The real story of the first woman to run for US President (1872), the first woman broker on Wall Street, the first to publish a mainstream newspaper, the first address Congress (on Woman’s Suffrage). Bold and beautiful, Victoria C. Woodhull's story is one of power, politics, passion, and persecution.
On April 2, 1870, readers of the New York Herald open their newspapers to an astonishing headline: “The Coming Woman, Victoria C. Woodhull, to race for the White House!” So begins the story of power, politics, passion, and persecution surrounding one of the most fascinating and controversial women in American history.
Already the first woman broker on Wall Street, the first to publish a successful, mainstream newspaper, and the first to address the all-male Senate Judiciary Committee, on May 10, 1872, the Equal Rights Party officially nominates her as the first woman to run for U.S. President. Former-slave-turned-statesman Frederick Douglass is her running mate.
If Victoria thought she was persecuted before, it is nothing compared to what follows. Refusing to give up, she fights back the only way she knows how, landing herself in jail on election day and provoking the longest, most sensational civil trial in U.S. history.
A historically accurate, entertaining biographic novel.
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Excerpt
“Order! Order! I am the chair of this meeting, and I say order! This meeting has been called for Mrs. Woodhull to express her views. Mrs. Brooker can present hers in her own time in her own hall. I introduce again: Mrs. Victoria C. Woodhull.”
The crowd settles somewhat under Tilton’s authoritative presence. Victoria gives him a grateful look and resumes her speech.
“People may make marriage vows in perfectly good faith and repent of them in sackcloth and ashes within a twelve-month period. Would it not be the Christian way, in such cases, to say to the disaffected party, 'Since you no longer love me, go your way and be happy, and make those to whom you go happy also'?”
“Are you a Free-lover?” Whitelaw Reid yells from the crowd.
Victoria stops in mid-step. A gasp ripples through the room as she flings back her head and red spots of anger flame her cheeks. Her eyes blaze. Her voice rings clearly.
“Yes, I am a Free-lover! I have an inalienable, Constitutional, and natural right to love whom I may, to love as long or as short a period as I want, to change that love every day if I please! And with that right neither you nor any law you can frame have any right to interfere!”
Andrews glances desperately at Blood, but he is staring at Victoria with pride and love. Andrews shrugs and throws away his notes, since Victoria is obviously no longer speaking from the prepared text.
In the back of the auditorium, Henry Ward Beecher stands in the shadows, hat pulled low and collar high to avoid recognition. He listens transfixed as Victoria takes a deep breath, and her voice becomes less combative.
“The highest kind of love is that which is utterly devoid of selfishness. Whose highest gratification comes from rendering the object of that love the greatest amount of happiness, let that happiness depend upon what it may.” Victoria walks to the edge of the stage. Her voice softens, and the room becomes still to hear her.
“I dearly prize the good opinion of my fellow beings. I would so gladly have you think well of me. It is because I love you all that I tell you my vision for the future. The order of nature will soon determine whether society is right, or I am right. Let that be as it may. The love I cannot command is not mine. Let me not disturb myself about it nor attempt to filch it from its rightful owners.
“A heart that I supposed mine has drifted and gone. Shall I go in pursuit? Shall I forcibly capture the truant, transfix him with the barb of my selfish affection, and pin him to the wall of my chamber? No! Rather let me leave my doors and windows open, intent only on living so nobly that the best cannot fail to be drawn to me by irresistible attraction.”
There is dead silence. Henry Ward’s eyes fill with tears as Victoria gives the audience a long, pleading look. “Contemplate this and then denounce me for advocating freedom if you can, and I will bear your curse with a better resignation.”
With a final, tremulous smile, Victoria leaves the stage. There is scattered applause, but mostly stunned silence. Henry Ward quickly slips out a side door.
Police have to hold back the crowd as Andrews, Tilton, Moulton, and Blood escort Victoria and Tennie out the backstage entrance to their carriage.
Professional Reviews
Bookpleasures.com
As election 2016 buzz begins, once again the controversial question is: Will Hillary Clinton run for, and perhaps be elected as, the first female President of the United States?
But more than 140 years before Hillary, in the 1870’s, there was a woman who ran not once but four times for President – even before women had the right to vote. That brave yet little-remembered woman was Victoria Woodhull.
Author Karen J. Hicks has written a novel based on the infamous feminist’s life, a cleverly entertaining (and presumably fact-based) way to tell Ms. Woodhull’s story. Historical figures such as President Ulysses S. Grant, religious figure Henry Ward Beecher, suffragist Susan B. Anthony, financial tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt and statesman Frederick Douglass are brought to life as prime “characters” in the novel.
Readers first encounter Wall Street businesswoman Victoria and her sister Tennie in 1870. She’s launched her first bid for candidacy and wants to celebrate with Tennie at famed Delmonico’s Restaurant. But the two are turned away because it’s after 6 p.m. and women aren’t allowed to dine unaccompanied by a man. This is but one of the laws she vows to change if elected.
Victoria is quite racy (and therefore highly controversial) by 1870’s standards. She is married but advocates free love, and believes strongly in the spirit world and the advice it can offer, patterning herself after President Abraham Lincoln in that respect. She shares these beliefs during the many speeches she gives, and is at first befriended by fellow suffragists Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton for her staunch belief in women’s rights.
She helps form the Equal Rights Party and argues before Congress that women already have the right to vote according to wording in the Constitution. It’s not an easy journey for Victoria, and readers will be rooting for her all the way, especially during her bouts in jail for exposing the hypocrisy of Reverend Henry Ward Beecher among her many “crimes.”
It would take until 1920 before the 19th Amendment finally gave women the official voting rights Victoria had long campaigned for.
Perhaps the only flaws in the book are the repeated phrases that at first seem to reflect the time period (“teetotally” is often used by Susan B. Anthony and others, and “my god” seems to be the first exclamation that sister Tennie often resorts to). It’s clever a few times, but a bit exhausting after that.
Otherwise, author Hicks masterfully writes a story that is not only fascinating from a literary standpoint, but it also uncovers a little-known and important part of American history.
The Golden Age Springs to Live
Amazing book. GREAT read!!! Did you know that she ran for president before women could vote? she was SUCH a character. Young and old alike will get something fun from this book. Karen Hicks writes in such a compelling way you will not want to put this book down. The Golden Age springs to life under Ms. Hicks pen. Don't miss it. I believe you will love this book.
Timely! Great Novel about a Real-Life Woman Ahead of her Time
Buzz is already building about the 2016 Presidential election. Will Hillary Clinton run again...and if so, could she become the first female President of the United States? But more than 140 years before Hillary, a brave and outspoken woman named Victoria Woodhull ran for the office not once but four times - before women even had the right to vote! And her efforts to work for women's rights were controversial, especially for the 1870's, when the book opens.The author does an amazing job of weaving real-life facts and historical characters into a novel. An easy read and wonderful way to get a history lesson that doesn't feel like a history lesson.Read this book not just because it will profile a little-known woman but because it is just great literary fun.
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