Annie Osborn Anthony and the Rebel Women

The moment I stepped into the Kansas State Capitol and saw the “Rebel Women” mural, I stopped in my tracks. Towering eight feet high and stretching nineteen feet wide, the oil painting honors thirteen women who advanced the cause of women’s rights in that state.

And there, in the upper left corner, was Annie Osborn Anthony. She’s shown hosting a suffrage reception for 2,000 women at her home, a gracious leader in the fight for equality.

Above the Anthony residence hangs an image that stirs me deeply. Flames rise from homes while a lone rider gallops away. It holds meaning for two reasons: first, for its striking beauty. And second, for its tragic link to a town burned by Annie’s husband, Daniel, during his abolitionist raids in Missouri. That moment stands at the heart of Book Two in my trilogy.

Seeing the mural was a powerful moment for me. I’ve spent years researching and portraying Annie’s life, but seeing her commemorated this way—among fellow trailblazers, in a mural painted by a woman and installed in a space long dominated by male history—was nothing short of thrilling.

The creative process

Artist Phyllis Garibay-Coon didn’t just paint the “Rebel Women” mural—she lived it. Chosen from a competitive pool of applicants, she created the entire 8-by-19-foot masterpiece right in her own dining room, building a scaffold to reach the center. She was the first female oil painter to create a permanent installation in that building.

I had the joy of co-keynoting with her at last month’s “Celebrating Women” Gala in Leavenworth, where she gave us a behind-the-scenes look at her process. Her passion and storytelling were contagious. But what I loved most was hearing how she translated two subjects I’ve written about—Annie Osborn Anthony and Clarina Nichols—into another medium. It’s one thing to see a mural on a wall; it’s another to witness how an artist captures a life, a moment, and a movement in color and composition.

A capitol full of surprises

“Rebel Women” alone was worth the trip. However, the rest of the excursion to Topeka didn’t disappoint. The Kansas State Capitol, beautifully restored in 2013, is a marvel. I took in beautiful marble embellishments, the breathtaking dome, the striking John Brown mural, and even rode the old-fashioned hand-operated elevator (yes, still working—and delightful).

 

Naturally, I made a beeline to the gift shop and left with a new favorite mug.

I just couldn’t get enough of the gorgeous colors of marble that graced the walls.

Springtime in Kansas

The drive from Leavenworth to Topeka was its own kind of reward. Spring arrives in Kansas two or three weeks before it reaches my home in upstate New York. Throughout this trip, I soaked in the sight of redbud trees in bloom and hills rolling under a gentle sun. It was a beautiful backdrop to a journey filled with history, friendship, inspiration—and one very proud moment for Annie.

Book Lists Just For You

Searching for your next favorite American story?

Look no further! These authors have teamed up to offer you a delightful selection.

And… my most recent short story, Urgent Plea from Susan B. is included. It takes place between Secrets to the Wind and Born of This Fire. This collection also includes the prequel to Secrets, which is entitled Songbird in the Marsh.

View the Books Here