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The Triumph of Rosemary
Baby Rosemary - born to an Italian teen and a married black man in Detroit in 1946 - is adopted from an agency by a black couple in Saginaw, Michigan. The adoptive mother's abuse instills in the girl, whom they name Marylin Elnora, ambition to achieve great things on her own. At age 19, Marylin sparks a racial and religious scandal by marrying former Roman Catholic priest Thomas Lee Atkins, who is white and 25 years older. Poor in finances but rich in love, they have two biracial daughters, Elizabeth Ann Atkins and Catherine Marie Atkins Greenspan, who look white. Team work makes the family's dream work as Marylin attends the University of Detroit School of Law at night while she and Tom work full time; he becomes "Mr. Mom" - taking the high-achieving girls to lessons for swim, piano, and skiing. He journals nightly, inspiring the girls' passion for reading and writing.
All the while, family rifts in the wake of their interracial union begin to heal, fostering harmony and healing. The family's lifestyle includes friendships and associations with people of a cornucopia of race, religion, and culture, as Tom even serves as president of an American Indian association.
Marylin becomes an attorney, putting the girls through the University of Michigan. Sadly, Tom dies before seeing the girls earn graduate degrees in writing from Columbia University and University of San Francisco. And he never saw Marylin's illustrious and highly respected career as a judge, which included 12 years as chief judge of Detroit's 36th District Court.
The Triumph of Rosemary's vivid dialogue, raw revelations, and heartwarming messages will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate the power of one woman to pioneer a place for herself and her family in a sometimes unwelcoming world that ultimately embraced and celebrated her family's legacy of colorblind love.
All the while, family rifts in the wake of their interracial union begin to heal, fostering harmony and healing. The family's lifestyle includes friendships and associations with people of a cornucopia of race, religion, and culture, as Tom even serves as president of an American Indian association.
Marylin becomes an attorney, putting the girls through the University of Michigan. Sadly, Tom dies before seeing the girls earn graduate degrees in writing from Columbia University and University of San Francisco. And he never saw Marylin's illustrious and highly respected career as a judge, which included 12 years as chief judge of Detroit's 36th District Court.
The Triumph of Rosemary's vivid dialogue, raw revelations, and heartwarming messages will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate the power of one woman to pioneer a place for herself and her family in a sometimes unwelcoming world that ultimately embraced and celebrated her family's legacy of colorblind love.
- GenresNonfictionMemoirAdoption
268 pages, Paperback
Published October 30, 2017
4 people are currently reading
939 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 27, 2018
The law is seen as a formidable profession by many, offering ethical dilemmas aplenty, but it is also a field that attracts the finest minds and spirits of the nation. Such a one is retired longest serving chief judge of Detroit's 36th District Court, Judge Marylin E. Atkins, whose insightful memoir provides fascinating details of a biracial woman who managed to emerge from an abused background to become a loving mother of two highly gifted girls, whom she managed to put through university after the death of her husband, former Roman Catholic priest Thomas Lee Atkins, twenty-five years her senior. Atkins’ chief attributes, apart from her faith in an omniscient and omnipotent God, are her undaunted spirit and her determination to overcome the odds, even when they all seem stacked against her.
The prejudice and discrimination that Atkins has had to overcome in her lifetime would have discouraged many less doughty souls to give up the struggle to live life as they saw fit, in accordance with a set of high principles and a powerfully moral, yet not moralistic, outlook on life. Her deep-seated commitment to forging the best way forward not only for herself, but also for those whom she has loved, and, in many cases, whom she continues to love, should serve to make her a prominent role model for others who have also found adversity threatening to impede their way forward, whether on the domestic front or in the workplace.
The Triumph of Rosemary: A Memoir is amply illustrated with black-and-white photos of Atkins and her family throughout their life, which amply illustrate the joy and camaraderie that radiate therefrom. Likewise, the portraits well illuminate the measured tone and cadence of the text, which has an integrity all of its own. Atkins’ use of subheadings throughout the chapters helps direct the reader along the path of the straightforward chronological narrative, which leaves no stone and obstacle unturned and inspected from afar as the author, at the age of 71, regales us with the rich and deeply poignant tale of her personal evolution from adopted child to one of the most prominent legal figures in Detroit’s history.
Truly, The Triumph of Rosemary (which, by the way, is the name given to her by her adoptive mom) is a work well worth reading, and Atkins’ fluent writing style does much to complement her story. An ideal choice for any enlightened book club that is interested in coming to grips with the mores of a changing society in the second half of the twentieth century, this heart-searing memoir should elicit many a memory of past challenges brought about by living in a society that struggled, at times, to come to grips with its own multicultural diversity.
The prejudice and discrimination that Atkins has had to overcome in her lifetime would have discouraged many less doughty souls to give up the struggle to live life as they saw fit, in accordance with a set of high principles and a powerfully moral, yet not moralistic, outlook on life. Her deep-seated commitment to forging the best way forward not only for herself, but also for those whom she has loved, and, in many cases, whom she continues to love, should serve to make her a prominent role model for others who have also found adversity threatening to impede their way forward, whether on the domestic front or in the workplace.
The Triumph of Rosemary: A Memoir is amply illustrated with black-and-white photos of Atkins and her family throughout their life, which amply illustrate the joy and camaraderie that radiate therefrom. Likewise, the portraits well illuminate the measured tone and cadence of the text, which has an integrity all of its own. Atkins’ use of subheadings throughout the chapters helps direct the reader along the path of the straightforward chronological narrative, which leaves no stone and obstacle unturned and inspected from afar as the author, at the age of 71, regales us with the rich and deeply poignant tale of her personal evolution from adopted child to one of the most prominent legal figures in Detroit’s history.
Truly, The Triumph of Rosemary (which, by the way, is the name given to her by her adoptive mom) is a work well worth reading, and Atkins’ fluent writing style does much to complement her story. An ideal choice for any enlightened book club that is interested in coming to grips with the mores of a changing society in the second half of the twentieth century, this heart-searing memoir should elicit many a memory of past challenges brought about by living in a society that struggled, at times, to come to grips with its own multicultural diversity.
June 4, 2019
This is so unusual because normally I am wary of self-published books, but this one is worth the read--truly!! The Triumph of Rosemary is the story of an adopted bi-racial girl who marries a former Catholic priest 25 years her senior, goes to law school and works her way up to Chief Judge of Detroit's 36th District Court.
Fabulous story!
And by the end you will just love Rosemary. She's inspiring and funny! Highly highly recommend.
Fabulous story!
And by the end you will just love Rosemary. She's inspiring and funny! Highly highly recommend.
March 13, 2023
A very important story, but poorly written.
January 12, 2019
Thank you JKS for the copy of this remarkable read - all opinions are my own.
Sometimes you just stumble on a truly wonderful, tremendous read and those are days (and books) I am very grateful for.
Judge Marylin E. Atkins who is the retired longest serving chief judge of Detroit's 36th District Court, wrote this incredible memoir, sharing the very raw realities of race and religion and how they intersected with her own life.
This book is truly something of a revelation, with the beautiful writing, the insightful and sometimes heartbreaking stories, and above all else, the strength and resilience one woman shows in the face of adversity. I love a story that is a platform for remarkable women, and this is exactly everything I could ask for on that front.
I generally burn through books quickly, but I found myself slowing right down to really enjoy and absorb this book, page by page. It felt very much like having a coffee with a dear friend and reminiscing about all the events in a life. This book made me laugh and cry and left me feeling so inspired, and what more could you really want in a memoir?
If you are a reader who is looking for something unexpected, beautiful, moving and inspirational all in one small book, this is truly the read for you. This will be a book that I recommend, gift and share for many, many years to come.
Sometimes you just stumble on a truly wonderful, tremendous read and those are days (and books) I am very grateful for.
Judge Marylin E. Atkins who is the retired longest serving chief judge of Detroit's 36th District Court, wrote this incredible memoir, sharing the very raw realities of race and religion and how they intersected with her own life.
This book is truly something of a revelation, with the beautiful writing, the insightful and sometimes heartbreaking stories, and above all else, the strength and resilience one woman shows in the face of adversity. I love a story that is a platform for remarkable women, and this is exactly everything I could ask for on that front.
I generally burn through books quickly, but I found myself slowing right down to really enjoy and absorb this book, page by page. It felt very much like having a coffee with a dear friend and reminiscing about all the events in a life. This book made me laugh and cry and left me feeling so inspired, and what more could you really want in a memoir?
If you are a reader who is looking for something unexpected, beautiful, moving and inspirational all in one small book, this is truly the read for you. This will be a book that I recommend, gift and share for many, many years to come.
October 9, 2018
The Triumph of Rosemary is absolutely stunning on so many levels. Judge Marylin E. Atkins takes her readers on a behind-the-scene tour of her life, from her early adoption to her teenage years to her journey to become an esteemed judge in Detroit and beyond. Judge Aktins is certainly humble in tone, but she has SO much to be proud of in her life, overcoming great obstacles to achieve success both personally and professionally. Her unwavering determination and strong-willed spirit are inspiring.
October 10, 2018
Rarely can readers get the chance to learn such an interesting story. I loved reading every page of Marylin Atkins's journey! It inspired me to see learn how a woman who faced so much adversity was able to succeed and hold such a powerful position in her state. Young girls can learn so much by reading her book. Please share this remarkable story with everyone you know.
October 10, 2018
The Triumph of Rosemary is an amazing story of strength and overcoming adversity. Atkins's story gives a beautiful timeline of her rocky childhood, her controversial marriage to a Catholic priest, and her path to becoming the Chief Judge of the 36th District Court in Detriot. Readers will be inspired by this heartwarming, empowering tale.
September 28, 2018
Judge Marilyn E. Atkins life sounds like something dreamt up in a Hollywood studio. The book opens with her realization that she was adopted, and sustains that level of gripping story-telling throughout. Her story is absolutely nothing short of inspiring, and I would recommend this book to anyone. 10/10
June 3, 2018
Absolutely brilliant......a love that endured although the couple were 25 years apart and of different color....so masterfully presented....I laughed, I cried, I enjoyed.
February 16, 2019
Loved!
Marilyn I loved your story of triumph? I grew up on 12th the youngest sister of Ricky Wilson. Always admired you!
Marilyn I loved your story of triumph? I grew up on 12th the youngest sister of Ricky Wilson. Always admired you!
July 25, 2022
This book is remarkable.
I couldn't believe the perseverance of the author as she overcame multiple obstacles and hardships.
This book would be great for teens and college students.
This book addresses racial injustice head on especially in regard to marriage laws that were unfair and prejudice that was rampant.
I applaud Marilyn for her bravery in detailing everything in this book and hope they are successful in turning it into a movie!
I couldn't believe the perseverance of the author as she overcame multiple obstacles and hardships.
This book would be great for teens and college students.
This book addresses racial injustice head on especially in regard to marriage laws that were unfair and prejudice that was rampant.
I applaud Marilyn for her bravery in detailing everything in this book and hope they are successful in turning it into a movie!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews