Marie Conner, A Leading Lady: Her Life and Civic Leadership in a Bygone Era by Elle Mott
COMING IN MARCH!
About Marie Conner, A Leading Lady
Marie was born a girl. That was only her first mistake, according to her father.
In an era when daughters and wives are not supposed to be concerned with matters outside the home, Marie is determined to prove him wrong. To do this, she must break down barriers placed on women in society, overcome difficulties that befall her, surpass hardships from the Great Depression, and then face an inevitable relocation.
Marie steps into her community and into the hearts of many people to give her time and help with their needs. She wants nothing in return other than her father's acceptance as a worthy woman and yet, she gains much in return, even if it is not her father's praise. This is Marie’s story—of a rise from her girlhood angsts to become a leading lady—and much more.
COVER REVEAL
An Excerpt:
Marie’s documented written words from December 1952 are shared in
Chapter 15
“Love”
Pages 207 – 208
I opened the shop at 10:30. The first thing of course is building a fire in a wood heater. The wood is rather wet, no kindling and no axe. But we always get it started. By this time, we have quite a group of people in the shop. They are there for various reasons. Saturday, 89 people came to the shop. Some came for help, some out of curiosity, and some to buy. Today the first thing I must do is drive nearly to Berline to aid a lovely old couple. It is nearly 1 p.m. when I arrive back in Lebanon.
We prepare a hasty lunch in our little kitchen and as I try to eat a few bites I receive the most wonderful gift that could have come to the shop. Our telephone had arrived. Nothing was ever needed more. The number is 7042. I felt my day had been full. Also, during this time, I interviewed three people while I was at a cup of tea and a sandwich, trying to get a bite in now and then. I was able to help all three people due to those who had made purchases during the morning. You see, the shop is a place to help one another. The one who pays helps the one who needs and the one who gives the articles helps the other two and I am sure the giver is repaid by the joy she brings.
Since the opening of the shop, I have had a dream of a sewing room, but we have never had time to get the room cleaned out because it was the room where things needing repair or cleaning was kept. Now the barn that is directly behind the shop has been almost completed so that we were able to remove these things to there. With one helper and so many to wait on it seemed an impossible task. But again, a wonderful thing happened. A mother and daughter who are old friends of mine walked in and offered to help. We certainly could use them, and they worked all afternoon. Several old people without transportation wanted boxes of things delivered so my trusty pick-up and I were out in the rain off and on all afternoon, so you can imagine how time flies when we are that busy. My closing time came only too soon. We had not completed the renovation of the room needed for sewing. I went to the home of a helper who had to stay home all day with two grandchildren. Her daughter relieved her of this job in the evening, so she and I went back down after a bite to eat, and at 12 midnight, we had the room in apple pie order and now my dream has come true. Anyone who has an hour or so to spare and wants to drop in and do some mending or tie quilts will now be able to do so.. Of course, all I need now is a sewing machine and ironing board for this room. I purchased a nice machine from a woman who needed money, but someone needed the machine so badly and of course I now do not have one.
Saturday, a beautifully dressed person came in and looked around and asked, “What is this place?”
She understood what I meant when I answered her. “It is the heart of Lebanon.”
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About Elle Mott
Elle Mott writes creative nonfiction. This is her third book. She is the author of “Out of Chaos: A Memoir” and “People Helping People.” Her other writing pieces have been featured in literary journals, news magazines, and anthologies. She has a background working in libraries, both at the college level and, for more than ten years, at the public library in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. While library work is her livelihood, writing is her passion. Elle grew up in Oregon and now makes her home in the suburbs of northern Kentucky with two cats and several pet birds.
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