Customer Reviews

When Esther Morris Headed West: Women, Wyoming, and the Right to Vote

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I am so glad this book was written. This is an important part of American history that all of us should know. Esther Morris went west and became part of the movement in Wyoming Territory to win women the right to vote and hold office. Then, to help solidify their position, she applied for and became a Justice of the Peace. She held this position until the next election. The book is more about the suffrage movement and its early beginnings in the American West than it is about Esther Morris' life. But, it's information I didn't know and now, would like to know more about. This will be a good book to read to students and a good lead-in to research more about this interesting topic. I like the illlustrations which enhanced the story.

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When Esther Morris Headed West: Women, Wyoming And The Right To Vote"
by Connie Nordhielm Wooldridge
Illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers
(Holiday House, 2001)
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A cheerfully matter-of-fact biography of a can-do suffragette who in 1869 became the first female judge in the United States of America. When a judicial seat opened up in the Wyoming Territory, pioneer Esther Morris, who had been mulling over the inequalities between women and men, volunteered for the position and held court for nearly a year, persevering despite the rudeness of some of her male contemporaries. The story is told with a lively, celebratory tone, accompanied by skillful watercolor illustrations that underscore the humor of the narrative while perfectly conveying the emotions of various characters. A great supplementary text for exploring American history and early feminist themes. Recommended! (Joe Sixpack, ReadThatAgain children's book reviews)