Pauli Murray : the life of a pioneering feminist and civil rights activist
(Book)

Book Cover
Average Rating
Contributors
Published
New York, NY : Yellow Jacket, [2022].
Status
Columbia Pike - Teen Biography
YB MURRAY P
1 available

Copies

LocationCall NumberStatus
Columbia Pike - Teen BiographyYB MURRAY PAvailable

Description

Pauli Murray was a trailblazer who spent her life fighting for civil rights and women's rights. Writer, lawyer, activist, priest, Pauli was a champion for justice. Her extraordinary life is immortalized in this riveting biography told in verse."Pauli Murray was brilliant, outspoken, and committed to achieving dignity and equality for all under the law. Rising from poverty, Murray challenged pervasive race and sex discrimination and helped launch the two most important movements of the Twentieth Century: civil rights and women's rights. This new biography capsulizes important events and accomplishments of an iconoclast who would not take 'No' for an answer. Young readers will be drawn to the story of Pauli's bravery and pivotal role in history." -- Christian F. Nunes, President, National Organization for Women"This is a compelling biography of an 'unsung force'-an inspiring and transformative figure who broke barriers pivotal to both the civil rights and women's movements."--Horn Book Magazine"This inspiring biography in verse aims to promote the life and work of the lesser-known yet influential Black civil rights activist and feminist."--Booklist ReviewsPauli Murray was a thorn in the side of white America demanding justice and equal treatment for all. She was a queer civil rights and women's rights activist before any movement advocated for either--the brilliant mind that, in 1944, conceptualized the arguments that would win Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka; and in 1964, the arguments that won women equality in the workplace. Throughout her life, she fought for the oppressed, not only through changing laws, but by using her powerful prose to influence those who could affect change. She lived by her convictions and challenged authority to demand fairness and justice regardless of the personal consequences. Without seeking acknowledgment, glory, or financial gain for what she did, Pauli Murray fought in the trenches for many of the rights we take for granted. Her goal was human rights and the dignity of life for all.

More Details

Format
Book
Edition
First edition.
Physical Desc
280 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm
Language
English
ISBN
9781499812510, 1499812515

Notes

Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 274-280).
Description
Written in verse, this inspiring biography chronicles the life of a queer civil rights and women's rights activist who fought for many of the rights taken for granted today, working tirelessly for human rights and the dignity of life for all.

Discover More

Author Notes

Loading Author Notes...

Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These books have the genres "biographies -- identity -- africans and african americans" and "biographies -- politics -- activists and reformers -- african american rights"; and the subjects "civil rights movement," "african american civil rights workers," and "african americans."
These books have the genres "biographies -- identity -- africans and african americans" and "biographies -- politics -- activists and reformers -- african american rights"; and the subjects "civil rights movement," "african american civil rights workers," and "african american civil rights."
These books have the genres "biographies" and "biographies -- identity -- africans and african americans"; and the subjects "civil rights movement," "african american civil rights workers," and "women civil rights workers."
These books have the genres "biographies -- identity -- africans and african americans" and "biographies -- politics -- activists and reformers"; and the subjects "civil rights movement," "african american civil rights workers," and "african american women civil rights workers."
These books have the genres "biographies" and "biographies -- identity -- africans and african americans"; and the subjects "civil rights movement," "african american civil rights workers," and "civil rights workers."
These books have the genres "biographies" and "biographies -- politics -- activists and reformers -- african american rights"; and the subjects "civil rights movement," "african american civil rights workers," and "african americans."
These books have the genres "biographies -- identity -- africans and african americans" and "biographies -- politics -- activists and reformers"; and the subjects "civil rights movement," "african american civil rights workers," and "african american women civil rights workers."
These books have the genres "biographies -- identity -- africans and african americans" and "biographies -- politics -- activists and reformers"; and the subjects "social reformers," "civil rights movement," and "social justice."
These books have the genres "biographies -- identity -- africans and african americans" and "biographies -- politics -- activists and reformers"; and the subjects "social reformers," "women's movement," and "feminists."
These books have the genres "biographies" and "biographies -- identity -- africans and african americans"; and the subjects "civil rights movement," "african american civil rights workers," and "african americans."
These books have the genres "biographies" and "biographies -- politics -- activists and reformers -- african american rights"; and the subjects "social reformers," "civil rights movement," and "social justice."
These books have the appeal factors thoughtful, and they have the genres "biographies -- identity -- africans and african americans" and "biographies -- politics -- activists and reformers -- african american rights"; and the subjects "civil rights movement," "african american civil rights workers," and "african americans."

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These authors' works have the subjects "cuban american children," "cuban americans," and "grandmother and granddaughter."
These authors' works have the subjects "girls," "bullies and bullying," and "friendship."
These authors' works have the subjects "books and reading" and "immigrant families"; and illustrations that are "realistic illustrations."
These authors' works have the genre "realistic fiction"; the subject "feminists"; and illustrations that are "realistic illustrations" and "textured illustrations."
These authors' works have the genre "picture books for children"; and the subjects "girls," "friendship," and "making friends."
These authors' works have the genre "picture books for children"; and the subjects "girls" and "boys."
These authors' works have the genres "picture books for children" and "biographies"; and the subjects "girls," "friendship," and "making friends."
These authors' works have the genre "realistic fiction"; and the subjects "cuban american children," "grandmother and granddaughter," and "making friends."
These authors' works have the subjects "grandmother and granddaughter," "girls," and "friendship."
These authors' works have the subjects "making friends," "immigrant families," and "best friends"; and illustrations that are "realistic illustrations," "muted illustrations," and "impressionistic illustrations."
These authors' works have the subjects "grandmother and granddaughter," "immigrant families," and "child immigrants."
These authors' works have the subjects "memories," "bullies and bullying," and "memory."

Published Reviews

Booklist Review

Before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, Pauli Murray sat in a whites-only section of a Virginia bus in 1940 and was arrested. This inspiring biography in verse aims to promote the life and work of the lesser-known yet influential Black civil rights activist and feminist. Free-verse poems relate Murray's childhood during the Jim Crow era in North Carolina, her budding activism amid the Great Depression, her more formal activism and writings as a lawyer, and her later years in the clergy. They emphasize another part of Murray's identity as well: Murray fought for women's rights in a male-dominated world (what she called her "battle against Jane Crow"), and before the term transgender came into use, she routinely questioned her gender identity and chose to dress in men's clothes. Incorporating quotes by Murray and excerpts of her poetry, the book's verses often don't flow smoothly. Readers who persist, however, will find numerous historical surprises, from Murray's friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt to her role in Brown v. Board of Education.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Powered by Syndetics

Horn Book Review

The remarkable life of Black activist, attorney, and Episcopal priest Pauli Murray (1910-1985) is presented in an engaging, extensively documented nonfiction account in verse. Drawing heavily on Murray's autobiography, poems, and other writings, the book spans her entire life and identifies her influences as she became determined, from a young age in Jim Crow North Carolina, to learn and help others appreciate the true history of her people. She endured great hardships in order to graduate from Hunter College, but her efforts to get ahead were thwarted by the Great Depression. She began a lifelong passion for writing to newspapers and public figures about social issues, which she called "confrontation by typewriter," and was very successful at making those messages heard by people in power, including President Roosevelt. Later, at Howard University Law School, Murray was a strong proponent of overturning Plessy v. Ferguson because "separate could never be equal." In the later chapters, the authors acknowledge the limitations of language employed at the time, speculating that today "transgender / is possibly / what Pauli would call herself...Pauli's pronouns may have been / they/them/their." This is a compelling biography of an "unsung force" -- an inspiring and transformative figure who broke barriers pivotal to both the civil rights and women's movements. Appended with photographs, authors' notes, a timeline, source notes, and a bibliography. Luann Toth March/April 2022 p.(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Powered by Syndetics

Kirkus Book Review

Born in 1910, Anna Pauline "Pauli" Murray was a poet, a lawyer, an activist, a priest, and so much more that is deserving of praise, remembrance, and long-overdue celebration. The story begins with the death of her mother and a 3-year-old Murray finding a home with her aunt and namesake Pauline in Jim Crow--afflicted Durham, North Carolina. Collaborators Catasús Jennings and Stevens-Holsey, Murray's niece, provide a thorough account of their subject's life, from her first exposure to systemic injustice through to her steadfast persistence in fighting the racial and gender inequities she dubbed Jane Crow. Unfortunately, the work uses stilted verse stanzas organized into less-than-effective sections, drawing for readers an awkward contrast to Murray's own brilliant poetry, which is quoted here. The writing presents factual details without much consideration of poetic language or rhythm, and certain segments feel like historical discursions from the meaningful focus on Murray's life. Nonetheless, the inclusion of too-often-unrecognized details of Murray's accomplishments in education, law, and activism, combined with the harsh sociopolitical context she emerged from, make for an undeniably potent story. Murray spent the last decade of her life as an Episcopal priest, which the authors curiously mention only briefly. Ultimately, this work presents thoughtful components of a portrait of this queer, Black, heroic figure. An undeniably worthy subject deserving of a stronger biography. (authors' notes, timeline, endnotes, bibliography) (Verse biography. 12-16) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Powered by Syndetics

Booklist Reviews

Before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, Pauli Murray sat in a whites-only section of a Virginia bus in 1940 and was arrested. This inspiring biography in verse aims to promote the life and work of the lesser-known yet influential Black civil rights activist and feminist. Free-verse poems relate Murray's childhood during the Jim Crow era in North Carolina, her budding activism amid the Great Depression, her more formal activism and writings as a lawyer, and her later years in the clergy. They emphasize another part of Murray's identity as well: Murray fought for women's rights in a male-dominated world (what she called her "battle against Jane Crow"), and before the term transgender came into use, she routinely questioned her gender identity and chose to dress in men's clothes. Incorporating quotes by Murray and excerpts of her poetry, the book's verses often don't flow smoothly. Readers who persist, however, will find numerous historical surprises, from Murray's friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt to her role in Brown v. Board of Education. Grades 7-10. Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.
Powered by Content Cafe

Reviews from GoodReads

Loading GoodReads Reviews.

Citations

APA Citation, 7th Edition (style guide)

Stevens-Holsey, R., & Jennings, T. C. (2022). Pauli Murray: the life of a pioneering feminist and civil rights activist (First edition.). Yellow Jacket.

Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)

Stevens-Holsey, Rosita and Terry Catasús Jennings. 2022. Pauli Murray: The Life of a Pioneering Feminist and Civil Rights Activist. New York, NY: Yellow Jacket.

Chicago / Turabian - Humanities (Notes and Bibliography) Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)

Stevens-Holsey, Rosita and Terry Catasús Jennings. Pauli Murray: The Life of a Pioneering Feminist and Civil Rights Activist New York, NY: Yellow Jacket, 2022.

Harvard Citation (style guide)

Stevens-Holsey, R. and Jennings, T. C. (2022). Pauli murray: the life of a pioneering feminist and civil rights activist. First edn. New York, NY: Yellow Jacket.

MLA Citation, 9th Edition (style guide)

Stevens-Holsey, Rosita,, and Terry Catasús Jennings. Pauli Murray: The Life of a Pioneering Feminist and Civil Rights Activist First edition., Yellow Jacket, 2022.

Note! Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy. Citation formats are based on standards as of August 2021.

Staff View

Loading Staff View.