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A longtime columnist for the Raleigh News and Observer, Cornelia Battle Lewis earned a national reputation in the 1920s and 1930s for her courageous advocacy on behalf of women's rights, African Americans, children, and labor unions. Late in her life, however, after fighting mental illness, Lewis reversed many of her stances and railed against the liberalism she had spent her life advancing. In Battling Nell, Alexander S. Leidholdt tells the compelling and ultimately tragic life story of this groundbreaking journalist against the backdrop of the turbulent post-Reconstruction Jim Crow South and speculates about the cause of her extraordinary transformation. The daughter of North Carolina's most prominent public health official, Lewis grew up in Raleigh, but her experiences at Smith College in Massachusetts, and later in France during World War I, led her to question the prevailing racial attitudes and gender roles of her native region. In 1920, Lewis began her storied career with the News and Observer. Inspired by H. L. Mencken's scathing criticism of the South, she soon established herself as the region's leading female liberal journalist. Her column, "Incidentally," attacked the Ku Klux Klan, lobbied against the exploitation of mill workers, defended strikers during the notorious communist-organized Gastonia labor violence, mocked religious fundamentalists who fought the teaching of evolution, and decried lynch law. A suffragist and a feminist who saw women's rights as inextricably linked to human rights, Lewis ran for state legislature in 1928 and was one of the first women in North Carolina to be admitted to the bar. In the 1930s, however, Lewis faced repeated institutionalizations for a debilitating bout of mental illness and sought treatment from Christian Science practitioners, spiritualists, and psychotherapists. As she aged, her views grew increasingly reactionary, and she insisted that she had served as a communist dupe during the Gastonia strike and trials, that communists had infiltrated the University of North Carolina, and that many of her former progressive allies had ties to communism. Finally, many of her opinions completely reversed, and in the wake of the 1954 Brown v. Board decision, she served as an influential spokesperson for the South's massive resistance to public school desegregation. She continued to espouse these conservative beliefs until her death in 1956. In his detailed retelling of Lewis's fascinating life, Leidholdt chronicles the turbulent history of North Carolina from the 1920s through the 1950s, as industrialization and racial integration began to tear at the region's conservative fabric. He vividly explains the background and ramifications of Lewis's many controversial stances and explores the possible reasons for her ideological about-face. Through the extraordinary story of "Battling Nell," Leidholdt reveals how the complex issues of gender, labor, and race intertwined to influence the convulsive events that shaped the course of early twentieth-century southern history.
"This first of two volumes on North Carolina women chronicles the influence and accomplishments of individual women from the pre-Revolutionary period through the early 20th century. They represent a range of social and economic backgrounds, political stances, areas of influence, and geographical regions within the state. Even though North Carolina remained mostly rural until well into the twentieth century and the lives of most women centered on farm, family, and church, Gillespie and McMillen note that the state's people "exhibited a progressive streak that positively influenced women." Public funds were set aside to advance statewide education, private efforts after the Civil War led to the founding of numerous black schools and colleges, and in 1891 the General Assembly chartered the State Normal and Industrial School (later UNC-G) as one of the first publicly funded colleges for white women. By the late 19th century, as several essays in this volume reveal, education played a pivotal role in the lives of many white and black women. It inspired their activism and involvement in a world beyond their traditional domestic sphere"--
Hands within the Battle: My Mississippi History By: Minnie P. Stewart After experiencing and observing many years of visible and invisible racism, Minnie P. Stewart knew she needed to speak the truth. She and her family, like so many others, had been privately holding onto their family history. This memoir is her retelling and reflection on her and her family as they faced racism and oppression and the help they received from others as they themselves strived to serve. Stewart wrote Hands within the Battle to preserve her family history. It will draw readers in as they learn the secrets of the smiles and the songs on the lips of Black Americans as they battle life’s stumbling blocks. It is a moving witness to the power of love and service to sustain a family through hardship.
Spanning the vast, rugged canvas of the American West, '50 Westerns - The Best Adventures, Gunfight Duels, Battles, Rider Trails & Legendary Outlaws' brings together an impressive anthology that captures the essence and spirit of the frontier. This collection showcases an eclectic mix of styles, from the raw and gripping narratives to poignant, reflective tales that delve deep into the human and natural landscapes of the West. The wealth of genres within the anthology speaks to the diversity and complexity of the Western experience, featuring everything from intense gunfights and dramatic battles to the quiet, introspective journey of the lone rider. Notable for including both celebrated classics and lesser-known gems, this anthology highlights the rich tapestry of stories that have defined and expanded the boundaries of Western literature. The backgrounds of the authors in this collection are as diverse and storied as the tales they tell. Ranging from pioneering spirits like Bret Harte and Owen Wister, who shaped the early literary form of the Western genre, to the adventurous souls like Jack London and Robert E. Howard, whose works delve into the human condition against the backdrop of the untamed frontier. These authors, among others in the collection, provide a multifaceted view of the American West, reflecting the eras significant social, cultural, and historical shifts. Their collective works not only pay homage to the rugged beauty and perilous adventures of the West but also contribute to the ongoing dialogue about human resilience, the clash of cultures, and the relentless push towards the unknown. '50 Westerns - The Best Adventures, Gunfight Duels, Battles, Rider Trails & Legendary Outlaws' offers readers an unparalleled journey through the heart and soul of Western literature. It is a must-read anthology for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the vast diversity of stories and perspectives that have shaped this enduring genre. Beyond entertainment, this collection serves as a comprehensive exploration of the Western spirit, offering valuable insights into the struggles, triumphs, and enduring myths of the American frontier. Whether you're a dedicated aficionado of Westerns or a curious newcomer, this anthology promises a rich and rewarding experience that celebrates the complexity and vibrancy of the Western narrative.
A history of Raleigh, North Carolina, as told through articles published in the News & Observer