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February is Black History Month in the States. It amazes me how many noteworthy people history has shamefully glossed over. I recently learned of this lady.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
WRINKLE IN TIME
Sarah scanned the words in her McGuffey’s Reader. For most of her life they’d meant nothing to her. Literacy was a privilege reserved for white folks.
She lifted the book to her nose and breathed in its aroma. Like cloth for a new dress, it thrilled her. It smelled of freedom.
Now she would be able to understand her clients’ written instructions and fill out receipts.
More importantly, she could read to her babies.
“Mrs. Boone, would you like to read the next sentence?”
“Yes sir!” She grinned at the teacher and read haltingly, “‘Come, kitty, my own little kitty…’”
***
To read more about this highly motivated woman CLICK HERE
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Thanks Rochelle for sharing this very inspiring story.
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My pleasure, Sadje. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome
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It’s a mystery to me how anyone acquires a love of reading from early encounters with “See Spot run”. But it happens, and it’s a wonderous thing
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Dear Neil,
I remember Dick and Jane with affection. They opened a whole new world to me. There’s something magic about the written word, isn’t there? Thank you for a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Reading your weekly post is always a pleasure Rochelle. I thank heaven, that my local library had copies of the Reverend Awdry’s Thomas and friends children’s books available.
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Dear Michael,
I’m very grateful I had the privilege of learning to read. A love affair from “See Spot Run” to Steinbeck. Thank you for your lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Too many are passed up by the pages of history, and so many of those passed are minorities or women. Or both, like Sarah. Nice story.
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Dear Trent,
To have been black and a woman…two strikes against her and yet she overcame. How can you not admire Sarah Boone? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I love how you focused on Ms Boone’s reading even more than on her patent. While inventing something is definitely worthwhile, being able to run her business by herself is even better. And for that, she needed to learn how to read. Love the text you chose to match the photo, too!
Shalom and lotsa happy reading (coz it’s more fun than ironing),
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I love it when a plan comes together. 😉 I think it takes a lot of strength and courage to take on the task of learning to read later in life. It’s something we take for granted in this day and age and, at times, find it to be a drudgery. Yet as I type and think about the wonderment of these letters coming together to make words (and typos) it makes my heart race.
Women like Sarah should be remembered with respect and honour. Nu? 😀
Although I’m not all that wild about her invention or the use thereof. At least I’m not putting a plank on two chairs.
Thank you for your encouraging comments.
Shalom and lotsa literate hugs,
Rochelle
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Lovely how that works out, eh?
And yes, women like Sarah deserve much respect!
Believe it or not, laundry and ironing are the things I hate the least about housework…
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I actually don’t mind ironing. I let it pile up so I can binge watch as I go. 😉
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There ya go. Win, meet, Win!
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Dear Rochelle,
Thank you for writing about this remarkable woman. I like how she linked reading to freedom. Slaves weren’t allowed to read or write although Frederick Douglass taught himself. It is very sad that so many notable people of color are glossed over. If it weren’t for Black History Month when we can celebrate their lives and accomplishments, many would go unnoticed.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
How sad that something many of us take for granted had to be fought for by others. This part of American history boggles my mind. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The description of that book smell as freedom – gorgeous. And it can mean exactly that.
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Dear Iain,
I am a book sniffer. 😉 Especially old books. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I always look forward to your next little nugget of knowledge! Never heard of the woman before, and isn’t that sad! She was an overcomer. We need more like her.
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Dear Linda,
Battles are won by overcomers, aren’t they? I found her story inspirational, even if it’s not my favorite invention of all time. 😉 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the title “A wrinkle in Time”. She certainly helped remove many wrinkle’s in the fabric of life. Thanks for the education.
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Dear Jan,
In case you’re not familiar, “A Wrinkle in Time” was the title of a young adult sci-fi. Shannon and I read it together many years ago. Of course I do like to sew a few historical seams now and again. 😉 Thanks, m’luv.
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A wonderful story, Rochelle, and an inspiring woman. Literacy and education are such precious privileges. I’ll never understand that so many, instead of inspiring to it, refuse it these days.
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Dear Gabi,
Literacy is a privilege. You’re right. Too many take it for granted while others in the world are still denied. Thank you for your validating comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful story Rochelle.. inspiring
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Many thanks, Vartika. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s amazing what people can overcome – especially, dare I say it? – women.
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Dear Liz,
I am woman, hear me roar! 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She loved books. She made history! Now, her name too is in the books!
First patent is special 🙂
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Thank you, Anita.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Knowledge is power. That’s why we still ban books. We can’t have people reading “A Light In The Attic.” They’ll get ideas.
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Dear Nobbin,
Knowledge is power indeed. To keep a person from it, is to keep them under control. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for sharing this historical story and for the education!
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Dear Anne,
My pleasure. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
Oh, how the power of the word feels freeing.
New info for us … gracias 👍🏻
Abrazos y Carino
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
Being able to read is the door to magic realms and kingdoms, isn’t it? Something we shouldn’t take for granted. ¿no? Gracias para tus palabras amables, mi amiga.
Abrazos y shalom,
Rochelle
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Books are a gift from every perspective. I totally agree about how wonderful they are.
Have a great week, mi amiga. Abrazos 🤗 😎
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I feel she steps through a portal in this story. Beautiful writing.
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What a lovely things to say. Thank you, Lisa.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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What an amazing woman, fortunately I use the wash, tumble dry and shake method of keeping me looking smart! Brilliant stuff Rochelle, really interesting.
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Dear Shrawley,
I let my ironing accumulate, as a rule, then watch a movie or something while ironing. Thus it is a looked forward to event. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very well done! Thanks for the history lesson today. I had never heard of her,
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Dear Andrea,
Oh the things I learn on Facebook. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We’re so lucky that, having the ability to read we are able to access our history. You’d think, therefore, that we might utilise that gift more often so we can learn from it. A lovely tale, Rochelle.
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Dear Sandra,
The ability to read is most certainly a gift…in so many languages. There would certainly be no Friday Fictioneers without it. Thank you for your kind and validating words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful, Rochelle.
While it is good to know our history, no matter how sad, it is wonderful also to know about successes like this and to see that we are not where we were. May the march to equal rights continue. Well done, again.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
Funny how I wasn’t interested in history as a youngster. As I’ve aged and so many of my memories are history in the eyes of the next two generations, I’m reminded of the importance to remember it.
I’m marching right there with you.
Shalom and Congratulations, my friend. 😉
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle.
That is good to know,
Peace,
Bill
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What a wonderful historical tale!
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Many thanks, Neel. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Being able to read and write is my privilege and is the gateway to a wonderful world.
I know a few people who do neither and seem very shy to ask for help. It is never too late to learn I tell them.
Lovely story Rochelle with the historical context to remind us how determination and steadfast faith can lead to better things in life.
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Dear James,
I still remember the excitement of learning to read as a very young child (thanks to my mom and phonetics). One of my greatest childhood joys was to lose myself in a good book. Thank you for your kind words re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We tend to take the ability to read for granted. It’s only when we read of someone like this that we begin to appreciate how fortunate we are. Thank you for sharing this with us Rochelle.
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Dear Keith,
We do take reading for granted, don’t we? We complain about “dry reading.” Reading directions, newspapers, etc etc. But what if we couldn’t? We do well to realize it’s a privilege that’s sadly not given to everyone. Thank you for your validating comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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reading is one of life’s great pleasures indeed. it frees you from ignorance too. nice story. 🙂
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Truer words were never spoken, Plaridel. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I enjoyed learning about Sarah Boone. I hadn’t heard of her until now. An inspiring story. I particularly like the image in the second paragraph of Sarah smelling the book, and the connection with cloth. Very apt. Great title too.
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Dear Margaret,
Is there anything as enjoyable as sniffing an old book or a new piece of fabric? I’m grateful to my Facebook friends who post these obscure historical snippets. They often send me to Google. 😉 Thank you. Glad you caught the title.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A wonderful way to share Sarah Boone’s story. Impressive how you were able to find a way to recognize Black History month, tie in a photo with a kitten and speak about a topic near and dear to writers, the joy of being able to read.
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Dear Clare,
Many thanks for such a magnificent and validating comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great piece of inspiring history.
To be honest, I was having some trouble reading that script in your picture!
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Dear Ali,
And this is why we shouldn’t lose cursive writing. Who’ll be able to read historical documents?
At any rate, thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That is such a moving story and I loved her reaction to the smell of the book, how it thrilled her like the smell of cloth for a new dress.
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Dear Jilly,
Viva the sense of smell! Thank you for your lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fabulous !
A terrific snippet for this month. To read is indeed a pathway to freedom.
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Dear Laurie,
Without the ability to read and write there would be no Friday Fictioneers. 😉 (Among many other things.) Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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struggle for freedom, nice story
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Thank you, Arora.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you dear Rochelle, for another precious historical gem.
I so resonated with Sarah, as I’m such a book sniffer.
“She lifted the book to her nose and breathed in its aroma. Like cloth for a new dress, it thrilled her. It smelled of freedom.”
Ah! yes the smell of freedom and possibilities galore. I felt I was Sarah for a moment. 🙂
Have a wonderful new week. Hoping in late with Dale’s endearing photo prompt. Was too irresistible to miss. 🙂
Love and light,
Natasha
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Dear Natasha,
It’s nice to know I’m not the only book sniffer out there. 😉 I love Dale’s picture and couldn’t resist using it. Thank you for your lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Amazing story, Rochelle. Thanks so much for sharing; I am glad to have learned about Sarah Boone.
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Dear Sascha,
I’m so glad you enjoyed my little bit of history. Than you for your lovely comments. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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