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Cathy C. Hallhttps://cathychall.wordpress.com/I write, write, write. Then I rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. THEN I submit all those polished-up words out into the world and sell 'em. It's a plan that's worked pretty well.

Finding Something Friday Looks at Lucy Burns and Alice Paul

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When I read the email from my friend, Sue (Thanks, Sue!), I knew I’d found something special in Lucy Burns and Alice Paul. And I’d like to take this occasion to thank Lucy and Alice, too.

I’m ashamed to say I’d never heard of these courageous suffragists who struggled mightily for women to have the right to vote. Red-haired, Irish Catholic, Lucy (a woman after me own heart) picketed the White House, advising a vote against Woodrow Wilson. Woodrow and the police didn’t care much for that idea and threw Lucy and Alice and others of the female persuasion into the hoosegow.

Which is bad enough in itself. But when you throw in a few beatings and other brutal behaviors perpetrated on these women on a November evening in 1917, then you’ve got your Night of Terror and a couple of heroines who survived it all. And who ultimately went on to win that vote for women in 1920. You can read more about their ordeal here.

Why don’t we know about Lucy Burns and Alice Paul? Maybe because teachers, journalists and writers haven’t spread the word. Those of us of the female persuasion owe a debt of gratitude to the women who fought for the 19th amendment. And if I can share their early 20th century story through this wonderful 21st century medium, then maybe that’s one way I can thank Lucy and Alice. Rest in peace, sisters.

Let’s Hear it for First Book

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First Book is asking everyone, “Do you remember the magic of your first book?” If you do, you can tell them all about it. And while you’re at it, you can vote for your state (or another state, if you so choose) to receive 50,000 new books from First Book. Yeah, baby, 50,000 books!

And another thing. You can read what celebrities chose as the first book they remembered…people like Kenny Chesney, Chipper Jones and John Smoltz, John Lithgow and Emma Thompson, and yes, even children’s book authors like Judy Blume.

The first book I remember reading and loving was “A Pickle for a Nickel.” I don’t know who wrote it, but whoever it was captured my child heart forever. That was the beginning of my love affair with reading.

Imagine writing a book that opens the door to reading for a child! But even if you haven’t written that book yet, you can still open the door to reading for a child. Go vote at First Book now… time is running out (deadline September 15th)!