Sanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie's Place, the Nation's First Shelter for Women by Christine McDonnell. Illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov. unpaged. Candlewick Press, March 1, 2022. 9781536211290. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)
Kip Tiernan was raised by her grandmother during the Great Depression. Granny always had a big pot of soup going and Kip would carry steaming bowls outside to give to men who would come to the door. Kip's granny didn't only give out food. If a man needed clothing, she found some to give. She had ten children. Kip learned that while her family was not rich, they still had more than many during those difficult times.
These lessons followed Kip into adulthood when, after being inspired by a speech to end poverty in 1968, she sold her advertising business and dedicated her life to helping the poor of Boston. But she noticed that soup kitchens and homeless shelters only served men. Homeless women seemed invisible. They disguised themselves as men in order to eat.
After a trip to New York City and the Saint Joseph's House, she returned to Boston determined to find a space to shelter women. In 1974, Rosie's Place opened in an empty supermarket. It was the first shelter for women. Her work was not done though. She also fought for health care for the homeless and food for the poor.
Back matter includes more about Kip Tiernan as well as information about her memorial, which was erected in Copley Square, Boston in 2018. This memorial has quotes etched into the columns and they appear in the back matter. The soft watercolor and digital art features a diverse population of both homeless and helpers.
Regular readers will already know how much I adore picture book biographies and how they can illuminate fascinating folk who don't always get their historical due. I am thankful for this book and for learning of this paragon of selflessness.
Sanctuary releases on March 1 and belongs in all school, public and classroom libraries.
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