My Account Log in

1 option

Were you there? : a biography of Emma Wakefield-Paillet / by Phebe Hayes and Margaret Simon.

Van Pelt Library R154.W35 H39 2025
Loading location information...

Available This item is available for access.

Log in to request item
Format:
Book
Author/Creator:
Hayes, Phebe, 1954- author.
Simon, Margaret Gibson, author.
Language:
English
Subjects (All):
African American women physicians--Louisiana--New Orleans--Biography--Juvenile literature.
African American women physicians.
African American women physicians--California--San Francisco--Biography--Juvenile literature.
African American women--Louisiana--New Iberia--Biography--Juvenile literature.
African American women.
African American women physicians--Poetry.
Wakefield-Paillet, Emma, 1868-1946.
Wakefield-Paillet, Emma.
Genre:
poetry.
Biographies.
Poetry.
Physical Description:
xvii, 125 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
Place of Publication:
Lafayette, LA : University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press, 2025.
Summary:
"Were You There: A Biography of Emma Wakefield Paillet travels through the life of Emma Wakefield Paillet as she breaks away from the oppression of the post-Civil War Southern life to successfully become the first African American woman to receive a medical degree in the state of Louisiana. As she grows up in New Iberia, Louisiana, her father rises in the political opportunities of Reconstruction. Unfortunately, Emma's family is met with tragedy after tragedy. She faces each challenge with courage and perseverance. Her story is compelling. Written in both nonfiction prose supported by the research of Phebe Hayes and poems in Emma's voice by Margaret Simon, this biography presents a history that is often left in the shadows. 'Were you there when we finally broke the chains? when our hollow cries were heard?' This biography will take you there"-- Provided by publisher.
Contents:
The birth of Emma Wakefield
Industrious father
Education
A family familiar with death
Malaria claims sister Amelia
Another tragedy strikes
The Wakefields leave new Iberia
Embracing education
Emma becomes a physician
"Exceptionally excellent" Emma
The Wakefields leave Louisiana
"Passing for white"
Another sister lost
Cholera claims Adolph Wakefield
The death of Emma's mother
The end of Emma's life.
ISBN:
9781959569190
1959569198
OCLC:
1499523320
Publisher Number:
90102357810

The Penn Libraries is committed to describing library materials using current, accurate, and responsible language. If you discover outdated or inaccurate language, please fill out this feedback form to report it and suggest alternative language.

Find

Home Release notes

My Account

Shelf Request an item Bookmarks Fines and fees Settings

Guides

Using the Find catalog Using Articles+ Using your account