Kate Hannigan is the author of the new children's picture book A Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women's Rights. Her other books include The Detective's Assistant. She has worked for The Dallas Morning News and the San Francisco Chronicle, and she lives in Chicago.
Q: Why did you decide to write a picture book about women's rights activist Belva
Lockwood?
A: When Belva Lockwood first came to my attention, I was
researching a book about Nellie Bly. I was so surprised to read about “the lady
candidate” that I dropped the Nellie project and jumped right into learning
about Belva and her campaign for president in 1884.
As I found out more about her—that she’d accomplished so
much and was somewhat ignored by the mainstream suffragettes—I wanted to share
it with the world. First woman on the ballot for president, first woman
admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court, first woman to argue a case before
the Supreme Court.
Belva faced daunting hardships and formidable obstacles
along the way. She’s truly an inspiration.
Q: How did you research the book, and did you learn anything
that especially surprised you?
A: Belva was articulate and a prolific writer, which makes
the researching so much easier than for projects where the subject didn't
record their own thoughts and opinions. I was able to dig up old newspaper
articles where she'd granted interviews, as well as read her own writings about
life and law and politics.
I learned so many things that should not have come as a
surprise but did: that she was asked to teach school at age 14 but was paid
only half what the men earned.
That she wanted to go to college after being widowed as a
young woman but her father said an education would be wasted on her.
That she had to fight to be allowed into law school, and
that even after earning her diploma the school still refused to give it to her.
That despite having the law degree and practicing in the
courts as a full-fledged attorney, judges pounded their gavels and ordered her
to be silent—they would have nothing to do with “lady” lawyers.
On and on and on, the injustices she encountered were jaw-dropping
but part of what women faced as they changed society's norms.
Q: What do you think Alison Jay's illustrations add to the
book?
A: Holy cow, Alison is so talented! I want to hang her
illustrations on my walls! She gives the book an uplifting tone through her
vibrant colors and whimsical figures. And her “crackle” (or whatever technical
art term you’d use for that antique finish!) lends just the right feeling—that
we’re looking at something historical.
Alison is such a pro! It would not be the same book without
her gorgeous art. I feel like the universe smiled on me when I was paired with
her!
Q: What do you hope young readers take away from the book?
A: I hope readers take away a sense of strength and
inspiration from Belva’s story. That no matter what obstacles line your path,
you can still reach your goals and even surprise yourself!
Belva just wanted what was fair—that girls get the same
opportunities to lead full and satisfying lives as boys. So she pushed
boundaries, all the way to the Supreme Court and even the White House.
“Let nothing stand in your way,” would be the mantra Belva
imparts to young readers. Though she’s infinitely quotable already in her own
writings and campaigns.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: Oh my, how I love a good story of an amazing woman. I
just finished the Nellie Bly manuscript and sold it to the same editor who
worked on the Belva book! Carolyn Yoder at Boyds Mills Press.
And I’m happy to say that a middle-grade World War II
project I’ve been writing and researching for about two years now has found a
home. More details to come on that, but I’ve got lots and lots and lots of
stories in various stages of contemplation and completion! And I can’t wait to
get them out into the world!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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