Miss Blaylock's School for Girls : A headmistress's struggle to maintain her independence and career on the eve of the movement giving women the right to vote

by Robert Brandt

Age 42, headmistress of her own school, and in a comfortable, if ambiguous, relationship with a respected banker and Union army veteran-Carrie Blaylock was living the independent life she'd dreamed of. Then, in the summer of 1884, came the surprise of her life. It was unheard of for an expectant mother to continue teaching. Women teachers were expected to quit when they married. Miss Blaylock's School for Girls is the captivating story of a Nashville woman's courageous decision to confront confining social norms and maintain her independence. Along the way, Carrie is drawn to the movement that ultimately gives women the right to vote, which culminates with Tennessee, her home state, playing a pivotal role in the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment.

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2020

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the plot, characters, and historical background

This book is set in post-Civil War Nashville and the protagonist, Carrie Blaylock, has opened a School for Girls, which is her compelling interest. Her relationship with a former Union officer complicates her career, since married women generally stopped teaching. Miss Blaylock is not typical, though, and finds a way to maintain her school in her new circumstances, not without some controversy. Well written and engaging story.