Inspiration | Cathy C. Hall Writes

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.

Okay, yes, Clyde Edgerton and the big book festival have packed up and left town now. But that doesn’t mean we can’t learn a few lessons, grasshopper, on how one should go about “doing” a big three-day event.

Maybe you thought you would drive to the venue and find a great parking place. Next time, take whatever public transportation is available in your neighborhood. I learned my lesson from last year when I pulled into a parking garage that was FULL and had to pay five bucks to get out. So, this time around, I was smarta and took MARTA.

And don’t whine because you arrived extra early (like I did) and stood in line (like I did) so that you could see your favorite author, Bailey White (like I did) only to find out that there was no room left in the venue. Because you’re bound to find another author, right around the corner, just as funny (like I did)! In fact, I found three authors: John T. Edge, Clyde Edgerton and John Egerton. And seriously, those guys were a hoot and a half! (I think I just got a little paradoxical there.) So don’t get all bent out of shape if you can’t see the one you love. Love the author you’re with, grasshopper. Like I did with good old John Egerton, there. Or is that John T. Edge? Um, well, that guy in the picture, whoever he is, was darn entertaining!

And do not judge a talk by its title. Because, frankly, I was not too keen when I saw “Of Hissy Fits and Hairdos.” But Celia Rivenbark made me laugh out loud. And Doug Crandall, who was stuck in that room with all that estrogen, made me laugh out loud, too.

And if you were silly enough not to wear decent walking shoes for trekking up one end of Decatur to the next… well, honestly, grasshopper, that’s exactly how a hissy fit gets started. Right, Doug?