She Devils at the Door (Carnegie Mellon University Press Nonfiction)

A highly readable history of two sisters who were leaders in the sufferagette movement in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania. They devoted countless hours to organizing, lecturing and organizing marches to attempt to convince men to grant women the right to vote. The book is a great lesson in how social and political change comes about - by the unrelenting determination of a few advocates. It is also interesting to read about those opposed to granting women the right to vote - many women!

This engaging story reveals how grassroots efforts galvanized western PA’s participation in the suffrage movement. Told through the stories to two dedicated sisters, they serve to inspire one to participate in the betterment a community. There are fascinating details and stories of Pittsburgh in its heyday of industrial growth, local politics and the fight to improve air quality.

The author has crafted an illuminating history of her persevering forebears who largely were responsible initially for women’s suffrage in the USA and later, for tight municipal oversight in a then corrupt Pittsburgh, PA. Her grasp of minute historical detail is impressive and quite educational. All should read this who have an interest in the concept that the quality of a community is defined by a very small number of people within it. Kudos for excellent research and presentation.