Something Worth Doing: A novel of an early suffragist by Jane Kirkpatrick ~ Book Review

Abigail Scott was a young 19 year old school teacher when she married Ben Duniway much to the dismay of her father who wanted to marry her off to an older man whom Abigail did not like.  Ben, for the most part, is supportive of Abigail's dreams which is unusual for a husband of the times.  But though Abigail gave up her school teaching to raise a family and help Ben in his horse training business she knows she was born for more than that.  When Ben makes some bad business decisions and then gets injured, Abigail is forced to become the breadwinner of the family.  While raising their 6 children Abigail starts a private school, runs a millinery which requires her to make buying trips, runs the farm along with trying to write a novel and owning a newspaper.  When she sees how women are treated Abigail believes that in order for women to have better lives they must be able to secure the right to vote.  Her life's focus, writing and eventual public speaking turns to fighting for women's rights and winning that right to vote.  But is the cost to her family too great?

This book was based on the true story of Abigail Scott Duniway who worked for over 40 years for women's suffrage in the state of Oregon.  Her life of persistence and vision in the face of insurmountable odds speaks to how deeply she felt the importance and passion of what she considered her mission. The story is very well researched, documenting how hard it was for women and much admiration comes from me to women like Abigail who fought so hard in those very tough times for all women but I must admit I was just not pulled in.  There was something about the pacing of it that did not make it flow for me making it a bit choppy.  I found the personality of Abigail grating throughout the book and very selfish at times and therefore could not cheer on some decisions she made.  I felt for her family at times who's needs always came second to Abigail's and that of her work.    And because of that I felt conflicted throughout the story.  While admiring and realizing it is because of the work of women like her that I have certain rights as a woman today, I also didn't connect with her or much liked her and the way she at times treated her own family.  The book is definitely worth reading, however, just to gain the sense of the uphill climbs these women faced, the sacrifices they personally made and how hard they worked and for how long to gain the right to vote for all women. 

I rated it a 7.5/10