No Stone Unturned: The Life and Times of Maggie Kuhn

by Maggie Kuhn, Christina Long, Laura Quinn

Maggie Kuhn (August 3, 1905 – April 22, 1995) was an American activist known for founding the Gray Panthers movement in August 1970, after being forced into retirement by the Presbyterian Church. The Gray Panthers became known for advocating nursing home reform and fighting ageism, claiming that "old people and women constitute America's biggest untapped and undervalued human energy source." She also dedicated her life to fighting for human rights, social and economic justice, global peace, integration, and an understanding of mental health issues. For decades she combined her activism with caring for her disabled mother and a brother who suffered from mental illness. Kuhn wrote her autobiography, No Stone Unturned, in 1991. Four years later, she died of cardiac arrest in Philadelphia at the age of 89.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

234 pages, Hardcover

First published October 23, 1991

Reviews

[Karen Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! After Maggie Kuhn was ordered to retire, she realized this was not only her issue (she wanted to keep working), but also for many others. She was given a sewing machine (that she never used). Her brother wanted her to take care of him. Instead, she got help for her brother and help for many others when she started the Gray Panthers...an organization that fights ageism (one "ism" we will all get if we live long enough).

Born in 1905, she was ahead of her time in many ways, as this excerpt shows:
"I had always found attracting men easy, almost effortless. I enjoyed male companionship immensely and felt free to enjoy sex. But I had an independent streak. I didn't need a man in my life all the time. I enjoyed a good love affair, but when it was over I was never devastated by the breakup. Salacious as it may sound, I always thought - on to the next!"

When she was in her 70s, that included a relationship with a man in his 20s...50 years her junior. "Why is it that the pairing of an older man with a younger woman is approved of, while an older woman with a younger man is frowned upon?"

She sounds like quite a woman.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last 1/2 or so was the most compelling and the only part that seemed to have real emotion and passion behind it. The middle was extremely boring and seemingly random in the book talking about the Presbyterian church. Maggie was such a progressive and ahead of her time. It is amazing the changes that happened she worked toward and the work that still needs to be done.

[Maureen]

Did not finish

[Carol Mann Agency]

Founder of the Grey Panthers. A group championing the role of the elderly as never before.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and deliciously candid memoir of a fascinating woman ahead of her time. One day, Maggie, one day.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memoir of the woman who founded The Gray Panthers, an activist group run by the elderly for the elderly. Published in 1991 but still quite relevant.