Author’s Note
Becoming Herself was inspired by my maternal grandmother, Margaret George, a woman I never met. This is not her memoir. While some of the names are true, all the characters, their virtues, and their flaws are products of my imagination.
What is true is that Margaret immigrated from Ireland as a child, and her mother died on the voyage to America. She was adopted by John and Elizabeth Meyers, farmers in a small town in western New York. She married Eli, raised a family, and served as her church organist. My mother Eva, her sixth living child, remembered the book burnings during World War I. Margaret died tragically in a kitchen fire on November 21, 1936.
In researching this novel, I was struck by how much history is now available at our fingertips. Facts about Ireland’s Easter Rising, the New York suffragette movement, and the hierarchy of hens in the flock could be researched without ever leaving my desk. Yet no amount of research replaces lived experiences. Having visited Ireland on several occasions, my memory has a reservoir of tales of its folklore, its ‘fairies’, and the unbridled majesty of its coast. You need only to visit this island once to be charmed by its landscape and its people.
The same is true of western New York, where rolling green hills and harsh winters forge resilience in those who live there. These are people aptly described as ‘the salt of the earth.’
I am proud to have roots in both these lands.
The prejudices that Margaret faces as an Irish immigrant—and the backlash Americans of German heritage encounter during World War I—echo in today’s headlines. My hope is that, even though it is a book of fiction, we learn from the mistakes of our past.
Historical Facts
Margaret’s journey begins at the turn of the 20th Century and unfolds against a backdrop of social and political change. These real events are woven into the novel.
Married Women Need Not Apply
The practice of “marriage bars,” which restricted the employment of married women, began in the United States in the late nineteenth century, particularly in the teaching and clerical professions. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, these restrictions expanded into many other industries as well. The prevailing rationale was men needed jobs in order to support their families, and married women’s employment threatened that priority.
Marriage bars were not prohibited by law until 1964, when Title VII of the Civil Rights Act banned employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, or ethnic origin. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 further protected women by ensuring that they could not be fired or forced to resign because of pregnancy.
Irish Independence
On Easter Sunday, April 24, 1916, a group of Irish patriots proclaimed the establishment of the Irish Republic, announcing that Ireland was severing its political ties with Great Britain. The rebels seized key buildings in Dublin, most notably the General Post Office, and armed conflict ensued. Within a week, the insurrection—later known as the Easter Rising—was suppressed. More than 400 people were killed, and the rebellion’s leaders ultimately conceded defeat.
British authorities imprisoned the surviving rebels and brutally executed the Rising’s leaders who never faced a trial. Although the Rising initially had limited popular support, the harsh reprisals imposed by the British government dramatically shifted public opinion in favor of Irish independence. Those executed came to be regarded as martyrs for the nationalist cause.
In 1919, Sinn Féin (‘we ourselves’) representatives convened in Dublin in and formally declared Ireland’s independence. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) then launched a guerrilla war against British forces in Ireland.
Following a cease-fire on July 21, 1921 of the conflict Great Britain and Irish representatives signed a treaty establishing the Irish Free State, a self-governing nation within the British Commonwealth. However, the six northern counties of Ulster remained part of the United Kingdom, a division that continues to shape Irish history.
A fully independent Republic of Ireland was formally proclaimed on Easter Monday, April 18, 1949.
The Foggy Dew
The lyrics to “The Foggy Dew” are generally attributed to Father Charles O’Neill ofCounty Down, written 1919. Legend holds that he was inspired after attending the first session of the Dáil Éireann, Ireland’s House of Representatives and was particularly moved during the roll call of imprisoned patriots, when the response “faoi ghlas ag na Gaill” (locked up by foreigners) was given.
Women Get the Vote
The struggle for women’s suffrage in the United States was long and arduous. Beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, generations of women organized, lectured, marched, lobbied, and endured arrest and imprisonment in pursuit of the vote — a right many, including President Woodrow Wilson, viewed as a radical constitutional change.
On June 4, 1919, the U.S. Senate narrowly passed the Nineteenth Amendment, granting women the right to vote. The amendment was then sent to the states for ratification.
Ultimately, the decisive vote came from a young Tennessee legislator, Harry T. Burn. Originally opposed, Burn changed his vote from “nay” to “aye” after receiving a letter from his mother urging him to support women’s suffrage. By heeding her counsel, he secured the final ratification, and women could cast a ballot as of August 26, 1920. The rest is history.
Book Club Discussion Guide
Becoming Herself explores immigration, identity, love, loss and the early fight for women’s rights through Margaret’s eyes. It is the start of the 20th Century and the world will see women’s hemlines rise, airplanes take to the skies and a war that was to end all wars. These questions are designed to help you lead the conversation about her journey, the choices she makes, and the historical forces shaping her world.
Margaret’s Journey
- The novel opens with Margaret’s father making a difficult decision after her mother’s death. How did you react to his choice? How does grief shape the decisions people make?
- When Maggie enters the orphanage, she is seen as ‘different’ because of her accent and where she came from. She is no longer called “Maggie” but becomes Margaret. How does being different than others shape her identity?
Love, Family, and Sacrifice
- How does Eli’s courtship of Margaret set the stage for their marriage? Do you believed they loved one another? What choices did women have at the turn of the 20th Century?
- When Margaret became a mother, she had no manual to guide her. How would you describe her as a mother? How do you view her relationship with Louise? What advice would you give her regarding Eli and Leon?
- How does she (or does she) balance her growing involvement in the outside world with her role as wife and mother?
- Margaret’s bond with her brother James is rekindled through letters. In this world of social media and instant communication, how would this have bond developed? What might be gained or lost through living in today’s digital world?
Historical Forces
- How do societal events such as the fight for women’s right to vote and World War I shape Margaret’s path?
- How are women making their voice heard today?
Friendship
- Margaret reflects that when she is with the other women in the choir, I can breathe. In what ways did female friendships support her? How did her friendships shape her path?
- How would her life have been different if she hadn’t met Belle?
The Reader’s Journey
- Describe how you see the events that took place after Margaret stopped writing in her journalunfolding?
- In what ways does Margaret become ‘herself’?
You’re the Host
If you’d like to begin your book club gathering with foods that reflect the setting and spirit of Becoming Herself, these recipes offer a welcoming start—and a sweet finish—to your discussion.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Buffalo’s famous chicken wings are better suited to a tailgate than a book club. This creamy dip captures the same flavor in a form that’s easy to prepare ahead and serve when guests arrive. Do provide plenty of napkins.
- Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- ¾ cup cayenne pepper sauce
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ¼ cup chopped scallions, plus extra for garnish
- Tortilla chips and celery sticks for serving
- Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, blend cream cheese, hot sauce, and sour cream until smooth.
- Stir in chicken, 1½ cups cheese, and scallions.
- Transfer to an ovenproof serving dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake 20 minutes until bubbling; broil briefly until lightly browned.
- Rest 5 minutes before serving.
Strawberry Pie
Maureen’s sister Mary, who lived in western New York, was known for her simple yet memorable strawberry pie—an ideal nostalgic dessert.
- Ingredients
- 1 (9‑inch) pastry shell, baked
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 1 (3‑oz) package strawberry gelatin
- 4 cups sliced strawberries
- Whipped cream for serving
- Directions
- Line unbaked crust with foil and bake at 450°F for 8 minutes; remove foil and bake 5 minutes more. Cool.
- Combine sugar, cornstarch, and water; bring to a boil, stirring until thickened.
- Remove from heat; stir in gelatin until dissolved. Cool slightly.
- Arrange strawberries in crust; pour gelatin mixture over.
- Refrigerate until set. Serve with whipped cream.
Apple Cider Margaritas
A seasonal twist on a familiar cocktail—apple cider adds warmth to the classic margarita.
- Ingredients
- 2 cups apple cider
- ½ cup tequila
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- Sugar and cinnamon for rimming glasses
- Apple slices for garnish
- Directions
- Combine cider, tequila, and lemon juice in a pitcher.
- Moisten glass rims and dip in sugar‑cinnamon mixture.
- Pour into glasses, garnish with apple slices, and serve.