6.30.2019

Gloria Takes a Stand

How Gloria Steinem
Listened, Wrote,
and Changed the World

Bloomsbury Children's Books
(pub. 3.12.2019) 
48 pages

A True Tale with
A Cherry On Top   

A uthor:  Jessica M. Rinker
 and illustrator: Daria Peoples-Riley
 
C haracter: Gloria Steinem

O
 verview
     "As a young girl, Gloria Steinem thought for herself and spoke her mind. She read many books by her favorite authors and imagined herself as the heroine of the story.
           Gloria wished.
              She read.
           And imagined.
But Gloria grew up during a time when women were not encouraged, or even allowed, to do a lot of the things men could do: go to college, get a job, open a bank account, and more. There were restrictions that made it impossible for women to be independent or equal to men. So, Gloria set out to change that...
     From an unconventional childhood, to Smith College, to Ms. magazine, to the women's liberation movement to feminist icon, Gloria Takes a Stand brings to the page a spirited look at Gloria Steinem's influential life...

T antalizing taste: 
     "After she came back to the United States [after traveling in India after college] and began looking for a job, Gloria heard, Some jobs are for women, but most are for men. She heard, You should be a secretary or a teacher.
     But Gloria wanted to decide for herself what job she would take. She became a journalist and wrote articles for magazines and newspapers. Everywhere she traveled for her job, people talked to her about their lives. Gloria listened to their hopes and dreams and asked them what they wished were different. She learned so much by talking to the people she met every day. She said, 'Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing anything else."

And something more: Jessica M. Rinker's Author's Note explains "What amazes me the most about Gloria is that she saw and heard the expectations many people had about women but she had her own ideas about how to live her life. This independent thinking on her part, as well as other women of the time, is what began a revolution.
     The choices she made contributed to the creation of the women's movement, which helped all women gain the ability to make their own choices as well...
     There are so many stories of women who have been part of this great movement. Gloria became the voice of all the women she met, the writer of many important stories. Gloria's story is only one.
     But it's a good one."

6 comments:

2Shaye ♪♫ said...

I'm so glad to hear of this new book about Gloria Steinem. It looks like a great resource! Thanks for sharing, Jeanne!

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

Hi 2Shaye, Yes, I agree that it's a great resource for children about Gloria Steinem and the Women's Movement.
Thanks for stopping by! I always appreciate it.

Linda B said...

She was a model for many in those early years. I hope many younger women read her story, too. Thanks, Jeanne.

Cheriee Weichel said...

A couple of years ago I read My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem. I'll be looking forward to reading this book for younger readers.
We need more books like this.

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

Hi Linda,
Yes, I agree with you. I too hope younger generations read about her and learn about the work of so many of that era.
Thanks for stopping by!

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

Hi Cheriee,
I forgot about that book -- I would like to read MY LIFE ON THE ROAD. Thanks for mentioning it.
And yes, I agree -- these are the types of books that inspire children.
Thanks for stopping by.