Meet Inspiring Massachusetts Women

More than Petticoats: Remarkable Massachusetts Women tells the stories of eleven strong and determined women, all of whom broke through social, cultural, or political barriers to achieve greatness. Through their passions-including fighting for the emancipation of slaves, negotiating for improved work conditions in the mills, and elevating housework to a science called "home economics"-these pioneers made contributions to society that still have an impact today.
Meet Deborah Samson, who masqueraded as a young man to join the Continental army during the Revolutionary War; Eleanor Creesy, who navigated the most famous clipper ship of the Gold Rush era; Maria Mitchell, whose scientific career was launched by discovering what was to be named "Miss Maria's Comet"; and Fannie Farmer, the cooking instructor whose cookbook took the guesswork out of measuring ingredients.
Each of these women embodied a remarkable determination and an indepen dent spirit that is as inspiring now as it was then. Read about their exciting lives in this collection of brief and absorbing biographies.