave, midwife, landowner, philanthropist, in Adventurous Women: Eight True Stories About Women Who Made A Difference. Here's the NYS map we took on our trip 7/18-20/2008. We covered 880 miles (given gas prices--the highest we paid for regular was $4.17--we drove slower and took a cooler with food).

Women's History Road Trip

We just returned home from an amazingly productive, stimulating, fascinating, and fun women's history road trip. I'll post a more detailed entry, but for starters: our destination was Seneca Falls, NY for the 160th anniversary celebration of the Women's Rights Convention, the beginning of the organized women's rights movement in the U.S.. From my previous entries, you know I'm in the middle of writing Stirring Up The World: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, A Biography of a Powerful Friendship. We left Friday and drove to Seneca Falls via all the places I've been writing about--SBA's childhood home in Battenville and Canjoharie where she taught school (and where we met a new friend Sheryl, who told us how to easily find the "pot that washes itself" --a gorgeous, serene spot.) ECS's childhood home in Johnstown, NY etc. etc. etc. It was quite the route: we need 3 NY maps to find every place & one place required winging it! We had many adventures. And, yes, Dot, we drove along Seneca Lake, found Miller Hall, AND found a marker to Elizabeth Smith Miller (she introduced the Bloomer outfit among other claims to fame) in Peterboro! More later.