A Lady Had the Floor!

We kick off the @FCBGNews The Federation of Children's Book Groups Non-Fiction November in style with these fabulous and topical illustrations by Alison Jay for Boyds Mills Press! These wonderful pieces are for an upcoming project 'A Lady Had the Floor' - the factual story about Belva Lockwood - the first woman to run for president of USA in 1884 for the equal rights party, a long time before Hillary Clinton!!

Belva Ann Bennett Lockwood  was an American attorney, politician, educator, and author. She was active in working for women's rights. The press of her day referred to her as a "suffragist," someone who believed in women's suffrage or voting rights. Lockwood overcame many social and personal obstacles related to gender restrictions. After college, she became a teacher and principal, working to equalise pay for women in education. She supported the movement for world peace, and was a proponent of temperance.

Lockwood graduated from law school in Washington, D.C. and became one of the first female lawyers in the United States. In 1879, she successfully petitioned Congress to be allowed to practice before the United States Supreme Court, becoming the first woman attorney given this privilege. Lockwood ran for president in 1884 and 1888 on the ticket of the National Equal Rights Party and was the first woman to appear on official ballots.

We think you will agree that Alison has certainly done justice to this pretty awesome woman!

Images copyright Calkin Creek/Boyds Mill Press 2016