Harper Lee

                                                                                           

                                         

Nineteen hours ago beloved author Harper Lee passed away in her sleep, tucked away in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama. Lee wrote To Kill A Mocking Bird, published in 1960  to rave reviews; the following year she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. And on Christmas Day 1962, the film was released. Like the book, it was an instant classic. 

By 1964, Harper Lee was finished with interviews and the public. Harper did keep an apartment in New York City, but when her sister Alice became ill, Lee moved back home for good.

The choice to live a quiet life in her hometown may be hard to understand in times when living in front of cameras and microphones is viewed as a magical carpet ride to fame and fortune and all the fat trimmings life can offer.

In 2015, to the great surprise of the world, Lee's second novel was published. Go Set A Watchman was written before To Kill A Mocking Bird. And considering that more than fifty years had passed since her first book was published, the eager anticipation with which the reading public greeted the news of a second is a testament to the power of Lee's writing.

Monroeville, Alabama, I am sorry for your loss,  Peace.

____________________________

Personal Reminiscences

I did not read the book before I saw the film. It was one of my secret Sunday movie- watching afternoons--at a hotel my folks ran, The Lake Hill Motel. On Sundays, the guests checked out a little late and the rooms would not be cleaned until the next morning. I would grab a soda from the storage room and watch old films in rooms not yet cleaned for the next guest.

The cigar box, its contents and Scout dressed as a leg of ham. Playing and not getting caught when dared to touch boundaries outside of home base, marbles and Boo.  His soap figures humble me even now. And then the disease of hate. Black and white. I cannot imagine this film in color. This classic film is held in such regard, no one would try. Maybe when we who are here now have passed away, someone will feel the need to find colors that speak louder than black and white, though I doubt it.  --Bridget

WOMAN 101

Dear Woman,

These are the times that try woman's souls.  We are under attack by our politicians, at our workplaces, by religious and cultural organizations, and by the large "g" Government itself. It's 2016 and we are still objectified? Our bodily functions--the fodder of fools?

We, as a society, do not know women's history.  That history has been omitted from our text books. What were women "capable" of doing in the past? What are we "capable" of now? What will we be "capable" of in the future? A lot. We always have been and we always will be.

We are going to correct history ("beingwoman") and share the accomplishments of young women ("Women with Wings"). Our website, womensmercury.com will be the place, but look for tweets as we "reboot" our twitter page in March. We will share women's stories through the arts and literature. 

Don't worry, we won't lose our sense of humor. It's gotten us this far.  

To the future!

Bridget Gethins
Keri Wormald
The Women's Mercury

March is Women's Month

                                                                    
On this day March 3, 1913,  Washington DC was host to the first parade in support of  Woman's Suffrage Movement. 8,000 women and men and children marched that day. Sadly, mobs were formed to harm and stop the parade with the use of violence and very rude commentary. And even though Alice Paul (leader of the suffrage movement)  had a legal permit and supposed protection from  the police force. The police did nothing to stop the violence. 200 were injured and Army troops were brought in to stop the mobs. The outcry from the public was in support of the Women's Suffrage Movement  and against the police for allowing such violence. The chief of police fired. And DC set up a committee to investigate who was behind the mobs.
 The subject of women's suffrage was back in the public's mind and  with their support.  This parade was the symbol of a new beginning in the Women's Suffrage Movement in the United States.
 There are two suffrage ideals the suffragettes and the suffragist.  suffragette: uses a more demanding, and  aggressive actions for right to vote. suffragist: a person who follows the protocol to bring attention to a woman's right to vote.
Reminder: March 8th is the 100 year anniversary of International Woman's Day.