A is for Abigail [antikvár]

TT M I 11111 111 M 11111 111 11 II M n tiie and In Abigail Adams's time, women could not go to college, become professionals, own property once they were married, or vote. The transformation of women's lives from then to now is one of our great national narratives, an inspiring story that our children deserve to know. I especially hope this book wiU help them learn about the women who brought about the transformation, whether it's Abigail Adams telling John to "remember the ladies" and seeing to her own daughter's education, Mary McLeod Bethune starting a school for African-American girls, or Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony devoting their lives to securing the vote. There is also another story to tell, and that's of the amazing things women have achieved, often before their rights and capabilities were fully recognized. I think of Abigail Adams, who, without legal or political sway, managed to support her family financially by running the Adams farm; of Harriet Tubman, born enslaved, freeing herself and hundreds of others from slavery; of Rosalyn Yalow, ignoring stereotypes about women's scientific abilities and doing the work that would win a Nobel Prize. Often there were encouraging parents behind these women achievers. William Mitchell set his daughter Maria on the path to becoming a famed astronomer by teaching her to study the stars. Novelist Zora Neale Hurstoris mother, Lucy, urged her children to have high aspirations by telling them to jump at the sun. Reaching high and working hard are recurring themes in the lives of those in this book, and so, too, are being brave, never giving up, and caring deeply about the welfare of others. America's amazing women have much to teach our children—and much inspiration to offer us, as well. rm 11 , I , I ,, I I I II M T I II I I ' I I I II I I II n I I 1 11 I III 11 I rr