In honor of an historical moment in our US history, this post is brought to you by CAROL SIMON LEVIN – just in time for the 2016 Presidential Election. Here’s Carol:
I was working on a coloring and activity book for “Bridge Builder in Petticoats” then realized we were at a historic moment in our country — 240 years after Abigail Adams wrote her husband John to “remember the ladies” when the founding fathers drafted the laws for a new nation and warning that “If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice or Representation,” 168 years after the Seneca Falls Convention calling for women to get the right to vote, 96 years after the passage of the 19th Amendment actually granting women that right, we finally have a woman presidential candidate from a major party.
I got the idea on June 8, 2016 (my birthday and the day Hillary got enough electoral votes to become the nominee), postponed working on “Bridge Builder” and have been burning the midnight oil (and then some!) working with 35 talented illustrators who created images for the 64 women I eventually profiled. The whole project was completed in just under 4 months so it would be out well in time for the 2016 election!
My motivation is to help girls and women (and sympathetic guys) recognize that the vote is precious and we shouldn’t take it for granted. I chose to do it by creating a unique coloring book with the hope that coloring might spur curiosity, and that reading the facts, fascinating factoids, and quotes from these amazing women would motivate the people to exercise their voices and their votes alongside their colored pencils! As Carrie Chapman Catt wrote when the 19th Amendment finally passed, “The vote has been costly. Prize it.”
Carol Simon Levin is a Youth Services Librarian, author, storyteller and program presenter based in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Whether she is impersonating the woman who helped to build the Brooklyn Bridge, telling the amazing stories of early women in aviation, engaging families in a rousing Halloween Hootenanny of songs and stories, expanding on the mathematical and artistic possibilities of a simple square, or sharing the story of a dolphin who learned to swim with an artificial tail (along with activities to help children understand what it is like to live with a disability), she always strives to create exciting programs that engage her audience’s interests and expand their horizons.
She is happy to bring her presentations to libraries, senior centers, historical societies, schools, camps and other venues. She has always been particularly fascinated by the history of technology and women’s history. Visit tellingherstories.com or facebook.com/TellingHerStories for more information on her books and presentations.
Additional programs and resources for children and teachers can be found at: carolsimonlevin.blogspot.com.
Carol Simon Levin is a member of the New Jersey Library Association, the New Jersey Storytelling Guild, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. 
TELL US YOUR FAVORITE HEROINE FROM HISTORY AND BE ENTERED IN A DRAWING TO WIN A FREE COPY OF CAROL’S BOOK!
Winner will be announced here on 11-9-16.
Darlene Beck-Jacobson 
I enjoyed this post this morning. I find It interesting and inspiring, to read about the creative journeys writers take.
I enjoy that journey as well. Thanks so much for taking time to comment Shiela.
Check this out — Profiles of women who were born before the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote was ratified! #iwaited96years http://www.facebook.com/iwaited96years/
Great link. thanks carol.