Review: Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott
Marie Conner, A Leading Lady:
Her Life and Civic Leadership in a Bygone Era
Review:
I always enjoy reading about historical women whose achievements should receive wider acknowledgment – but there are so many, and most of them are, sadly, forgotten.
Marie Conner was one such woman.
Born in the early years of the 20th century, she grew up in an era of great upheaval, social tensions, and technological advances. But one thing that had not changed in the minds of the men of the day – a woman's role. Wife, mother, homekeeper was still the traditional view. But outside a cosy middle-class bubble, many women had no choice but to seek employment, to feed themselves, and their families.
Marie's father was no exception to this patriarchy, and his dismissive attitude towards the path she chose to take – helping those most in need – weaves like a thread through the book. She deeply sought his approval, and this sense affected her own life throughout.
Marie's chosen path isn't an easy one, yet even early on, you get a real sense of her increasing sense of responsibility. Her dream of a community providing a network of help for those who need it suffered setbacks, but also successes.
Marie's own articles provide ample proof that she was highly intelligent, with a subtle sense of humour, but also an empathy that went beyond dropping a few coins into needy hands. Hers was a vocation, and and she followed it through with steely determination.
We discover that Marie Conner was the author's great-grandmother, and you get a strong sense of closeness between the two women throughout the book. Ms Mott shared Marie's achievements with great care and sensitivity, thereby bringing her closer to us readers. Marie's work was incredibly hard, and she highly deserves this fascinating biography.
However, this close link between subject and author also means that there are a lot of details shared within the pages. At times, this felt a bit overwhelming, as the pace slowed due to the sheer volume of information.
This compelling biography is the story about a truly remarkable woman who could be so kind – but quite harsh to those close to her, in particular. There were two sides to Marie. However, this inner struggle makes her human.
Marie Conner, A Leading Lady is a fascinating glimpse into the achievements of an extraordinary woman. Highly recommended, especially to readers who enjoy discovering more hidden women in history.
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Blurb:
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.
This definitive biography is the empowering true story of one trailblazing woman who, in the mid-1900s in small-town America, changed her community and beyond for the better and forevermore.
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