Writing Out My Heart: Selections from the Journal of Frances E. Willard, 1855-96 (Women, Gender, and Sexuality in American History)

Delve into the intimate world of Frances E. Willard, one of the most influential reform leaders of the nineteenth century, in "Writing Out My Heart: Selections from the Journal of Frances E. Willard, 1855-96". This poignant collection from her expansive forty-nine-volume journal offers a rare glimpse into Willard’s private struggles and triumphs as she navigated the complexities of temperance, slavery, women’s rights, and her personal identity. Published on August 1, 1995, this book not only highlights Willard's formidable role in shaping the Woman's Christian Temperance Union but also portrays her as a symbol of the burgeoning era of gender equality, racial justice, and religious freedom. Supplemented with a thoughtful introduction and detailed annotations, this book is an essential read for college students studying women, gender, and sexuality in American history. Through Willard’s writings, readers will encounter a woman of profound character and relentless determination, whose life’s work continues to inspire current and future generations in the realm of social justice.