Book 20: The Accidental Suffragist by Galia Gichon

The novel focuses on Helen Fox--a button factory worker, tenement dweller, wife and mother in New York City during the early 20th Century. In the aftermath of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, in which her daughter is killed, Helen meets some suffragists. She attends a meeting, gets a job with the suffragists, and comes to believe that women getting the vote will help save other children from her daughter's fate. 

Coll-ection

The novel did a good job of blending the fictional with the historical characters. I liked reading how Helen grew self-confident in her duties and beliefs, even as she handled the conflict with her role as a more traditional wife and mother. 

There's a nice framing device concerning Helen's daughters. It was Abigail, who died in the Triangle Fire, who is first interested in the suffrage movement. At the end of the book, Helen's other daughter Claudia is happily marching with Alice Paul. 

I liked seeing the more educated, wealthier suffragists and their world through Helen's eyes, especially as she experiences things for the first time, such as being in a car or hotel room. 

I'd like to read more historical novels about the suffragists. 

Ultimately, I wanted to like this book more than I did. It just seemed a little simplistic; I wondered if it was written for young adults. I really disliked the title. I can understand why the author (or publisher) found it appealing, but it's inaccurate. There is nothing accidental about Helen's commitment to the suffrage cause.

There's a Bad Mood on the Rise

For about a month or so, I've been maintaining some kind of decent mood. But things have gotten too much: I'm disgusted by the right's attack on women's health. Then there's the attack on drag queens--if the right were really concerned about children, it would focus on the Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts.

Here in Norwalk, the Planning and Zoning Commission is trying to push through changes that most Norwalkers are against. In our condo, the elevator keeps getting stuck, and our upstairs neighbors seemingly think it's acceptable to allow their toddler to run amok after 10 PM above our bedroom. 

While we've escaped really hot weather, it has been humid. Forecasts of rain earlier this week did not pan out, except for a few showers here and there. We really need a long soaking rain. Smoke from Canadian forest fires have returned; luckily they aren't as bad as they were a few weeks ago. Then there are the Mets--they won today, but wins are few and far between. What a crappy season.

I've been feeling overwhelmed again. Somedays it seems all I do is walk Jace, go with Jeff to the doctor's, and cook. That may not be true, but feelings count. 

I can get through this. I have to. Maybe the four-leaf clover I found recently will help.

Book 14: Votes for Women American Suffragists and the Battle for the Ballot by Winifred Conkling

This is a good overview of the struggle for women's suffrage. I was familiar with most of the suffragists from a course I took in college, Women and American Society and a suffrage lecture series. I still learned some new things.

This is a book for "Young Readers" which I didn't realize when I picked it up. It wasn't that noticeable--it didn't detract form the history. I really enjoyed the photographs, drawings, and political cartoons that Conkling included. 

Rally for Abortion Justice

Last Saturday October 2, I participated in a rally for abortion justice. We met on a bridge heading into the main shopping area of Westport, CT. We waved our signs, chanted "My body, my choice," "Mister, Mister, keep your laws off my sister," and "We won't go back," and cheered as passing motorists beeped at us. We were most encouraged by truck and bus drivers beeping to show their support. 

At first, I was annoyed that the organizers expected us to bring banners. Then I figured out what would work for me. I played around with sizes and fonts on my pc and printed out two 8.5 x 11 pages: one read "Abortion is Healthcare," and the second read "Keep Abortion Legal." I glued them on 9 x 12 mixed media pages. Next I taped them to a yardstick, so I had a two sided sign. My sign (not me) made the local News 12 telecast.

Here are two of my favorite signs from the rally.  I cropped out the people because I don't have permission to use them in my blog.

                "When government controls decisions for her, she is being treated as 

           less than a fully adult human, responsible for her own choices."

Other favorites:

"Hey GOP I'm only three but I already know it's my body."

"Nevertheless, she persisted."

There were a few signs with coat hanger imagery, "I Stand with Planned Parenthood" (I had this on a bumper sticker on my last car) and "My body my choice." I think I was the only one with "Abortion is Healthcare."

I only saw three people in cars who gave us a thumbs down. Many cars just drove by, but many beeped in support or waved. 

Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal showed up with a local candidate I didn't know (I don't live in Westport.)

I hope the politicians paid attention to us and all of the rallies across the nation.

Keep Abortion Legal.

Abortion is Healthcare. 

Thursday Thoughts

My writing class was suspended this week. We are on the Norwalk Public Library calendar even though we are meeting on Zoom. It's just as well because I didn't write much last week. I wasn't happy with my story last week. I tried for whimsical and failed. Our next assignment due next Monday is based on this photo.

I rejected my first idea and played around with a second. I think I wrote a few paragraphs on Wednesday, then finished a first draft on Monday. I like this story much better than last week's.

I'm halfway done with my collage/mixed media class. I'm really enjoying it. As I said before, I'm the least trained and experienced artist in the class, but I am learning new techniques, getting new ideas, and having fun. I used acrylic paint for the first time; it's nothing earth-shaking, but it is new for me.

I like (most of) the pieces I've worked on, and the instructor is encouraging and praising me. This week I painted an old cigar box I've had for years with cerulean blue--I need to paint one more side and the bottom to complete the paint job.  I'll look through clippings, photos, etc. to try to figure out my next steps.

Last night was the last session of the suffrage series. Overall, I'm disappointed. The first session was excellent. In the second, the speaker (same as the first) wasn't as focused. The third sessions featured two guest speakers who personally knew suffragist Alice Paul (who had been a Ridgefield resident at one time.) Both were interesting, The first had limited knowledge of Alice--she had met her as a 16-year old. The second speaker had more information but kept repeating the same things over and over. The last session was a discussion. It was supposed to be about the movie, Iron Jawed Angels, but that is currently only available on HBO Max. Instead the discussion was about various prejudices some of the participants faced as women. Again, it was interesting, but unfocused. Still worthwhile. 

Votes for Women: The Long and Winding Road

Tonight I listened to the first of four installments of this program presented by the Ridgefield Library and the Ridgefield Historical Society.

This session focused on the background to and the work of the first wave of suffragettes from Seneca Falls and beyond. I was happy to hear about the contributions of Lucretia Mott, who is often neglected in these discussions, and that she was the first woman VP candidate in US history (I didn't know that.)

I only found out about this program after I bought some suffrage stickers, a pin, and a magnet from The History List, a website I found by chance. 

Can't wait to learn more about Alice Paul.

100 Years for NY Women

One hundred years ago today, New York State passed a constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote. This vote may have lead to the passage of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution three years later.

A hundred years. In some ways a blink of an eye. In another, a lifetime.

Tomorrow is election day in Norwalk. I will exercise my right to vote.

Black Friday

Donald Trump is now President of the United States.

I fear for people of color, immigrants, Muslims and women of child-bearing age.

Hell, I fear for all of us.

Today's Holidays

August 26 is National Dog Day. I'm all for honoring dogs. Spike is an integral part of our lives. Almost every day, I read a story of how a rescue dog saved a person or family. Dogs rule!

Today is also Women's Equality Day in honor of women (finally) getting the right to vote. I was a bit confused because I just wrote about the anniversary of women's suffrage. Apparently, August 18th was the day the amendment was ratified; today was the day that the amendment was certified. Hey, more celebration is always good.

Happy Anniversary Women Voters!

It's been 95 years since the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, was ratified. We don't honor the suffragists enough for their hard work and sacrifice.

Thank you.

Is Texas Bizarro World?

Bizarro World is ruled by a Bizarro Code in which everything is the opposite of Earthly things. I learned about this through Elaine's experience on Seinfeld.

Today the Texas legislature had its own Bizarro Code--outlawing tampons while allowing guns. Yes, it's true.

I just don't know what to say. Trying to silence women isn't enough. Let's search women for feminine hygiene products and confiscate those products.

I guess in Texas it's hunting season on women.

This is Freedom?

Today is Independence Day, a day when we celebrate our freedom, our independence from Great Britain.

What's happened to our freedoms lately?

We've discovered that our government is is spying on us.

The Supreme Court's ruling on the Voting Rights Act threatens the right to vote.

Are you a woman? Your rights to safe, legal medical care are threatened in
Texas, North Carolina, Ohio and--oh hell--everywhere. And we're supposed to remain silent as our rights are being systematically destroyed.

At least this is good news.

Four Years After Dr. George Tiller

We won't forget how you were gunned down in your church.

Please read this. As usual, Melissa McEwan breaks it down logically and eloquently.

Life Without Roe

I am following up on yesterday's post about the anniversary of Roe v. Wade because I wanted to link to this post and this article.

Fear and desperation.

40 Years

Today is the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade. I have been lucky enough to have been part of the generation that has had legal access to abortion. At least in theory.

No one aspires to have an abortion (despite what Rush Limbaugh says--I don't even want to look for that link.)  But the absence of abortion rights means forced birth.

Even worse is that people who want to outlaw abortion are also looking to limit or outlaw contraception. They don't care that access to contraception reduces the number of abortions; they want to control women.

Outlawing contraception will not lead to a more "moral" nation--whatever that means. It will lead to unwanted pregnancies, fear and desperation.

Prohibiting abortion will not stop abortion. It will just kill women. 

Seneca Falls, Selma and Stonewall

President Obama was re-inaugurated for his second term today. I didn't hear his entire speech but caught part of it in the car.

From the full text courtesy of CNN:                 

We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths –- that all of us are created equal –- is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall; just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone; to hear a King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth.

After the President's re-election in November, there was some grumbling from the right that Obama didn't really have much of a mandate. Apparently, he didn't have enough of the white, male, middle class vote.

Only someone blind to his own privilege could make such a comment.

Last I checked all votes were equal.

Seneca Falls, Selma and Stonewall: let's stand together.

The Post-Election Post

I've read many posts today analyzing the election results.

Here's one by CNN and another from the Atlantic.

This is Melissa McEwan's perspective.

Perhaps Republicans doomed themselves by revealing their real agenda.  We were listening.

Jezebel pulls no punches here.

Women, Latinos, blacks and the young: we are the new coalition.

Day of the Girl

Today is the first International Day of the Girl. Its mission: “To help galvanize worldwide enthusiasm for goals to better girls’ lives, providing an opportunity for them to show leadership and reach their full potential.”

To many of us in the US, it's hard to comprehend that girls going to school is a radical idea. I also never had to think about how to avoid child marriage. Ending child marriage is this year's theme.

I linked to Melissa's post on Shakesville because she has the best discussion I've seen on the topic, especially child marriage. The story disappeared from the CNN website.

Sigh. It's easier to count gaffes in tonight's VP debates.

Three Years Ago

He died for me, for all women. He died because he believed in women; he believed we could make our own choices; he believed that we deserved self-determination.

RIP Dr. George Tiller http://abortiongang.org/2012/05/honoring-dr-tiller-a-collective-remembrance/

Thank You Suffragists

American history, according to high school, is calm; things just flow along--then there's a big war--and then things just gradually grow better. Ta-da!

High school history would be much more interesting if schools taught the messy violent reality.

Recently we watched Iron Jawed Angels, a HBO movie about US suffragists. I had seen parts of it and have had it saved on our DVR for over a year.

Less than one hundred years ago, women were denied the simple act of voting. Most of us take this right for granted (Ann Coulter thinks women shouldn't vote--don't take anything for granted.)

Alice Paul and Lucy Burns among others were tortured for trying to gain these rights. Iron Jawed Angels focused on Alice Paul (Hillary Swank.) While Patrick Dempsey is likeable as the semi-romantic lead, the subplot detracts from the main exciting plot. More coverage of the Night of Terror would have been welcome. We did see a beautiful (unfortunately true) scene in which Lucy's cuffed hands are hung over the jailhouse door. Her fellow suffragists hold their own arms up in protest of her treatment.

What these women sacrificed for us should not be ignored. They should be praised and celebrated in our textbooks.