Book Notes: The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon

📚 The Book in 3 Sentences

1. A collection of vignettes about small but mighty Americans who helped bring about great change for civil rights, women’s rights, and education in the United States.
2. A needed guide through American history that reveals the power of perseverance, standing up to injustice, and doing **what is needed for the betterment of the community.
3. It is the small and the mighty folk, the doers, who embody what America was created to be - just, peaceful, good, and free.

🎨 Impressions

History | Life Advice | Philosophy

This book has added immense depth to my understanding the United States history, as well as revealed the perseverance of those who came before me to clear the path of a good life for me. The people highlighted in the book showed me the power of small acts in local communities - small acts that can lead to mighty changes. After reading this book, I am filled with energy to make positive impacts in my community and help others reorient towards hope.

👤Who Should Read It?

This should be part of the history curriculum for all American students, and I hope one day it will be widely read in schools. Until then, I think anyone who feels hopelessness at the state of our country, our leaders, and our divisive society should read this book.

I felt recharged and hopeful after reading this book because I am not alone in striving for a just, peaceful, good, and free country - and I have not been alone because of what the incredible Americans described in this book have done before me.

☘️ How the Book Changed Me

• This book inspired me to keep fighting for what I believe is right - or as one of the small but mighty women in the book, Virginia Randolph, had been taught, to do the next needed thing. The next needed thing isn’t always grand or rewarding, but it is something I can do to create a better future for all.
• I was astonished at how many people featured in this book I did not know, especially as a well-read (or so I thought) English degree holder, and sad to think how many others do not know these small but mighty Americans. I am inspired to share their stories and accomplishments to as many people as possible because it is so important we all know the sacrifices that were made for women’s rights, civil rights, and quality education for all.
• One of the amazing women in the book, Septima Clark, experienced so much adversity in her life, and yet she never stopped working to try to better the lives of those around her, even her enemies. Septima’s ability to always see the good in others probably led to many of her adversaries having changes of heart; she has an incredible quote that I placed in the next section, “My Top 3 Quotes”, that shows the importance of continuing to engage with those we disagree with. Septima’s story has solidified my belief that we must keep talking and engaging with those we disagree with; otherwise, how will we ever understand one another and learn to embrace diversity?

✍️ My Top 3 Quotes

• “The best Americans are not the critics, they are the doers.”
• “Hope is not a feeling but an orientation of the spirit. Hope is a choice that we make each morning, and we do not have the luxury of hopelessness if we want to see progress.”
• “I can even work with my enemies because I know from experience that they might have a change of heart any minute.”