6/8/2023 0 Comments History smashers mayflowerAs you can imagine, Black women thought that was a pretty crummy invitation. Black women who wanted to attend were told they should march in their own group, in the back. Why would anybody argue against their own right to vote? But in those days, the idea of women being involved in politics was new and scary to people. It seems like such a good idea, doesn't it? How could anyone argue with that? But. Middle grade readers will be drawn to Messner's voice. And it became more dangerous towards the end when activists were jailed and beaten but kept showing up to picket in front of the White House for what must have seemed like forever to President Wilson (who finally capitulated). Messner makes clear how this multi-decade endeavor clearly was difficult for all involved. (And this harder conversation is not a sidebar in the book instead it is a theme throughout the book. Anthony, Messner does not shy away from harder conversations about how some activists wanted voting rights for ALL Americans and some activists believed new voting rights should be reserved for educated white women. While highlighting the powerful work of activists like Lucretia Mott and Susan B. Definitely a "history smasher" and SMASH hit! Messner draws readers into a conversation that unpacks the complexities (messiness and all) of this movement.
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