Barbara Egger Lennon is written by Tina Stewart Brakebill, a history instructor at ISU. She recently appeared at the McLean County Museum of History to talk about her book and sign copies. I attended the talk and bought a copy of the book (which is available in the museum store!!)
Barbara's (or Barbe, as she was known) story spans 100 years, from her immigration to this country in the 1800's until her death in 1983. So Barbara was in fact alive in 1915 -- the focus of this blog -- and was most likely featured in the Pantagraph in 1915. But I am not writing from the paper today. Ms. Brakebill tells her story in wonderful detail, giving us a view into the life of a middle class girl and woman as she seeks autonomy in a culture that does not value the autonomy of women. Luckily, Barbe left a rich record of her life and innermost thoughts in a journal she kept for over 70 years, and Ms Brakebill has interpreted her life and provided the historic detail and background to place Barbe's story in context.
Barbe was a student at ISNU, a daughter and "adopted" daughter, wife, and mother, but most importantly, she was a teacher and activist who attempted to improve the opportunities for teachers. Teachers especially will find much to relate to in her story.
Her story touches on many of the topics I like to look at here -- family relations, labor relations, women and the economy. Barbe's family relations were complex - she left her birth family to pursue her education when she entered 7th grade and never lived with her family again. She was informally adopted by the Lennon's and spent her high school and adult years with them. Juna Lennon, her adopted mother was a member of the Mosaic Circle, which was featured in this blog before I read the book -- I had to laugh because Juna was a perfect candidate for the Mosaic Circle! Barbe was also concerned about social justice as it related to labor and women. Barbe was a single mother after the death of her husband and met many of the same challenges other single mothers faced in hard times.
I very much recommend this book for any one who is interested in the history of women who chipped away at the barriers to full citizenship and the history of McLean County!