A True Pioneer For Women In Government
Happy Women's History Month. Please help me spread the news about my new book — Politics, Partnerships, & Power — featuring Marguerite Stitt Church, one of the first 50 women elected to Congress
Greetings from a VERY excited debut author — and Happy Women's History Month!
I'm thrilled to share that my first book, a dual-biography co-authored with Jay Pridmore, is finally available through independent bookstores and major retailers everywhere. Politics, Partnerships, & Power: The Lives of Ralph E. and Marguerite Stitt Church is here, just in time for Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (March 8th).
I'M ASKING FOR YOUR HELP
Please consider being a part of my book’s HERO TEAM! I’ll make things easy: Just scroll to the section below called HOW TO HELP for some quick and simple ways you can spread the word.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Politics, Partnerships, & Power: The Lives of Ralph E. and Marguerite Stitt Church was published in December by Master Wings Publishing. Readers interested in civic engagement, women's studies, and political history will find this title particularly interesting and informative.
Politics, Partnerships, & Power is more than a biography about mid-20th-century politics; it's also a love story about a political power couple whose four decades of legislative service in their Illinois congressional district shaped local, national, and international policy.
In 1950, U.S. Rep. Ralph E. Church died suddenly of a heart attack while testifying at a congressional hearing on Capitol Hill. His widow, Marguerite Stitt Church, ran for her late husband's vacant seat — and won. She then won each of her five re-election campaigns.
As one of the first 50 women elected to Congress, Marguerite — described as "the ideal public servant" — broke national election records, helped to shatter gender and race barriers, and changed minds about America's long-established political expectations for women.
Fans of biography, historical non-fiction, political science, women's empowerment, mid-20th-century political life, and women in government will appreciate this deeply researched examination of the lives of two former members of Congress. Politics, Partnerships, & Power is the ideal book for readers interested in social reform, civic engagement, history (including congressional, political, and U.S.), policymaking, and, most notably, women in history.
WHY I CO-WROTE THIS BOOK
I first took an interest in Marguerite Stitt Church after hearing she'd been a more effective legislator than her husband. Over seven years — including the pandemic lockdown — Jay Pridmore and I researched and co-wrote Politics, Partnerships, & Power. Jay is the author of more than 30 books on history, architecture, and urban affairs. We were two authors writing the first biography about these two former members of Congress.
It was a privilege to learn about these individuals before they began their legislative lives — and to understand many of the influences that shaped their shared, political outlook.
I've been particularly fascinated by Marguerite Stitt Church’s brave decision to enter national politics in 1950 — a time when few women took such risks — and that she preferred to be called a congressman, rather than a congresswoman.
While she possessed all the traits of a modern-day feminist, Marguerite (and many other strong, independent women of her era) distanced herself from that term.
During my research, I discovered, among many other things, that several of the struggles and tragedies punctuating Marguerite's life occurred in March — a month that would eventually become Women's History Month. For example:
• March 17, 1914: Marguerite and her classmates survived a catastrophic fire at Wellesley College.
• March 21st, 1950: Marguerite’s husband Ralph dropped dead of a heart attack while in office.
• March 1st, 1954: Marguerite survived a mass assassination attempt on Congress during the second session of her second term in office.
• March 15th, 1972: Marguerite’s 13-year-old grandson was struck and killed in Evanston Illinois, by an elevated Chicago Transit Authority train near Nichols Middle School.
WRITING THE BOOK
While I was interested in both of the Churches as a political power couple, I was particularly interested to learn everything I could about Marguerite. I admired her intelligence, her resilience, her pioneering spirit, her community-building skills, and her ability to unite Democrats and Republicans. I had so many questions, including:
• What was Washington like when Marguerite arrived as a member of Congress – rather than as a congressman’s spouse?
• How did Marguerite manage to thrive in the male-dominated national political arena?
• How did Marguerite approach matters like civil rights, children’s issues, women’s rights, family welfare, efficiency in government, bipartisan engagement, and aging?
• What inspired Marguerite to ignore warnings from others when she invited the first Black guests into the House of Representatives' private dining room?
• How did Marguerite become one of the most effective and beloved members of Congress?
• How did Marguerite decide it was time to retire?
HOW TO HELP
There are many ways to be a LAUNCH HERO:
1. Celebrate with me
Attend my FREE Book Launch Celebration & Presentation
The Evanston History Center, in partnership with the League of Women Voters, will host a Book Launch Event on Sunday, March 10th, 2024
3:30-4:45 pm
Evanston History Center
225 Greenwood Street
Evanston, IL 60202
Free and open to the public. Space is limited. RSVPs are required.
2. Order the book
a) Order from booksellers:
Bookends & Beginnings (Evanston, IL)
The Bookstall (Winnetka, IL)
Women & Children First (Chicago, IL)
East City Bookshop (Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.)
Solid State Books (H Street, Washington, D.C.)
Powell’s Books (Portland, OR)
Target
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Or, find local booksellers through IndieBound and request a copy (online or in person) from them.
b) Order from Christine
Order a signed copy of the book directly from me.
Want a signed copy from me? Order through my website, and I’ll send you a signed copy.
c) Order from the publisher
Are you a reviewer? Request a FREE COPY of the book, then write and publish a review…
Here's a link to request a free copy of the book.
3. Ask your local bookseller to stock the book
Send a quick email to your local, independent bookseller and ask them to stock the book for Women's History Month. If you’re not sure how to contact your local indie bookstore, check IndieBound for info. Feel free to copy and paste this language:
Greetings, and Happy Women's History Month!
I hope this email finds you well. I’m writing to request that you please stock copies of this brand-new release during Women's History Month:
Politics, Partnerships, & Power: The Lives of Ralph E. and Marguerite Stitt Church
Co-authored by Jay Pridmore and Christine Wolf
Distributed by Ingram Publishers Group West
ISBN-EAN / ISBN-13: 979-8985788655Thank you for your consideration!
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
4. Follow and share book news on social media
Follow on Facebook @PoliticsPartnerships&Power
Follow on Instagram @politics_partnerships_power
Follow on TikTok @politics.partners (book) and @christinewolfwriter (personal)
Follow Christine Wolf on Substack:
5. Share a blurb or review
I do not expect that you will endorse this book. I am only interested in impressions and endorsements that are heartfelt and authentic. And, if you’re sincerely enthusiastic about the book, I would love it if you wrote a brief description of your impressions about it. I'd be grateful to know what it stirs in you — or might be of interest to others.
If you do share a review, consider these options:
a) Goodreads and/or Amazon (see instructions below).
b) Your social media platforms, on your website, and in your newsletters/blogs. (Scroll to the end of this email for some blurbs and hashtags to copy and paste)
c) Or, simply email your review to me, and I'll share it with the publisher and on my social platforms.
How to share reviews on Goodreads & Amazon
If you're not familiar with Goodreads and Amazon book review sites, please take a look at them and practice posting a book review and rating for another book you've read and loved. Scroll down for detailed instructions on how to post reviews on these platforms.
Unfortunately, if you haven’t spent $50 with Amazon this year, you won’t be able to leave a book review on that site. However, Goodreads is still an option.
If the thought of writing a "book review" conjures up a 7th grade writing assignment, please try to let go of that! I’m not expecting anyone to post a long “review”. A few simple sentences on what you liked about the book (and why) will demonstrate to potential readers that the book has been enjoyed by others.
6. Forward this email
Please forward this newsletter, particularly to those interested in:
•Women who advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Women who are disruptors
• Inspirational women
• Women's history Women in politics
• Women in Congress
• Women leaders
• Women's studies
• Women in government
• Social activism
• Biographies
• Mid-20th-century history
• Political power couples
• Resilience
7. Suggest more ways to promote the book
Can you think of any organizations that might like to schedule a discussion about this book? Are there people/classrooms/groups who'd benefit from this subject matter? Can you suggest podcasts or publications that might appreciate discussions and/or content about the subjects in the book (please see this page for a list of topics covered in the book)? If so, please add your suggestions and ideas to this form.
THANK YOU
I'm deeply grateful for every bit of support. Together, we can reach more readers and raise awareness about this historic couple. THANK YOU for taking the time to peruse this newsletter, particularly amid such deeply troubling times.
I wish you a healthy and peaceful 2024.
Sincerely,
Christine
www.christinewolf.com/politics-partnerships-power
P.S. Enormous thanks to so many of my wonderful clients who’ve demonstrated remarkable patience as I navigate the launch of this, my debut book. You KNOW who you are, and you are NOT forgotten.
SAMPLE BLURBS
Feel free to copy and paste these to your social media accounts, newsletters, blogs, etc.:
BLURB 1
As one of the #first50womeninCongress, U.S. Rep. Marguerite Stitt Church (R-IL) broke multiple national voting records, survived a 1954 #massassassinationattempt in the #USHouseofRepresentatives, and passionately defended funding the #PeaceCorps in 1961. When she retired from legislative service at 70, it took three men to run her former congressional district.
#womenshistorymonth
#womensempowerment
#earlyfeminism
#PoliticsPartnershipsPower
#PoliticalPowerCouples
#newrelease #internationalwomensday #newbook #newrelease
BLURB 2
#NEW #BOOK alert, just in time for #WomensHistoryMonth and the #2024election. Politics, Partnerships, & Power is a must-read about a #mid20thcentury #politicalwife who assumes her husband’s vacant seat in Congress after his #suddendeath.
#womenshistorymonth
#womensempowerment
#earlyfeminism
#USPolitics
#PoliticalPartnerships
#PoliticalPowerCouples
#newrelease
#grief
#resilience
#internationalwomensday #newrelease
BLURB 3
Politics, Partnerships, & Power is a #biography and a #politicallovestory about a mid-20th-century, midwestern couple who dedicated their lives to legislative service. Readers interested in U.S. political history, women leaders, women in Congress, political power couples, and local/national/international politics will enjoy this deeply-researched #newrelease.
#womenshistorymonth
#womensempowerment
#earlyfeminism
#USPolitics
#PoliticalPartnerships
#PoliticalPowerCouples
#internationalwomensday #newbook #newrelease
BLURB 4
In 1950, after U.S. Congressman Ralph Church’s #suddendeath in office, his widow ran for his vacant seat and won — then went on to re-election 5 more times. Politics, Partnerships, & Power: The Lives of Ralph E. and Marguerite Stitt Church is a #biography and a #politicallovestory exploring U.S. Rep. Marguerite Stitt Church’s #devotion to her late husband, her community, and her country.
#womenshistorymonth
#USpolitics
#feminism
#politicalpowercouples
#newrelease
#earlyfeminism
#womeningovernment
#womenleaders
#midcenturypolitics
#internationalwomensday
BLURB 5
Raised in Manhattan’s posh, Upper West Side and a graduate of #WellesleyCollege and #ColumbiaUniversity — Marguerite Stitt Church gave up her career as a consulting psychologist to serve as her husband's #politicalhelpmate and raise their young family. But, after Ralph Church’s #suddendeath on #CapitolHill in 1950, his wife ran for his vacant seat and became one of the #first50womeninCongress. Politics, Partnerships, & Power is the first biography about a couple who gave 40+ yrs of service to their IL congressional district, shaping local, national, and international politics. Spanning everything from the awkward dance of #prohibition in #Evanston to Marguerite Stitt Church's involvement in the creation of the #PeaceCorps — with a focus on her legacy as a #pioneer for #womeningovernment — this historical nonfiction is a key #resource for #civicsgroups and #historybuffs alike. www.christinewolf.com/politics-partnerships-power.
#womenshistorymonth
#womensempowerment
#earlyfeminism
#USPolitics
#PoliticalPartnerships
#PoliticalPowerCouples
#newrelease
#internationalwomensday #newbook
Christine Wolf is an author, memoir writing coach, and developmental editor from Evanston. She facilitates Write to Heal retreats and workshops around the country and runs Writers’ Haven Evanston – a cooperative workspace for women writers near Chicago. In 2012, Wolf was one of 6 people selected to interview President Barack Obama live in a Google+ Hangout — the first time in American history that a U.S. President or The White House conducted an online interview in real-time. Wolf is currently at work on her memoir and shares sneak peeks with paid newsletter subscribers at christinewolf.substack.com.