#ellemott

Marie Conner, A Leading Lady: Her Life and Civic Leadership in a Bygone Era Non-Fiction Biography - Women in History Setting - Oregon Publisher ‏ : ‎ Luminare Press Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 11, 2026 Print length ‏ : ‎ 316 pages Paperback ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8886799729 Digital ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8886799736 ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GFGTN761 Marie was born a girl. That was only her first mistake, according to her father. In an era when daughters and wives are not supposed to be concerned with matters outside the home, Marie is determined to prove him wrong. To do this, she must break down barriers placed on women in society, overcome difficulties that befall her, surpass hardships from the Great Depression, and then face an inevitable relocation. Marie steps into her community and into the hearts of many people to give her time and help with their needs. She wants nothing in return other than her father’s acceptance as a worthy woman, and yet, she gains much in return, even if it is not her father’s praise. This is Marie’s story—of a rise from her girlhood angsts to become a leading lady—and much more. Dollycas's Thoughts Elle Mott has penned a loving memoir telling the world what an extraordinary woman her great-grandmother, Marie Conner, was. Marie Conner was born during an era when women were expected to remain in the background, their voices seldom heard, and their contributions often overlooked. Society dictated that women care for their families, leaving leadership and public matters to men. Despite these constraints, Marie was determined to prove her worth, especially to her father. She not only raised her family but also became a leader in various charities and organizations. Her relentless involvement with groups such as the Red Cross, American Legion, Eastern Star,  the PTA, and more showcased her dedication and outspoken nature. Marie united women to work collectively for the greater good, driven by her passion for helping others and her desire to challenge her father's beliefs. Her packed social and civic schedule would have overwhelmed most people. Today, a woman with Marie's ambition and energy might be found holding public office or running a major company. Ms. Mott goes into great detail about Marie's daily life. The woman was always on the go. The author's research allowed her to not only list the events Marie participated in, but also the people involved, the decorations, and even the food served at these gatherings. I found her "Needs for the Needy" column especially interesting; it brought the community together to help others. It grew into a major undertaking. For me, it was similar to what we have in communities today through St. Vincent de Paul, churches, and other organizations. Marie Conner was a steadfast person, motivated to create positive change both in her community and within her family. However, her relationship with her oldest son, Dick, was troubled; at one point, she referred to him as "the eyesore in her family," reflecting the high expectations she held that he never seemed able to meet. Marie also placed particular importance on her first grandchild and first great-grandchild. As a grandmother of eight, that hurt my heart, as I try to give them all, all the time, and resources I can, as my parents did for my children and me. This behavior seemed to echo the lingering influence of Marie's father on her life. Marie Conner, A Leading Lady, spans the early 1900s to the 1980s. It offers readers a vivid glimpse into the life of a strong, complex, and determined woman. Marie's contributions were truly inspiring, and her actions made a significant difference in many people's lives.  I was happy to have her brought to my attention and enjoyed learning about her life. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC. Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent Elle Mott writes creative nonfiction. This is her third book. She is the author of “Out of Chaos: A Memoir” and “People Helping People.” Her other writing pieces have been featured in literary journals, news magazines, and anthologies. She has a background working in libraries, both at the college level and, for more than ten years, at the public library in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. While library work is her livelihood, writing is her passion. Elle grew up in Oregon and now makes her home in the suburbs of northern Kentucky with two cats and several pet birds. Author Links Website    AllAuthor    LinkedIn     Facebook      Goodreads    Kofi Purchase Link - Amazon  Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways. Read the full article

Marie Conner, A Leading Lady: Her Life and Civic Leadership in a Bygone Era by Elle Mott COMING IN MARCH! About Marie Conner, A Leading Lady Marie was born a girl. That was only her first mistake, according to her father.       In an era when daughters and wives are not supposed to be concerned with matters outside the home, Marie is determined to prove him wrong. To do this, she must break down barriers placed on women in society, overcome difficulties that befall her, surpass hardships from the Great Depression, and then face an inevitable relocation.       Marie steps into her community and into the hearts of many people to give her time and help with their needs. She wants nothing in return other than her father's acceptance as a worthy woman and yet, she gains much in return, even if it is not her father's praise. This is Marie’s story—of a rise from her girlhood angsts to become a leading lady—and much more. COVER REVEAL Chapter 8 “To Follow Life’s Lead” Marie stood poised and sported a houndstooth dress with an ascot scarf that flowed and dropped perfectly just below her neckline. Her polite smile, accentuated by red lipstick with rounded corners, conveyed a benevolent charm as she welcomed guests to a teacher’s reception on Thursday evening, September 16. Parents and PTA members showed up in a record-breaking attendance to meet sixty-three teachers in the south wing of Lebanon High School. Parents were handed name tags to pin on their suit jackets, and teachers wore corsages. Marie greeted each person as they walked in, and the total in attendance numbered more than two hundred. Once everyone was seated comfortably in the high school’s Little Theater, Marie stepped up to the podium and introduced herself as the 1948—49 PTA president. Her attentive audience listened as she next introduced the superintendent of the Lebanon schools, Mr. James King. Mr. King’s speech emphasized the student population growth. They now had 950 grade school students, up from the previous year’s 622. The high school was no exception in that it had increased to 1,620 students. He also gave mention to Green Acres School, which would soon open. With an expressed appreciation for all that the PTA was doing, Mr. King recognized that they had their hands full. In all plausibility, Marie held her head high and nodded with a can-do-attitude. It was a tall order, but she had successfully led a Red Cross fund drive as residential chairman and had managed the unit’s finances with the American Legion. She was accustomed to organizing events and assuming responsibilities. She knew that this PTA presidential term would experience many firsts in their membership pool. They now had room mother presidents not only in the two grade schools but also in the high school, along with a greater number of committees and chairman positions. And, as Mr. King had said, another grade school would open later that school year, which meant even more room mothers for Marie and her officers to lead. She knew she could lead the PTA. If only her father could also have known that. About Elle Mott Elle Mott writes creative nonfiction. This is her third book. She is the author of “Out of Chaos: A Memoir” and “People Helping People.” Her other writing pieces have been featured in literary journals, news magazines, and anthologies. She has a background working in libraries, both at the college level and, for more than ten years, at the public library in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. While library work is her livelihood, writing is her passion. Elle grew up in Oregon and now makes her home in the suburbs of northern Kentucky with two cats and several pet birds. Author Links Website    AllAuthor    LinkedIn    Facebook   Goodreads    Kofi Purchase Links - Coming Soon Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent   Read the full article