These stories tell the true tales of the way it was for many people in the past. Amazingly, some of this past is only 40 years old and the understanding of the struggles of these times is in danger of being lost. Read these stories to read about how life could have been for you back in the day.
Blumenthal, Karen. Let me play. The story of Title IX. 2005.
What good do politicians do? Some politicians are great. Before the early 1970s, girls were rarely allowed the opportunity to play sports in school or even take upper level math and science classes in high school or college. Girls were not smart enough or strong enough to do either. Read Let me play to discover the long struggle and bias towards women and how a group of dedicated politicians worked to change the lives of women forever.
Bausum, Ann. Freedom Riders. 2006.
Fifty years ago John Lewis and Jim Zwerg took a bus ride that changed history. Because of them and hundreds of others like them, riding a bus or going to the movies became something all people could do together. It was only fifty years ago whites and blacks could not sit together anywhere in the south, now it seems unthinkable that Americans could believe and behave as they did just fifty years ago. Read Freedom riders to start to understand the times and the danger to the Freedom Riders.
Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. Black Potatoes. 2001. Robert F. Sibert Medal.
The Great Irish Famine started suddenly in 1845 and lasted for five years. These were years of hunger, despair, disease and prejudice. Millions died and millions more immigrated and those who were left had to pick up the pieces and live on in a land with little hope and even less food. Read Black potatoes to appreciate what you have.
