The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Carol Carr
In this week’s prompt we’re looking down a hallway. The walls and floors are made of stone. There are iron doors open along the way to a back door. There’s a table and chair in the left side of the foreground. Light is streaming through the door at the end of the hallway.
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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
INCURABLE
Elizabeth lay on her cot counting the stones on the ceiling.
Had she not had the audacity to disagree with her husband’s theology, she would be tucking in her babies at this very moment.
This was insanity. If a woman dared to displease her almighty husband, it was his legal right to banish her for her “incompetence.”
After three years in Jacksonville Insane Asylum, it took a jury seven minutes to declare her to be of sound mind. Elizabeth Packard left the courtroom a free woman.
They had called her mad but all she did was refuse to be silent.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Excellent story, Rochelle, as usual, rooted in history. Thanks for the link too.
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Dear Geeta,
I’m glad you clicked the link. So much more than can be shared in a hundred words. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s no accident that the word hysteria is derived from the Latin for womb
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Dear Neil,
Nope. No accident at all. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We tend to forget that it wasn’t so long ago women’s rights more or less didn’t exist. In researching a story set in the late 1940s some time ago, I discovered that in many cases, a woman couldn’t open up a bank account in her own name without her husband’s permission (this varied state by state). Even in my childhood, not that many women drove and in the 1970s, “Virginia Slims” cigarette ads touted how women had the right to smoke just as much as a man.
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Dear James,
I’m old enough to remember having to have my husband’s signature to get a credit card. We’ve come a long way, baby. 😉 And not by smoking.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow. What a strange life that had to have been. The fact that she overcame all those adverse situations shows how strong she was as a person. Good story.
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
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Dear Jan,
I’m just glad you can’t have me committed for disagreeing with you. 😉
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Sometimes we don’t seem to have got very far… and then other times we see that we have. Wonderful, Rochelle.
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Dear Sandra,
I know what you mean. In some ways we’ve made progress, but in others, not so much. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an inspirational woman she was, she made such a difference for those that came after her. It was certainly worth clicking the link.
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Dear Keith,
She was an inspiration. I’m glad you took the time to learn more.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a determined woman – so strong she could have easily buckled under the regime. How many more Elizabeth’s never made it out – thanks for sharing her story Rochelle 💜
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Dear Ange,
Apparently many other women did buckle. Sad and maddening. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I read Kate Moore’s meticulously researched book on her last year, https://www.kate-moore.com/the-woman-they-could-not-silence
Elizabeth is one of my greatest heroines. After reading what she and so many others went through and how she stayed strong despite “the authorities” best efforts, she is an excellent role model for those trying to be silenced everywhere.
Thank you for highlighting Elizabeth’s story today ❤
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Dear Lisa,
Thank you for sharing the link. Have you read the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper”? My pleasure to hilight such a heroine.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, no I haven’t read it, but it looks like I should. You are welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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That was really interesting, and something new for me, learning about Elizabeth Packard.
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Thank you, Chris.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Where will it all end, m’lady?
They’ll be letting women drive cars next!
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Dear C.E.
There are many words that rush to my lips. 😉 I’ll leave it at thank you for stopping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Silence maybe the reaction to fear.
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Dear James,
I’m sure too many women were silent with fear. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s an interesting story.
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Thank you, Lily.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your story and the added information is sad but so inspirational. She could have given up, but she fought hard to help the vulnerable. Wow! Thank you for sharing her story, Rochelle.
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Dear Brenda,
It was my pleasure to share her story. One hundred words didn’t begin to cover it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I loved reading this.
The link was also very informative.
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Thank you, Chioma.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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what an amazing woman. i wonder what happened to her husband.
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Dear Plaridel,
She and her husband didn’t divorce but lived separately until his death in 1885.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An excellent retelling of a true horror indeed. And it wasnt too long ago that’s the thing. I mean, medicine and treatment for women is still so far behind because of this sort of thing. Niccely told reminder, Rochelle
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Dear Laurie,
Thank you for your generous comment. We do have a long way to go, don’t we?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I don’t know. She looks pretty mad in that picture. Humanity has a long history of silencing anyone who challenges cherished beliefs. Unfortunately, while the penalty may not be literal imprisonment, with the advent of social media, it seems to be getting worse, instead of better.
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Dear Nobbin,
I have to agree that social media hasn’t done us any favors. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How many others have endured these horrors? Too many, to be sure. She was definitely a force. Thank you, Rochelle, for another fab story.
Shalom
🕊️
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Dear Nancy,
I’m sure there were countless others who fell victim to the same fate. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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