Who Was...? biography series for middle grade captivates with the story of Abigail Adams – who was both, wife and mother of a president. Above all, she was a smart and independent woman who believed in the power of education, and spoke out for the right of women and African American.
Abigail Smith (1744-1818) was a curious child, always with her nose in all the books the family owned. She was also stubborn and strong-willed which worried her mother but the grandmother was of different opinion.
Visitors often gathered at family’s library and talked about politics. Abigail’s father encouraged her to have her own opinions.
One of the visitors was John Adams. With time, they discovered that they both had lively minds, thought alike and loved politics. This led to their marriage.
John was a lawyer but he loved farming, and Abigail loved tending to farm duties.
As different battles began between colonists and British, people sought shelter which Abigail provided and food. With money becoming tight, she was becoming creative with continuously providing what was needed. She made soap, spun cloth, ink from ashes and berries. She even melted down pewter spoons to make bullets for the soldiers.
John was spending a lot of time in Philadelphia doing important work in the Congress. Abigail felt lonely but she also understood how important was her husband’s work.
While her husband was working on Declaration of Independence, she wrote him about equal right for everyone. She believed that there should be no slavery in a free country. And women should have the same right as men.
When her husband became the second president of the United States, she became busy with writing letters, organizing, planning the days and holding dinners for important people.
This biography exemplifies a woman who was a wife and a mother and yet very independent with her mind. She was ahead of her time, believing in equal rights for all. She was also very resourceful. In hard times, coming up with ideas for survival, which also led further to good profits.
This illustrated biography for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences, and insightful inserts.
Source: Penguin Workshop, 2014
TRENDING
INSPIRATION: “Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them
than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the
Husbands.” – Abigail Adams
Traits:
·
From childhood, she was immersed in books.
·
She was stubborn and strong-willed.
·
From childhood, she was exposed to political
conversations and her father encouraged her to have her own opinion.
·
During the battles between colonists and
British, when food and other supplies became short, she was very resourceful
how to deal with the shortages.
·
Even when she felt lonely, she understood that
her husband’s absence was for good cause, serving humanity.
·
When her husband became a president, she became
busy with writing letters, organizing events, planning the days and holding dinners
for important people. She understood the higher purpose in this all, to serve
humanity.
·
She was a wife and a mother and yet very
independent with her mind.
“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be
sought for with ardor and diligence.” – Abigail Adams
“If we do not lay out ourselves in the service
of mankind whom should we serve?” – Abigail Adams
“We have too many high-sounding words, and too
few actions that correspond with them.” – Abigail Adams
“I begin to think, that a calm is not desirable
in any situation in life. Man was made for action and for bustle too, I
believe.” – Abigail Adams
FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:
When we create labels, we create separation. Thus, stop the labeling process. That’s the path to inner peace.
Dr.
Wayne Dyer explores the subject of Oneness in his book “Wisdom of the Ages,” where
he further explains that it’s “our ego mind that insists that we’re separate
from others and defined by where our boundaries stop and others start.”
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