Women of Character-- A Book Review

The best books in my personal library are non-fiction.

Those that I can relate to, 

while also being uplifted and inspired 

to be more

 and do more 

with the gifts and talents

however obvious or obscure

I have been blessed with.

In "Women of Character"

by Susan Easton Black and Mary Jane Woodger

I feel as though I have been at a delightful banquet

feasting upon the most delicious food for thought

as the two writers share

page after page

after page

the beautifully written biographies of 

women that span generations--

from pioneer days to these present days--

who they were,

how they lived,

and the noble legacies they left 

or are leaving behind.

My favorite?

That would be tough to choose,

for I feel a little akin to most of them 

in one way or another.

As though we have met before--

perhaps because I've met so many lovely, noble women

throughout my life,

women who have blessed my life in meaningful ways--

it is easy to feel akin to the chosen subjects of this book.

As my friend Nan says,

she could easily name 100 women she knows personally

and write a similar book.

I will say, I was so delighted to read more about

Zina Diantha Huntington Young.

She's my children's Gr-gr-gr Grandmother

on their father's side.

I rocked my first baby, David Scott,

in her rocking chair

before it was donated to the Beehive House

years ago.

She was known for her great compassion

which was manifested by her studies in medicine,

home nursing and midwifery;

eventually helping to establish Deseret Hospital in Salt Lake City,

and serving on the hospital board there.

In the book it noted that 

"Zina's greatest accomplishment, however, 

was her service in the Relief Society general presidency."

Zina served as the President for thirteen years.

She was also called as the Temple matron at the same time!

I may not be directly related to Zina,

or any other "wom[an] of character" named in the book,

but I am inspired by their examples

and feel a greater hope that I too,

by my words and deeds can do my best

in my own little corner of the world,

with whatever talents and abilities the Lord has blessed me with,

can make a difference.

This book is a treasure,

and I'm very grateful to Nan,

who gave it to me.

****

If you'd been asked by the authors to name a "Woman of Character",

whom would you say?