Demanding Justice:
A Story About Mary Ann Shadd Cary
by Jeri Chase Ferris

    DEMANDING JUSTICE by Jeri Chase Ferris
    Illustrated by:  Kimanne Smith
    Category:  Non-Fiction
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  1/2003
    Publisher:  Carolrhoda Books
    Reviewed by:  Jaglvr
    Rating:  4 Stars


    DEMANDING JUSTICE is a story of Mary Ann Shadd Cary in which Ms. Ferris introduces the reader to a true
    fighter of equal rights.

    Mary Ann was born in 1823.  Born as a free black person in Delaware, she was not exposed to the hardships that
    the blacks in the south were brought up in.  But still, being black had its own problems, and Mary Ann fought for
    the rights for all.

    A true visionary, Mary Ann became a school teacher and found herself in Canada, with many free black people.  
    But her school was seriously underfunded and she fought constantly for the supplies she needed to teach the black
    people of her area.

    Mary Ann soon found herself part of a free press paper, rivaling the famous Frederick Douglas.  Mary Ann was
    able to reach many people and was asked to help find black volunteers for the union army as the Civil War began.

    Told in a fast-moving manner, Ms. Ferris tells Mary Ann’s story, giving readers a glimpse into the life of a truly
    inspiring woman.  To impress all even more, Mary Ann became the first black woman (in her forties, no less!) to
    enter law school and earn her degree, finally, at age sixty.  

    If Mary Ann Shadd Cary can’t inspire everyone, then no one can!