Changing the Equation by Tonya Bolden

This is a fascinating look at what black women bring to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in America.  They may be immigrants in the past or present but they add to our knowledge.

Abram's sent me a copy of this book to read for review (thank you).  It will be published March 3rd.

This book is written for young readers so it's much less dry than adult non-fiction.  There are also lots of pictures to help you envision the era and the challenges they faced.

The early pioneers in this field were scorned for wanting to know the sciences since they were women..  They were also felt to be inferior because they were black.  It's hard to go on in schooling when no one likes you and they all keep telling you that you will fail.  Maybe some did but these women ignored the naysayers and even went so far in their education they got P. H. D.'s.

They looked hard at the sciences and took the time they needed to work out the mysteries.  The white men didn't have to work that hard.  The women had to if they wished to succeed.

I found this to be an enjoyable read.  I enjoy reading stories of those who fought the odds and won.  I graduated from college at forty and that took some effort, too.  I was working fulltime, sometimes had night meeting but I took night classes and made the dean's list.  Sometimes you have to fight for what you want.

Maritcha A Nineteenth-Century American Girl by Tonya Bolden

Maritcha is a young black girl growing up in New York in the mid-1800's.  She's a free black but she still sees segregation.  This story was created from her own writings and family photos.

Abrams Books for Young Readers sent me a copy of this book for review (thank you).  It has been published, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

I really like how Ms. Bolden put this story together.  She not only records the events of the time and how they influenced Maritchas' life, she includes photos of her family, the town, the buildings, and more.  The area where she grew up has turned into Manhattan.  New York itself is truly a mixing bowl of cultures and people.  Free Negros were not an unusual thing there.

Her family ran a boarding house for sailors.  I was surprised to find that the black men became sailors for their livelihood.  I don't have much knowledge about this time period or New York history but somehow I had visions of black sailors that were more like slaves.  I was wrong.

I liked the fact that her family helped the Underground Railroad get slaves to Canada, where they could be free.  I was sorry to see how the tumult of the era burnt their home and they had to find temporary housing in another area.  They were determined, though.  They returned.

Maritcha had a burning desire for learning.  She had to appeal her case to get into high school.  She spent her whole life being strong and willing to work hard to get what she wanted.  You still have to do that if you want to achieve your goals in life.  If Maritcha could do it, you can too.  Just read about her trials and keep pushing on.