Educational Media Reviews Online

Jocelyn Riley's biographical snapshot of Belle Case La Follette essentially functions as an appetizer, creating a desire to devour more information about a most remarkable woman, now practically forgotten by feminist historians and certainly in the shadow of more famous political wives. This relatively short pastiche consists of photographs and artifacts related to the life of Belle Case (1859-1931) set to the reading of her written words, a style later popularized by documentarist Ken Burns.

We learn about a woman who came from a progressive family that believed in education. She met her husband Bob La Follette in college and from the start, their relationship was based on equality. When they were married, the word "obey" was omitted from their vows. With her husband's encouragement she was the first woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Law School. Although she preferred to stay more in the background while her husband was Governor of Wisconsin and then Senator, she still led a fulfilling public life. As editor of Home and Education of La Follette's Magazine she wrote articles and editorials which surprisingly embody contemporary sensibilities. Fragments of her writing are read on the soundtrack. The topics are as disparate as the importance of exercise and equal suffrage, "the only way to strengthen the body is with everyday use… running is the best way," and, "homes are best when men and women keep together intellectually and spiritually…government is of the people, and are women not people?"

This portrait divulges the positive contemporary feminist episodes often omitted from biographical pieces, particularly about women from the turn of the 20th century. It is heartening to learn that indeed it was possible for some women to be brought up by a family advocating education, married to a supportive man who encouraged the development of their talents, and, after much work, to achieve the hard-earned right to vote. Recommended for Women's Studies.