We love this book because it has an empowering and compassionate message for children. Goldie notices the needs of her classmates, and isn't daunted by the setbacks she faces when trying to solve that problem. It's also a great story, based on true events, about Israel's first female Prime Minister! Pick up a copy here.
Writing about Golda Meir’s early days in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
a guest post from Barbara Krasner
In August 2010, I was spending two weeks at a writers
retreat at the Highlights Foundation in Pennsylvania. There was a slight break
between the two weeks over a weekend. On that Sunday, I was invited as press to
attend the annual reading of the Moses Seixas and George Washington letters of
religious tolerance at the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island.
I wanted to take a break from writing intensely during the
first week. I perused the titles on the Highlights shelves and found Golda
Meir’s autobiography. That Saturday night, ensconced in a flea-bitten motel
across the bay from Newport, I began to read Golda’s autobiography. Her voice
was unmistakable, full of self and authority.
At first she wrote of her beginnings in Ukraine and her
immigration to the United States, specifically Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Then
within two pages, she described the formation of the American Young Sisters
Society and how she, as president, marshalled their resources to buy school
books for their classmates who could not afford to buy their own. I knew this
was the story I wanted to share.
Researching Goldie’s early life
Many resources could tell me about Golda Meir, the Israeli
prime minister, but few allowed me to delve deeply into young Goldie’s life. I
contacted the Milwaukee Jewish Historical Society and spoke with archivist Jay
Hyland. He was able to locate the September 2, 1909 Milwaukee Journal article
about the American Young Sisters Society and their fundraiser. It even had
their picture. Jay sent me the article.
Historical accuracy is important to me as a historian, so I
consulted histories of the Jewish community in Milwaukee and, through the help
of a friend in the Milwaukee school district, a history of the Milwaukee public
school system. I also worked with Norman Provizer, director of the Golda Meir
Center for Political Leadership at Metropolitan State College of Denver, to
ensure accuracy. Dr. Provizer and I had some discussion about the spelling of
Goldie’s maiden name, because it appeared in historical records in a variety of
ways. We finally presented it in the back matter as Mabowehz and Mabovitch.
Spelling back then wasn’t as important as it is now.
Accommodating Goldie’s strong voice
It’s unusual to have the main character of a picture book
speak for herself. Goldie’s voice was so strong that using the first person “I”
was the only way to get her bravado across. She was a force to be reckoned with
and her attitude had to come out through the story.
What would Goldie do?
I’ll be promoting Goldie
Takes a Stand! Golda Meir’s First Crusade, naturally (as Goldie would say)
in a program called, “What Would Goldie Do?” She set high standards for
herself, and I suspect for everyone around her. In this program, I’ll pose some
scenarios and ask kids what they would do. Then I’ll ask what Goldie would do. I
bet there’ll be some differences! We’ll talk about some ideas how they can
practice tikkun olam, repairing the
world, just like Goldie—how they can help someone they know to make his or her
life just a little better.
Contact Barbara about
her programs.
