It's the late 1800s, and John Ogilvie Stevenson, pastor of the Congregational Church in Waterloo, Iowa, believes women are equal to men intellectually, and superior to men morally and spiritually. During a sermon on temperance, wherein he advocates laws to shut down the saloons, he is struck with the irony that his audiences are composed mostly of women--that segment of the citizenry who cannot vote. Thus begins his campaign for women's suffrage. A large portion of the public believes a woman's place is in the home, that she has no business in politics, and probably isn't smart enough to vote.
Every two years the state legislature considers putting an amendment on the ballot for a public vote on the issue and time after time it doesn't get that far. The Reverend John Stevenson never gives up. Through the triumphs and tragedies of his own personal life, he is determined to forge the path to progress.
About the Author :
Flora Beach Burlingame has had three careers: Motherhood (on-going), Paralegal (retired), and Journalist/writer (on-going). She has lived in various California locations and currently resides in beautiful, western Washington State. During career #3 she won awards for her short stories, published free-lance magazine articles, and served as contributing editor for the Mariposa Museum and History Center's quarterly newsletter. For a number of years, she wrote a column and features for The Fresno Bee, a major California newspaper, and during that time was commissioned by The Bee to write a hundred years of history on three California counties for a Centennial edition. Flora's interest in history came from her father, a high school history teacher, who she says, "always knew the history of anywhere we traveled." Stories of the past dominate Flora's writing. Though Path of Progress is a novel, it is based on actual sermons and writings of her great grandfather.
Review :
PRAISE FOR
Path of Progress
PATH OF PROGRESS shares the life of John Ogilvie Stevenson, a man from the 1800s, whose beliefs and values were before his time. The book reminds us that the year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of a woman's right to vote. As a champion of woman suffrage, the Reverend Stevenson's written thoughts and quotes throughout the book add charm to the story. The great pride the author has for her great grandfather is evident, and one is left with the reminder that each of us can do something to make the world a better place. A book that should be read by anyone who believes in human rights.
LORI OLIVER-TIERNEY
Author of
TRUDGE
A MIDLIFE CRISIS ON THE JOHN MUIR TRAIL
Based on the life of the author's great-grandfather, PATH OF PROGRESS personifies a national political movement through the life of one remarkable man. Through extensive research, Flora Beach Burlingame recreates the atmosphere and language of the time, seamlessly incorporating quotes from the real John Stevenson's letters, sermons, and editorials. Here is history with a heart and a purpose that remains important, and still needed, in 2018.
ANGELICA SHIRLEY CARPENTER, Curator Emerita
Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children's Literature
California State University, Fresno
Angelicacarpenter.com
Author of
BORN CRIMINAL: MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE,
RADICAL SUFFRAGIST
