With revolutionary spirit, two Quaker cousins rebel against tradition. Inspired by Progressivism’s cultural changes and evolving sexual mores, they challenge parental authority and Quaker propriety to become New Women. One is notorious: Alice Paul endures censure and prison to win suffrage for women, a political powerhouse who organizes the first women’s march on Washington and the first pickets in front of the White House, obtains ratification of the 19th Amendment, then writes the Equal Rights Amendment.
The other is completely unknown: spinster Susanna Parry, whose story of passion and rebellion remains untold until a dusty box of letters is discovered in her attic after her death. The letters reveal young Susanna confronting societal norms and parental control to be with the woman she loves. Defeated, she carries on, finds healing in European travels, survives tuberculosis, and at last discovers her calling in philanthropy.
This epistolary biography unfolds through the letters: Alice describes youthful pranks at Swarthmore College and settlement house work in New York and England; Susanna’s roommate “E.” writes of forbidden love for her “Wifie”; young Susanna’s humorous letters vividly describe her many European travels and her studies at the Woodbrooke Quaker Centre in England; older Susanna finds long-distance companionship in poetic letters from a Norwegian activist and New Woman from her past.
The story of Susanna and Alice emerges: two Quaker rebels – a plucky feminist icon and a retiring philanthropist with a secret – who struggle to live authentically and, despite some failures, prevail.
Reviews
“In this thoughtful exploration, Leslie Denis weaves together the stories of women’s rights activist Alice Paul and her cousin Susanna Parry. Though related by family blood and Quaker values, the two women responded to the opportunities and constraints of their era to lead dramatically different lives. With fast-paced writing Ms. Denis makes the most of a unique set of family letters, demonstrating that ‘People fade away like old photographs. Their words, written and saved, remain.’”
Lucienne Beard, Executive Director of the Alice Paul Institute, 2012-21
"In Leslie Denis’ Susanna and Alice: Quaker Rebels, Alice Paul is an early feminist visionary defined by her Quaker values of spiritual freedom. She stands strong and tall with a vision of a national equal rights amendment, even when others call her crazy. She keeps on going – never wavering – when drafting a constitutional guarantee that she first introduced 100 years ago. She lived to see her ERA passed by Congress, but it remains unratified. Perhaps this next generation will finish Alice’s work and realize her dream for women’s full equality under the law. Onward."
Marguerite Kearns, An Unfinished Revolution: Edna Buckman Kearns
and the Struggle for Women’s Rights, SUNY Press, 2021.
“Readers interested in local history and genealogy will enjoy Susanna and Alice: Quaker Rebels. Of particular interest to the Historical Society of Riverton are the college letters, as many prominent Riverton Quakers attended Swarthmore. Of broader interest is the book’s history of the evolution of women’s rights and personal freedom: Susanna Parry rebelled against parental control in her struggle to gain personal freedom, while her cousin Alice Paul more aggressively rebelled against governmental restrictions in her struggle to achieve political equality for all women. Inspired by a box of letters discovered in Susanna’s attic, the author presents how the cousins challenged traditional Quaker perspectives and moved us forward with the idea that rights are inherent. A phenomenal read.”
William McDermott, Vice President, Historical Society of Riverton
“Susanna and Alice: Quaker Rebels chronicles the lives of two women whose intertwined, personal stories serve as bookmarks in the critical history of women’s fight for equality and individual freedom. Leslie Denis’s book provides a perfect background narrative as we commemorate the 100th anniversary of Alice Paul’s introduction of the equal rights amendment. It should be required reading for girls and women of today, so they can learn about earlier ‘rebels’ who paved the way.”
Whitney Ransome, Co-Founder and Co-Director, The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools
Reader Comments
I welcome comments from those who have read Susanna and Alice: Quaker Rebels. Following are some excerpts that have been very encouraging, especially from readers who had not previously heard of Alice Paul.
Marilyn H., Easton, Maryland: “Such an interesting true story of two women coming of age in the years before the First World War, told through old letters discovered in an attic. The author weaves history and context throughout the story. You are taken back in history to a seldom discussed era where women fought for equal rights, the vote, and the right to live and love as they see fit. The story gets more interesting by the page.”
Linda J., Murfreesboro, Tennessee: “Riveting story, I couldn’t put it down…. I had no idea Alice Paul was so instrumental in the Women’s Movement. The letters and travel journals that Susanna wrote made me feel like I was right there with her. I received the book one day and finished it the next. Please read it, you won’t regret it.”
Lee S., Moorestown, New Jersey: “A compelling book which chronicles the quest for women’s rights by Alice Paul and her cousin Susanna Parry. From, an old box of forgotten letters, the author weaves together the parallel lives of these fascinating women, from Susanna’s luxury travels and generous philanthropy to Alice’s suffrage protests, imprisonments, and forced feedings. By the end of the book; the reader feels (s)he knows them personally and doesn’t want their story to end. A timely, pertinent must read!”
Gail F., Kennebunk, Maine: “I loved the story – it was so interesting and very informative. In many ways it was a history book and one that gave me lots of new information about the struggle for women’s voting rights. I am ashamed to say that the story of Alice Paul was basically new to me. Thank you for this, especially at this time when in the US women’s rights seem to be under attack on many fronts. Susanna’s story is also a reminder of the limitations our sisters endured in the past and I pray these limitations remain in the past. But in spite of everything Susanna lived a life of giving that should challenge each of us to do more to support our sisters and brothers in need. Your book also increased my respect for the Quaker way.”
Ted M., Sarasota, Florida: “I wanted to write and express my congratulations on your work. Your love of family and pride in their accomplishments came out loud and clear. You developed the historical setting well and your ability to empathize with Susanna’s and Alice’s lives was also well done…. I believe Susanna and Alice would be very proud! … I have ordered additional copies of your book to give as gifts at Holiday time. I have 7 granddaughters that I felt should especially read about Alice’s work and the abuse that those who worked for suffrage endured. They should know that the vote they enjoy was hard earned. Susanna’s philanthropic endeavors are also a good example to follow.”
Marguerite K., Santa Fe, New Mexico: “Your book is a treasure.”
Whitty R., Boca Grande, Florida: “Congratulations on a masterful job.”
Lee S., Moorestown, New Jersey: “My book group is currently reading your book…and has given it rave reviews….Two girls have already bought the book for their daughters.”