“Coming of age in the changing times of the mid-19th century” describes the Emma Field series. In some cultures dragonflies are a symbol of change. Do you think this little guy knows all that? Thanks to Joan Daynard for submitting this image.
A few last quotes from Lucretia Coffin Mott (1793-1880):
“Any great change must expect opposition, because it shakes the very foundation of privilege.”
“’Truth for authority’, rather than ‘Authority for truth’”.
“In a true marriage relationship the independence of the husband and wife is equal, their dependence mutual, and their obligations reciprocal.”
I have so much admiration for her – the way she paid attention to her “Inner Light” and the way she respected it in others, especially those whose opinions differed from hers. I love how utterly clever and energetic she was, how she pulled together so many different threads of her society and lastly, how much she and James were partners in every sense. Sincerely, Carol Williams
One cold, rainy day when Lucretia Mott, who was in her seventies, was riding home from Philadelphia in a horse-drawn car she witnessed a conductor “ordering an elderly black woman to ride outside in the rain. Lucretia was so indignant that she insisted on riding with her, until the other passengers protested and the conductor reluctantly permitted both women in. “
Lucretia Mott died several years later at the age of eighty-seven. After a simple funeral her body was carried to Fair Hill burial ground where several thousand had gathered in silence. Henry Child, a Peace Society colleague, said a few words, then all was silent again. “‘Will no one speak?’ a low voice was heard to ask. ‘Who can speak?’ another said, ‘the preacher is dead.’”
Susan B. Anthony later wrote of Lucretia Mott’s life: “Mrs. Mott fought a triple battle – 1st in the Religious Society (Quaker)…she was persecuted and ostracized by many of her old and best friends…Then 2nd – Anti-Slavery – for her work for that she was almost turned out of the Society… then for her woman’s rights – she again lost the favor of many of her oldest and best friends, but through it all she was ever sweet tempered and self poised.”
Quotes from: Valiant Friend by Margaret Hope Bacon
In February of 1840 Lucretia Mott’s travels took her to Delaware where she stayed with relatives. As she travelled about the countryside with Daniel Neall, the president of Pennsylvania Hall, their carriage was stoned. They disregarded the incident and proceeded on to the home of local Quakers for tea. However they were followed there by “a group of raw-looking men , who demanded that Daniel Neall come with them. When Daniel refused, more men arrived and forced their way into the house.”
Lucretia would have none of it and later wrote that she “pled hard with (the men) to take me as I was the offender if offence had been committed …but they declining said ‘you are a woman and we have nothing to say to you’ – to which I answered, ‘I ask no courtesy at your hands on account of my sex’…When the men refused her offer and took Daniel Neall away, she followed them, continuing to argue, so intent on what she was doing that she forgot to be afraid for herself. With Lucretia watching, the men rather shamefacedly smeared a little tar on Daniel’s coat, attached a few feathers, and gave him a token ride on a rail. They then turned him over, virtually unharmed, to the little Quaker woman. “
Source of quotes: Valiant Friend by Margaret Hope Bacon
The Emma Field Novels 