We Belong to History: A Feminist Perspective (The Journal of M.L. Smitherman 1848-1861) by Mary Carol Farber

About the book

We Belong to History: A Feminist Perspective (The Journal of M.L. Smitherman 1848-1861) recounts the struggles of a young feminist writer at the dawn of the women's movement. In a fictionalized narrative and journal, Mary Carol Farber, intertwines the life of Margaret Louise Smitherman with those of the founders of the women's rights movement. Farber spins a compelling tale of history, the strength and courage of women, and the undaunting tenacity of the human spirit.

A gift of a journal from her husband leaves young Margaret anxious. Not yet knowing what she wants to do with her life, she uses it to reminisce and reflect. Her feelings are brought to the surface at a family gathering, when she realizes that the men are discussing war and politics while the women serve them refreshments and share recipes.

As an Oberlin graduate, she was profoundly influenced by the school which, despite the times, allowed women and people of color to matriculate. Her parents had encouraged her education and intellectual pursuits as well, but more important, they encouraged her to think for herself and for all of that she is grateful.

Often discussing politics and issues of the day with friends and family members, many who are also involved in politics and cases of their own, she realizes that her own life is so much more blessed than that of other women. She is determined to put her gifts to good use and help make changes in a world that she sees as seriously flawed. With the education and means to pursue a writing career, in a time when women were not allowed to vote, she wields political influence through her writing.

Excitedly, she plans to travel to Seneca Falls, for the First Women's Convention. Although, the reality of the trip turns out to be much harder than she anticipated, at the convention she is reunited with old college friends who are now involved with abolition, temperance and women's rights issues. She returns home invigorated and ready to play her part in advancing the rights of women. Her husband, however, is preoccupied with the war in Mexico.

Despite the many issues, which overshadow it, she determined to work for the rights of women and newspaper accounts of the convention help fuel the debate on their right to vote. Other of her friends are just as actively involved in issues of their own and they all balance their work for equality with the needs of their families. Even as she struggles with the issues, her sister in law dies in childbirth, and the road through this grief is particularly long.

Even her brother moves on though, and gets involved with the Underground Railroad. Before long the slave issue takes precedence over all others and despite her spirit to continue in the fight for women's rights, Margaret realizes that emancipation is truly for everyone. Violence is erupting across the country as the issue is forced and she too becomes involved with the Underground Railroad.

Life is never simple or one sided, and she learns about the temperance issue, that alcohol abuse often goes with the abuse of women, and she seeks to get involved in forming a women's residence. Wrestling with her own feelings, there is friction in the women's movement as various members marry and have children. She feels her contribution is really in her writing and she stays involved with the hope that one day her daughter will be able to attend college.

The Dred Scott decision rocks what is left in the stability between the North and the South. Margaret is scared for her country and the world in which she is raising her children. The home front is no more comforting; somehow troubled by a church member, she tries to approach her, but gets nowhere. She finally visits an old friend and learns that the woman's husband drinks and beats her. Margaret goes to the minister for help, but to no avail, so she decides to make friends with the woman. She continues her work with women's rights and determines to find a way to help her.

Bad political news once more puts the country into an uproar over the issue of slavery and now the economy as well. The financial panic of 1857 makes paper money useless, but the Smitherman's feel secure with their savings in gold. That security is threatened, by a knock on the door, on a quiet family evening. The woman from church and her daughter have been badly beaten. Both die. Although she has to fight to get it published, Margaret writes about the incident. She argues that the slaves have the Underground Railroad, women need as much and she rallies the community to join together and build a women's shelter.

The Underground Railroad is never far from her thoughts either, and as the country moves toward a conflict on the issue of slavery, she prepares their home as a station. Her resolve is put to the test when she sees a flyer asking for the return of a run away slave child. Seeing the child has been branded on her forehead, she tears it down in anger, but as quickly as she was overcome by her emotions, she realizes those emotions could jeopardize the safety of everyone who depends on the Underground Railroad. She would never let those emotions endanger anyone again. That vow is put to the test when the first group of runaway slaves arrive at her home. The child is in the group and Margaret is compelled to hear her story. When she hears it, she is just as compelled to write it. As she writes of the child and her life as a slave, Margaret's journal is transformed. It is no longer her journal alone, but the journal of all those whose voices are too weak and of so little power they could never tell their stories alone. With Margaret's final lament about the lack of freedom for all, the clouds of war gather.

About the author

Mary Carol Farber was born in Lockport, Illinois. Mary Carol holds a B.A. in History from Elmhurst College. She works at Elmhurst College Library, and is a substitute high school teacher. Her chief interests for decades have been the women's movement and the Civil War. Mary Carol is actively involved in a number of historical organizations, including Salt Creek Civil War Round Table and The International Women's Writing Guild. The source of inspiration for this author has always been her family. She is the mother of two grown sons, Jonathan and David, and lives in Elmhurst, Illinois with her husband Howard of thirty-two years.