A review by se_wigget
Sisters: The Lives of America's Suffragists by Jean H. Baker

4.0

 

I purchased this book at the gift shop of the women's history museum in Seneca Falls. I do recommend that if you read this book, read other books about suffragists, such as The Women's Hour by Elaine Weiss. I've read quite a few others, including a couple books about Alice Paul and a couple books about Victoria Woodhull. (Actually, I have a couple stacks of books about suffragists and intend to read lots of them this year—2020, the anniversary year of the 19th Amendment). 

 

This book consists of biographies on five suffragists... all of whom are white, which is a bit off-putting. I would have included at least one black woman, such as Sojourner Truth or Ida B. Wells. And I would have included Matilda Joslyn Gage. Also, I wasn't as engaged in the section about Frances Willard (probably because way too much Xianity), so I wouldn't have chosen her. 

 

Anyway, there's a lot of interesting personal information about their lifestyles, and it's certainly worth the read. 

 

I especially appreciate the details about the Silent Sentinels and the circumstances of their ending up tortured in prison. That alone is reason to vote at every election.