Women of Courage from Revolutionary times to the present

by Margaret Truman

Brief biographies emphasizing the courage of twelve women both famous and little-known in United States history.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Womens, American History

254 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Mary Margaret Truman Daniel was an American classical soprano, actress, journalist, radio and television personality, writer, and New York socialite. She was the only child of President Harry Truman and First Lady Bess Truman. While her father was president during the years 1945 to 1953, Margaret regularly accompanied him on campaign trips, such as the 1948 countrywide whistle-stop campaign lasting several weeks. She also appeared at important White House and political events during those years, being a favorite with the media.
After graduating from George Washington University in 1946, she embarked on a career as a coloratura soprano, beginning with a concert appearance with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 1947. She appeared in concerts with orchestras throughout the United States and in recitals throughout the U.S. through 1956. She made recordings for RCA Victor, and made television appearances on programs like What's My Line? and The Bell Telephone Hour.
In 1957, one year after her marriage, Truman abandoned her singing career to pursue a career as a journalist and radio personality, when she became the co-host of the program Weekday with Mike Wallace. She also wrote articles as an independent journalist, for a variety of publications in the 1960s and 1970s. She later became the successful author of a series of murder mysteries, and a number of works on U.S. First Ladies and First Families, including well-received biographies of her father, President Harry S. Truman and mother Bess Truman.
She was married to journalist Clifton Daniel, managing editor of The New York Times. The couple had four sons, and were prominent New York socialites who often hosted events for the New York elite.

Reviews

[Rose Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Several of the Women of Courage were familiar to me from history classes, but many were not. I particularly enjoyed reading about Kate Barnard of Oklahoma. I lived over twenty years in Oklahoma and I had never heard of her work before this book. Every woman was remarkable, and had an amazing story that added to history.

[Glen Chern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret Truman, daughter of President Harry Truman, presents a compilation of profiles of 12 women she selected because of their act of remarkable courage. Each of these women faced remarkable challenges under extraordinary circumstances, and rose to the occasion.

Historically, these profiles included women from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries in the United States. It was the two most recent profiles which caught my attention and inspired me. One was that of Senator Margaret, Chase Smith of Maine. The other was of Francis’s Oldham Kelsey, who headed up the FDA’s new drug approval program in the 1960s.

Senator Smith, a Republican, took on the Republican establishment, including the popular senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin. McCarthy had become known for his often baseless accusations against federal employees he claimed were communists. He often made these allegations on the floor of the senate in an effort to humiliate those employees. Most Republicans in the Senate at that time, the 1950s, were fearful of taking on the senator from Wisconsin because he had a reputation for character, assassination of those who challenged him. Senator Smith and six of her Republican colleagues, drafting a resolution calling out the senator for his conduct. She was instrumental in passing a censure resolution against McCarthy.

Dr. Kelsey took on the Merrill Company Which had attempted to obtain approval for a drug that was to be marketed as a sleeping pill as well as a cure for morning sickness for pregnant women. The drug’s generic name was Thalidimide, And had been tested and in use in England and Germany, among other European countries. Dr. Kelsey and her staff learned that the drug was causing cases of numbness in the feet and hands of adults. In some instances, patience suffered permanent disability. The Merrill Company, repeatedly presented misleading information that attempted to cover up the negative flex of the drug. They also discovered that infants born to women who had used the drug in Europe, appeared with significant birth, deformities affecting their hands and arms. Dr. Kelsey was repeatedly pressured by a doctor representing Merrill, who had even gone so far as you tried to get her fired or otherwise demoted at the FDA.

I strongly recommend this book which proves that women are equally capable of acts of courage as well as demonstrating intelligence and character in the face of adversity.

[Michelle Adamo #EmptyNestReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Courage is sometimes defined as the quality of mind and spirit that enables a person to meet danger, difficulty, or pain with firmness. There are varieties of courage. Bravery is daring and defiant; heroism, noble and self-sacrificing; fortitude, patient and persevering. American women have shown them all.”

Author Margaret Truman is the daughter of President Harry Truman, the 33rd President of the United States; 1945-1953 and First Lady Bess Truman She has collected the histories of 12 women who meet her definition of courage. "They range from an Indian to a United States senator, an Irish immigrant to the daughter of slaves, to a first lady. Most of them wore bonnets and ankle-length skirts, few had college degrees, and only a handful ever stepped into a voting booth.” However, each of these women “spoke the same language as their sisters of today”, fighting for fairness, safe working conditions, health care, protections for Native Americans and other minorities and against Joseph McCarthy’s fight to route out alleged communists with no proof or trial.

Noting that the development of courage and bravery “has been an evolution”, especially when it comes to women, Truman provides a short biography of each woman as well as an explanation of the situation in our country at that time. An informative and well-written book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Margaret Truman b. February 17, 1924, d. January 29, 2008

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[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I selected this "Women of Courage" for a leisurely read about some famous American women who have shown courage in their life. I did not want a massive biography on these women; I wanted an overview of women of influence in American history. "Women of Courage" gave me what I wanted; Truman's look into the past pays tribute to the courage of 12 American women from the Revolution to the present. Several of the women were expected; however, some of the others were women with whom frankly I was unfamiliar. Certainly there were several ladies any of us could think of who were not included; however the book was very enjoyable and informative. The book and the women were well-researched and educational; it brings to light so many admirable feats by brave women ~ very inspiring and enlightening.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women of Courage covers 12 women who were courageous in ways that many would not recognize as courage. This book should be required reading for every girl and woman.

I did disagree with the account in one chapter but Ms. Truman wrote the story as it was portrayed at the time of her writing. New evidence has been found which changes that story somewhat, however, the premise of the courage of Marian Anderson is strong.

I recommend this book to all women who want to recognize courage when you see it; who need to know strong women's stories; and anyone who loves history.

[Rebecca Dehart Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really glad I read this. I learned so much since I was only vaguely familiar with two of the women discussed. I really liked Truman's thoughts on the different types of courage and she seemed like such a positive person. This book is more a commentary than the other nonfiction I've read. I didn't mind it too much because Margaret Truman kept it classy. This book is dated as it was published in the 70s and there are many more women since then that deserve to be profiled now. It was worth the read!

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't Great Literature but it is a valuable book by a woman who had access to a lot of first-hand info. It is a very quick read about 12 "usual" women of unusual courage. It is well worth reading! It has inspired me to find actual biographies of several of the less-famous women. Margaret Truman was herself a Woman of Courage so it is appropriate she wrote this book. She was a competent writer with a conversational style.

[Charla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed Margaret Truman's mystery stories for many years, and just recently discovered this book. It's wonderful. I am, of course, slightly biased because I am a woman. I wish I'd known about women such as those she writes about. I wish I had not been so afraid of confrontation or of disappointing my mother. I hope the women she writes about, including some of whom I had never heard, will be inspirations to a new generation of mothers and girls.

[Barb Slatter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Read

Eye-opening and interesting stories that spans history and disciplines. These stories show how the strength of these women's convictions honor their principles, determination and fortitude. This book should be a must read for all who underestimate themselves and need to realize their own internal strengths! These women that Margaret Truman shares are women that might have been forgotten by name, but not by actions.

[Saleena Berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book, and told many heroic and courageous stories about women. I was just expecting to read about more historical women, although I know the author stated that she chose the 12 for her own reasons. My favorite, courageous, woman to read about was Mary Harris Jones - "Mother Jones". She just seemed like such an iconic representation of what a strong, courageous woman is, and how fear is just in the mind. Overall, the book was okay.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book by Ms. Truman. Most of them were women I hadn't heard of or knew little about, but all with interesting stories. Margaret Chase Smith I had at least heard of, but I had no idea of her role in putting an end to McCarthy's witch hunt. I was especially affected by the last story in the book. When it started I thought I knew what it would be about since I was old enough to read about what happened and see the pictures in Life Magazine.

[Amy Chizen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, quick read

This book allows you to get to know some of the great ladies from our past. Even if you think you know their story, Truman has more info here that you should know. So many make contributions that are ignored or forgotten over time that we should be aware of. You can't include them all, but this is a terrific start.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Very well written and she chose a wide variety of women and their examples of courage during a different time and different problems. I was sorry it ended - it was such an uplifting book about several women that I had not heard of and circumstances that were all difficult. I think it is a great book for any female to read.

[Margaret McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting and historical

This book was a joy to read. Well-researched and educational, it brings to light so many admirable feats by brave women. Every young girl should read this book for inspiration.

[Deborah Vietze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dry but intetesting

Little more than a wiki of 12 historically important women. Interesting but not a page-turner. Ending essay somewhat self-aggrandizing. Simply put, find your own biographies.

[Carolyn Filzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a "teaser" book. I plan on finding out more about several of the women that Margaret Truman covered in her book and mentioned in the epilogue--women that others thought she should have profiled.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Fantastic short stories of courageous women, their struggles, the outcome.

[CHEYENNE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to learn about historical women. I gleaned stories of courage, fortitude & gallantry to share with my daughters.

[Beverley Lombardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the short biographies which gave the salient details of the women. It is a book that young women should read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simply written bios of twelve women, most of whom, we’ve probably never heard about. I hope to read more about Marian Anderson and the story of thalidomide, the FDA and Frances Kelsey.

[Yvonne M. Ewing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting historical read

I enjoy reading about people and events of historical importance and feel the women described in this book were shown to be deserving.

[Aimee Mercure · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. I liked the format of it and it was interesting to read. I enjoyed the fact that the women that she focused on were somewhat obscure.

[Stephen Tubbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quality selection.

[Savta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting selection of women, most of whom I had not come across in other reading. Ms Truman's depiction of each woman, her times, her actions that credit her with courage and the resulting effects of each woman's choices brings alive the history, most often ignored or given short shrift in history books, of our country. I would recommend this book to youngsters from pre-teen years to all women of any age or background. Very inspiring and enlightening.

[Yvonne Self · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are so indebted to these women

Thank God for Frances Kelsey and her determination to keep thalidomide off the market during the years my babies were born

[Dawn Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

As always for Ms.Daniel.there are several people you will learn about that you never knew their "back" stories. Thank you

[Bonnie Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting stories of assertive women. Some I had never heard of before.