Fighting for Equal Rights: A Story about Susan B. Anthony

Born a Quaker, Susan B. Anthony grew up being taught that women were equal to men. During her lifetime, she was a teacher, a newspaperwoman, and an activist. She worked to further many causes such as the temperance, the abolitionist, and women's rights movements. Although she didn't live to see her dreams of women's suffrage come true, her tireless dedication to the cause was crucial to its success.

I grew up on a farm near Hutchinson, Minnesota. I can't say I always wanted to be a writer. But I did always love books. In the winter, my mother had to force me to go outside and play. I wanted to stay inside and read. Hey, it was COLD outside. In the summer, I would play on the swings or in the haymow with my friend, Jackie Bonniwell. But most of the time, I'd lie on a blanket under the oak tree in the front yard and read.

My favorite books were the Betsy Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. (Look for them in your bookstore or library. They're available in paperback, too.)

I liked the Betsy Tacy books because they were about three friends—Betsy, Tacy, and Tib—and all they fun they had together.

I had two best friends in grade school. Their names were Sharon and Elaine. They're both still my friends. Sharon and I would play paper dolls and make up stories for hours. And we would put on shows where we would sing and dance for our parents. I directed the shows. Sharon says I never let her sing. That was because she couldn't sing. Elaine and I rode our bikes up and down the gravel road in front of her house. Our favorite pastime was following her older brother around and calling him names. Our second favorite thing was to hide from her younger brother.

Now I have many friends who are children's authors like me. Or I have friends who like to read books. If you want to be my friend, you'd better enjoy books.