Barbara Egger Lennon

Praise for Barbara Egger Lennon "This biography of Barbara Egger Lennon artfully demonstrates how the New Woman impacted the lives of individual women who had to negotiate the demands of family and friends as they moved toward the independence and autonomous thinking the New Woman celebrated. Lennon's long career as an educator and labor activist is a shining example of how the New Woman carried her identity into the workplace and in very important ways generated change for teachers throughout Illinois." --Tonia M. Compton, assistant professor of History, Columbia College of Missouri "This study adds an interesting tessera to the mosaic that is contemporary women's history. Originating in the diary of Barbara Egger Lennon and against the backdrop of modern social history, it also substantiates the claim that the personal is indeed political. Brakebill's book is an object lesson and a source of inspiration, offering us a valuable insight into the life of an otherwise neglected front-runner as a daughter, wife, mother, teacher, union organizer, and political activist." --Wanda Balzano, Department Chair and Associate Professor in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Wake Forest University "The impressive job Brakebill does with her deep research is documenting the daily life triumphs and woes of a woman who cut a path through social expectations... This well-written local history is a snapshot of women's lives in the early 20th century and deserves a place on your shelf." --Grand Prairie Union News Praise for the Lives of American Women series "Finally! The majority of students--by which I mean women--will have the opportunity to read biographies of women from our nation's past. (Men can read them too, of course!) The 'Lives of American Women' series features an eclectic collection of books, readily accessible to students who will be able to see the contributions of women in many fields over the course of our history. Long overdue, these books will be a valuable resource for teachers, students, and the public at large." --Cokie Roberts, author of Founding Mothers and Ladies of Liberty "Just what any professor wants: books that will intrigue, inform, and fascinate students! These short, readable biographies of American women--specifically designed for classroom use--give instructors an appealing new option to assign to their history students." --Mary Beth Norton, Mary Donlon Alger Professor of American History, Cornell University "For educators keen to include women in the American story, but hampered by the lack of thoughtful, concise scholarship, here comes 'Lives of American Women,' embracing Abigail Adams's counsel to John--'remember the ladies.' And high time, too!" --Lesley S. Herrmann, Executive Director, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History "These books are, above all, fascinating stories that will engage and inspire readers. They offer a glimpse into the lives of key women in history who either defied tradition or who successfully maneuvered in a man's world to make an impact. The stories of these vital contributors to American history deliver just the right formula for instructors looking to provide a more complicated and nuanced view of history." --Rosanne Lichatin, 2005 Gilder Lehrman Preserve America History Teacher of the Year "Students both in the general survey course and in specialized offerings like my course on U.S. women's history can get a great understanding of an era from a short biography. Learning a lot about a single but complex character really helps to deepen appreciation of what women's lives were like in the past." --Patricia Cline Cohen, University of California, Santa Barbara