The Icon & The Idealist

 

Wednesday, May 7 at 6 p.m.

 

 

It has taken a very long time to recognize the contributions American women have made to our history, society and laws. 

One such woman is Mary Ware Dennett, suffragist and leader of the birth-control movement. In her advocacy, she presented a clear understanding of pregnancy and childbirth, bringing scientific fact to subjects long-shrouded in myth. Women were caught in a cycle of multiple births that sapped their energy and caused the families to stretch their already-meager wages to the breaking point. 

The Icon & The Idealist, the recent book by Stephanie Gorton, highlights Mary Ware Dennett’s efforts in this field. Although not perfect in her efforts, the forces against her were powerful and manipulative, and she shone in areas that were desperately needed.

Fighting alongside Dennett was Margaret Sanger, a well-known leader who fought for similar freedoms for women. Gorton’s book illuminates the different approaches each woman took, and how they eventually became rivals. This fascinating time in American history is written by Gorton with authority and clarity, making The Icon & The Idealist a pleasure to read.

Stephanie Gorton will be coming to Rice Public Library, Kittery, Maine on May 7th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss her book. We are honored to have her visit our small town in Maine to discuss the ebbs and flows of our government and  the long history of the struggle for women’s autonomy in the United States, fluctuating between the freedom to control our own bodies, and having those freedoms taken away.

 

Museum Passes

 

 

Museum Passes in Bloom

 

Our seasonal museum passes are back and ready to be reserved with your library card:

- Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (taking reservations; open May 1)

-Ogunquit Museum of American Art

-Strawbery Banke Museum

 

 

Reserve your passes here.

Lego & Crafternoon

 

Wednesday, May 14 at 4 p.m.

 

Lego Lovers of all ages are invited to the children's room for drop-in building and play.

Tweens and teens ages 11 and up are welcome to our monthly Crafternoon. This month, we'll be hand-carving rubber stamps.