The Political Activities of Detroit Clubwomen in the 1920s: A Challenge and a Promise

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments In this research I am the grateful beneficiary of outstanding historians, archivists, family, and friends. I wish to thank the staff of the Burton Historical Collection at the Detroit Public Library. David Poremba, Cheri Gay, John Gibson, Barbara Louie, Janet Nelson, Lillian Stefano, Winston Johnson, Romie Minor, Jackie Lawson, and Anna Savvides tirelessly assisted me in every way possible. The staff at the Bentley Historical Library of the University of Michigan always provided quick and efficient service for my research needs. I am especially grateful for the assistance of Karen L. Jania. Lastly, the research librarian of the Detroit News, Linda Culpepper, answered my many e-mails promptly and with invaluable information. All of the above people share a dedication to Detroit’s history and helped immeasurably. I would like to extend my thanks to Dr. Leslie Page Moch, Dr. Richard Thomas, and Dr. Louise Jezierski, who spent endless hours reading drafts and conferring with me. Each has contributed his/her unique ability to this work. I am indebted to Dr. Maureen A. Flanagan , whose brilliant command of political, urban, and gender history pushed me to explore the nexus of those three fields. Her commitment to me was unfailing. She spent countless hours reading drafts and making suggestions. Our numerous hours in conference were both productive and enjoyable as she opened her home and hospitality to me many times. I consider myself most fortunate to have worked with such a fine historian. The accomplished staff at Wayne State University Press has worked with me on this book over the last five years. They contracted expert reviewers whose insights and suggestions have made this a stronger and more interesting book. I am grateful to Kathryn Peterson Wildfong, editor in chief, who consistently supported this research x ACKNOWLEDGMENTS from the beginning. I was extremely fortunate to have Jennifer Backer as my copyeditor. Finally, I wish to thank my family and friends who supported this effort. My sister, Judith Morris Mullen, and my dear friend Susie Barr were always encouraging. I am grateful to my parents, the late Herbert and Helen Morris, who raised me in historic Quincy, Massachusetts, and shared their love for both books and history. I am most thankful for my family, John, Jack and Geoffrey Crowther, to whom this book is dedicated. They all patiently contributed in many ways. They were a constant reminder that what motivated Detroit clubwomen was a love of family. My husband, John, always respected my research and made many sacrifices, too numerous to mention. He facilitated my research trips to Detroit and, regardless of the hour, always assisted me with my many computer needs. His academic standards are the highest, and I still aspire to emulate his scholarship. ...