Often, the small are truly the mighty. Their stories may be eclipsed by a dominant sun, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t ours to discover.
Hey there, history buffs and story lovers! Today, I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon, a book that shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of American history. This isn’t just another recounting of famous figures; it’s a heartfelt tribute to the everyday people whose courage, grit, and compassion shaped a nation. Let’s dive into the pages of this inspiring read and uncover the hidden gems within.
Picture this: a bustling New York City in 1804, where the seeds of a nation were sown amidst commerce and ambition, or the rugged frontier of Colorado in the 1870s, where a freed woman offered shelter to strangers. The Small and the Mighty isn’t about presidents or tycoons; it’s about the telephone operators, schoolteachers, and pioneers who dared to dream of justice and equality. Sharon McMahon masterfully weaves together stories from across centuries, from Clara Brown’s unyielding search for her family to Inez Milholland’s fearless suffrage marches. This book is a reminder that history isn’t just made by the powerful—it’s crafted by the persistent, the small, and the mighty.
McMahon’s narrative style feels like a conversation with a passionate teacher (which she is!). She brings these forgotten figures to life with vivid detail and emotional depth, making you root for them as if they were your own ancestors. Whether it’s Virginia Randolph building schools against all odds or Daniel Inouye’s valor in World War II, each chapter is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome.
Clara Brown: Angel of Resilience
A woman born into slavery, Clara Brown’s story is one of enduring hope. From losing her family to finding freedom in Colorado, she became a beacon for others.
Hope is that thing with feathers, perching just out of reach.
Virginia Randolph: Education as Liberation
In Virginia, Randolph fought for Black children’s education in the face of systemic barriers, proving that knowledge is power.
Do the next needed thing.
Katharine Lee Bates: Voice of a Nation
Inspired by America’s landscapes, Bates penned America the Beautiful, a call for justice and unity amidst industrial struggles.
Americans are at heart idealists, with a fundamental faith in human brotherhood.
Inez Milholland: Suffrage Warrior
A fierce advocate for women’s rights, Milholland rode through streets demanding the vote, sacrificing her health for the cause.
Suffrage is a gift no one can confer—it is a right.
Clara Brown’s life is a staggering tale of resilience. Born into slavery in Kentucky around 1800, she endured the heartbreak of having her family sold away. By the 1870s, as a free woman in Colorado, she had transformed into the “Angel of the Rockies,” using her earnings from a laundry business to help miners and travelers. Her story isn’t just about survival—it’s about generosity amidst personal loss. Imagine walking 700 miles to Colorado at nearly 60 years old, cooking for a wagon train, and still having the heart to search for your lost daughter. Clara amassed over $10,000 (equivalent to $250,000 today) through sheer grit, only to lose much of it to floods, fires, and betrayal.
Hope is that thing with feathers, perching just out of reach. This line captures Clara’s lifelong quest to reunite with her daughter Eliza, a hope that never dimmed even in her darkest hours. Her eventual reunion at 82 years old is a tear-jerking triumph of persistence.
Clara’s story isn’t compressed into mere survival statistics; it’s a sprawling narrative of a woman who turned pain into purpose. Despite losing her savings and properties, she was recognized as an “official pioneer” in Colorado after a community campaign, a nod to her indomitable spirit. Her life teaches us that strength isn’t just physical—it’s the quiet resolve to keep giving, even when you’ve lost everything.
Virginia Randolph, emerging in 1890s Virginia, saw education as the cornerstone of progress for Black communities post-slavery. By 1907, in Henrico County, she had established a transformative model of education, blending vocational and academic training. Her innovative “Henrico Plan” inspired thousands of schools across the South, supported by the Jeanes Fund. Randolph didn’t just teach; she hauled gravel for driveways, whitewashed buildings, and bought land for her school, deeding it back to the county.
Early Beginnings
Virginia Randolph emerges as an educator in Virginia, driven by the need for Black education.
1890
Mountain Road School
Establishes a model school in Henrico County, integrating practical skills with academics.
1907
Legacy of Impact
Retires after nearly 60 years, leaving a lasting impact on education in the South.
1949
Do the next needed thing. This mantra, inherited from her mother, guided Randolph through every challenge, focusing on immediate action over distant worries. It’s a powerful reminder of practical perseverance.
Randolph’s story is rich with detail—facing community resistance, she spent years attending church services to win trust, showing up with students’ crafts to prove her methods. Even after her school burned down in 1929, she rallied to finish the year, ensuring her students didn’t fall behind. Her legacy isn’t just in buildings but in the lives she uplifted, proving one person’s vision can defy systemic oppression.
Born in 1859 on Cape Cod, Katharine Lee Bates was shaped by natural beauty and a yearning for knowledge. Her travels, from England in the 1880s to Chicago in the 1890s, exposed her to inequality and industrial strife, fueling her poetry. At Pikes Peak, inspired by America’s majesty, she wrote America the Beautiful, a poem that became a national call for unity and justice during a time of economic disparity.
Cape Cod’s landscapes and personal loss shape Bates’ poetic voice.
Studies in England expose her to global inequality, deepening her social reform passion.
Witnessing the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, she captures America’s contrasts in poetry.
America the Beautiful becomes an anthem, echoing her hope for a just nation.
Americans are at heart idealists, with a fundamental faith in human brotherhood. Bates believed in America’s potential for unity, a belief reflected in her enduring lyrics that still inspire today.
Bates’ journey is more than literary—it’s deeply personal. Her lifelong companionship with Katharine Coman, her struggles with faith, and her witnessing of societal divides all poured into her work. America the Beautiful wasn’t just a poem; it was a plea for the nation to live up to its ideals. McMahon’s portrayal ensures we feel the weight of Bates’ words, a reminder of art’s power to advocate for change.
In 1910, Inez Milholland emerged in New York as a suffrage powerhouse, using her striking presence and legal education to demand women’s voting rights. By 1916, touring the West despite failing health, she became a martyr for the cause, collapsing during a speech and dying at 30. Her iconic horseback rides and dramatic parades, like the 1913 march in Washington, D.C., galvanized the movement, even if it initially excluded Black women.
Suffrage is a gift no one can confer—it is a right. Milholland’s fierce declaration underscores her belief in inherent equality, a rallying cry that fueled the suffrage fight.
Milholland’s story is unflinchingly detailed—her costumes, speeches, and the physical toll of her activism paint a vivid picture of sacrifice. McMahon doesn’t shy away from the movement’s flaws, noting the exclusion of Black women, yet highlights Milholland’s role in bringing visibility to suffrage. Her death at Good Samaritan Hospital, followed by a memorial in the U.S. Capitol, cemented her as the Joan of Arc of women’s rights, a symbol of relentless courage.
The Small and the Mighty is more than a history book; it’s a call to recognize the power in each of us to effect change. Sharon McMahon has crafted a narrative that feels both intimate and epic, reminding us that greatness isn’t reserved for the famous—it’s in the small acts of bravery and kindness. Whether it’s Clara Brown’s compassion or Inez Milholland’s defiance, these stories urge us to keep going, to do the next right thing. If you’re looking for inspiration to rise to your own moment, this book is your guide. So, grab a copy, and let’s uncover the auroras of history together. What small, mighty act will you take today?
