Marie Equi would be thrilled that readers of her biography are unanimous in appreciation for her steady courage and bold advocacy.  Here’s a sample from the many who have posted comments on the Amazon page for MARIE EQUI: Radical Politics & Outlaw Passions: 

 “In her time Equi …was probably the most prominent firebrand for feminist, peace, and labor struggles in Portland. …Helquist is an imaginative storyteller, which makes for both a factual and engaging read.”  Ryan W.
 
“Well written, thoroughly researched and engaging throughout, this is compelling reading for anyone who values the lessons that “misbehaving women” … can teach us.”  PCM
 
“A rare and fascinating biography written with passion and dramatic flair…What an amazing character to present to the world.” Thomas Caldarola
 
“Easy to pick up and hard to put down… highly recommended. Marie Equi’s story needs to be told.” Lenore McDonald
 
“Helquist has a knack for vivid detail … a thoroughly researched gem … one of the most important biographies to be published this year.”  Matt Chayt
 
“A neglected feminist is brilliantly brought to life. … a truly authoritative and entertaining account.” 
 
“So thoroughly researched and lovingly told, this author clearly knew this story needed to be shared.”  Deb
 
“Rich and entertaining narrative breathes life into an unforgettable historical figure.” DL567
 
“A touching story of a passionate woman who defies the limitations and excoriations of the early (20th) century culture edicts to self-sacrificing ends.”  Jo Ostgarden-Jensen
 
“Filled with meticulous research…a well-written, enthralling biography of a true pioneer.” Jarie Bolander
 
“Each chapter reads briskly and carries you through the major events of this woman’s remarkable life.” D Danley

For all my bicycling buds and safe streets advocates everywhere, I tried my best to get Marie Equi on a bike in my new biography of her. Surely at some point some sighting must have occurred followed by a report of one of Portland’s most prominent activists on a bike. So far, no luck.
 
And why is that? What about the 1890s bicycling craze across America? In her late teens, Equi was working in the textile mills of New Bedford, making just 90 cents a day for a 12-14 hour shift. She was supporting herself and her family, leaving little income for big ticket purchases. Then she was rescued by her girlfriend, Bessie Holcomb, who invited her to homestead with her in the Far West. In 1892 they were settled on several acres, making their home in a 12’ by 30’ cabin two miles outside The Dalles, Oregon along the Columbia River. But roads were clogged with dust and ruts in the summer and were muddy slogs in the winter. The bike fad may not have claimed many enthusiasts in the post-frontier town.
 
What about San Francisco then, where Equi and Holcomb moved in 1897? Surely they tried bicycling then, especially along the path through the center of Panhandle Park and into Golden Gate Park. My hunch is they did indeed try out the new two-wheelers for a weekend spin. But no pics and no journal entries of the two on bikes.
 
Perhaps Equi, an advocate for women’s voting rights, took to heart the wisdom of Susan B. Anthony who remarked in 1896 that bicycling had accomplished more “to emancipate women than anything else in the world.“ Equi worked for woman suffrage in 1906 and 1912 in Oregon, and some of her travels, she perhaps tried “wheels.”
 
I’ve documented Marie Equi travelling by train several times, by steamer from Portland to San Francisco, by bus and streetcar, by personal automobile, and by foot.  Someday a now-hidden or unknown archive will yield discoveries, including perhaps the elusive photograph of Marie Equi riding a bike.
 
Book readers take note: I did slip in a reference to bicycling in Chapter Three, “The Audacity to Succeed,” about Equi and Holcomb arriving in San Francisco. Here’s an edited excerpt from page 40:

Just published at my book's Amazon page: 

"MARIE EQUI is truly an engaging and satisfying account of a radical feminist who dared challenge anything and everything that stood in the way of providing equal rights for woman. It is so thoroughly researched and well written - it's easy to pick up and hard to put down. Equally academic and intriguing. It serves as a reminder of how hard women have had it. My daughter at 32 could not fully conceive or appreciate the hard-fought battles for equal rights that American women won the 70's and 80's when I was her age much less those that Marie confronted in the early 1900s if not for historians like Michael Helquist's excellent work. Marie Equi's story needs to be heard, Michael Helquist does her justice while also drawing parallels to communities and peoples who are fighting still. Highly recommended."

And Lenore gave it FIVE STARS!

* You can help MARIE EQUI reach more people by adding a comment for the book. Just a sentence is enough to be counted in the Amazon algorithms for higher ranking in searches. Go to "Amazon Marie Equi," scroll down to comments, and add yours. THANK YOU.

At a time when writers and other artists struggle to remain in San Francisco, the James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center – and the SF Public Library overall – provides a welcome refuge and nurturing haven with community space to present their work. I have used the Center’s resources to fill in the details of Marie Equi’s medical training and her several visits to San Francisco. Last night I was honored to present MARIE EQUI to twenty-five people at the Center.
 
At my talks I’m especially pleased when members of the audience thank me for bringing to light the important, engaging story of Marie Equi. Several people remark that they appreciate the context I present with Equi being one of the marginalized people whose stories seldom appear. Last night several women thanked me for profiling a lesbian since their life stories have been less frequently researched or written. I’m honored to do so.
 
My thanks to all who attended last night. 
 
NEXT UP:  Wed, Oct. 14, 1pm, Interview on KGGV 95.1 FM Guerneville, CA with host Gerry Takano as part of the “Beneath the Waves” program (starts at noon)

Last night the Books Inc. audience in Berkeley gave everything an author could want at a reading. The twenty people present were attentive, engaged, and enthusiastic. They erupted in laughter over the infamous horsewhipping incident and the notorious “deadly, virus-dipped” hatpin attack. They gasped at the brutal third degree Marie Equi endured at a police station and were appalled by J. Edgar Hoover’s determination to keep Equi in prison. During the book signing, several thanked me for retrieving Equi’s story and presenting her in a way that everyone could appreciate. One woman stepped up and said, while handing me her just-purchased book, “Anarchism and the Wobblies – I’m there. I’ve got to read this.” Another reported that she was mesmerized and literally did not want me to stop talking about the book.
 
One of the perks of being the speaker is watching and gauging the audience’s reaction. Last night the response was exceptional and energizing, and I feel honored to have shared the evening with everyone there.

A fascinating author event last night with Lillian Faderman discussing her new book "The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle" at the San Francisco Public Library. Her sweeping account from 1948 to today is presented as public history (without an emphasis on academic analysis) and includes many personal stories of the more than 100 interviews she conducted.

She discussed how she thought lesbians became more collaborative and responsive to gay men due to the AIDS crisis when the need for care was so great. (In the 1970s a number of lesbians had become "separatist" believing gay or straight men were too invested in male privilege to understand or support feminism). 

It was an interesting perspective for me. My experience was that gay men became more responsive to and appreciative of women because so many stepped forward to help in time of community crisis. Lesbians especially played a fundamental and critical role in AIDS advocacy and health care. As a result of their own experiences, many lesbians guided gay men with AIDS through the bureaucratic and often unresponsive health care system.

Clearly, the community came together with both sets of experiences -- gay and lesbian -- contributing to overall well-being and to their own sense of selves.