Contributing Author to America’s Notable Women Series, Apprentice Shop Books:
Women of the Golden State: 25 California Women You Should Know, 2009
Alice Eastwood – Plant Pioneer
Alice Eastwood was an avid botanist in the late 19th and early 20 centuries. Protecting the environment was important to her. Alice was one of many women who gave their energy to early environmental conservation. With very little formal training, she became one of the most knowledgeable botanists of her time.
Alice hiked all over America’s west collecting and cataloging unknown plants. She also traveled to the Yukon to collect willow samples. She made the 300 mile trip from Whitehorse to Dawson over snow and frozen rivers in an open carriage on runners. Alice’s samples can still be seen today at the California Academy of Sciences and the University of Colorado Herbarium.
Source: Biographical Dictionary of Women of Science, ed. Ogilvie and Harvey
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Women of the Empire State: 25 New York Women You Should Know, 2010
Malvina Hoffman – Gifted Sculptor
Malvina Hoffman, 20th century sculptor, spent childhood summers at the NH seashore. A family friend, Bennett Nash, taught her to carve driftwood boats. “Remember, Mallie,” he said, “the angels can see through and around and under just as well as from the front.” These words guided Malvina as she studied with famous sculptor Auguste Rodin and throughout her distinguished career.
Source: Sculpture Inside and Out, Malvina Hoffman
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Women of the Prairie State: 25 Illinois Women You Should Know, 2012
Irene Hunt – Teacher, Writer, Newbery Medal Winner
Irene Hunt, author of the Newbery Medal novel Across Five Aprils, was a gifted educator and writer. In a 1967 article for The Horn Book Magazine, she wrote: “Great books do not have to preach. But they do speak to the conscience, the imagination, and the heart of many a child. And they speak with very clear and forceful voices.”
10 Writing Tips from Irene Hunt
- Remember your childhood
- Respect children
- Don’t preach or teach
- Be true to yourself
- Forget vocabulary
- Forget taboo subjects
- Forget ages
- Be original
- Tell your story in your own style
- Be proud of your work
Source: Hunt’s speech to the Illinois Library Association, 1965