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Driving the Vote for Women: An American Journey for Suffrage
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 27, 2024
This book was recommended to me by a friend—very happily. It’s the fascinating account of two women’s bold trip around the entire United States in 1916, driving a small, run-about automobile over roads that were sometimes little more than wagon tracks. Their goal was to promote women’s suffrage, and there’s little question that the example of their pluck and determination—together with the compelling speeches they delivered at every crossroads—contributed hugely to the momentum that brought home the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920.
There’s a little Amelia Earhart and a lot of Lewis and Clark in the story Jeryl Schriever pulls from the enthusiastic national newspaper coverage of the time, sensibly supplemented here and there by informative historical “sidebars.” There’s much to be learned and appreciated about visionaries who put their personal comfort—and even their lives—at risk for what they believe. I’d forgotten the United States was effectively at war with Mexico in 1916 in the aftermath of one of Pancho Villa’s raids. To see Alice Burke and Nell Richardson (and their “co-campaigning” black kitten, Saxon) bouncing along the Mexican border with the occasional bullet flying by their little yellow roadster was to thrill to a fascinating, if little-known, chapter of American history. Strongly recommended for anyone interested in American social history and in the indomitable human spirit.
There’s a little Amelia Earhart and a lot of Lewis and Clark in the story Jeryl Schriever pulls from the enthusiastic national newspaper coverage of the time, sensibly supplemented here and there by informative historical “sidebars.” There’s much to be learned and appreciated about visionaries who put their personal comfort—and even their lives—at risk for what they believe. I’d forgotten the United States was effectively at war with Mexico in 1916 in the aftermath of one of Pancho Villa’s raids. To see Alice Burke and Nell Richardson (and their “co-campaigning” black kitten, Saxon) bouncing along the Mexican border with the occasional bullet flying by their little yellow roadster was to thrill to a fascinating, if little-known, chapter of American history. Strongly recommended for anyone interested in American social history and in the indomitable human spirit.
October 1, 2024
A fascinating and very entertaining book about 2 women who went across the U.S. in 1916 from coast to coast and back in a yellow Saxon roadster advocating for women's suffrage. They drove over 10,700 miles on rough roads that were often not more than dirt paths.
Along the way in towns and cities they made speeches, many times standing in their car on a street in where they had stopped. They were resourceful, dedicated and fierce advocates that women should have the right to vote.
The book combines newspaper articles describing the stops on their trips, the hazards they encountered and the speeches they made with insightful commentary by the author.
Along the way in towns and cities they made speeches, many times standing in their car on a street in where they had stopped. They were resourceful, dedicated and fierce advocates that women should have the right to vote.
The book combines newspaper articles describing the stops on their trips, the hazards they encountered and the speeches they made with insightful commentary by the author.
April 28, 2025
My only complaint about this book was that it was TOO SHORT! I want to know much more about Ms. Burke and Ms. Richardson. A fascinating account of two enterprising and intrepid women. Someone needs to fill in the gaps, please.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews