Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away — oh wait, no. It was this galaxy! And it wasn’t far away at all, just in Boston. That’s where I got my start professionally many moons ago at The Christian Science Monitor. The busy newsroom was a wonderful place for a budding writer, and I absolutely loved working there. The Monitor’s trademark fair, ethical journalism, encapsulated in its motto given by its founder, “To injure no man, but to bless all mankind,” stamped and formed me as a journalist. Likewise, the splendid mentoring I received from my colleagues stamped and formed me as a writer. Working under daily deadlines, gaining experience in being edited, learning how to conduct interviews, research a subject, and shape the results into compelling (or at least readable) prose, built up my writing muscles and prepared me for my adventure writing books of my own. I look back on those years fondly and will always be grateful for my time there.
In case you didn’t know, the Monitor was founded by a woman — Mary Baker Eddy — someone I deeply admire and respect. A fellow writer (and native of New Hampshire!), she was the first American woman to found an enduring global religion — Christian Science — and the first woman, period, as far as my research has been able to determine, to found an enduring newspaper, which has won numerous Pulitzer and other prizes and continues today as a global news organization. Pretty remarkable! Even more so, considering that she accomplished all of this and much more in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, before women had even won the right to vote.
“To injure no man, but to bless all mankind.” Can you imagine a better goal for any journalist?
I’ve had the privilege of getting to know more about Mary Baker Eddy while researching articles and books about her life and work. She’s someone well worth knowing! If you live near Washington, D.C., you can see a statue of her at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. And if you’re ever in New England, you can visit her home at 8 Broad Street in Lynn, Massachusetts, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2021. You might also be interested in stopping by her final home at 400 Beacon Street in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, which has recently undergone a major restoration. Both historic houses are owned by Longyear Museum, and I had a hand in writing their exhibits.
Here are the books that I’ve written about Mary Baker Eddy:
A World More Bright: The Life of Mary Baker Eddy
Rich in historical context and brimming with lively detail, this engaging portrait of a bold Christian pioneer was written with young adults in mind but will appeal to any reader seeking an accessible introduction to Mary Baker Eddy and her remarkable life.
Buy the Book
Life at 400 Beacon Street:
Working in Mary Baker Eddy’s Household
Nearing 90 when she moved to 400 Beacon Street in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, her final home, Mary Baker Eddy wasn’t planning on a quiet retirement. Far from it. Among her numerous accomplishments while she lived in this house was founding a daily newspaper — The Christian Science Monitor, still in circulation today. Alongside her at what was not just her home, but also the executive headquarters of her church, was a staff of up to 25 people, and this is their story as well.
Buy the Book
Longyear Museum
(autographed)
“A Woman of Sound Education”:
Mary Baker Eddy’s School Years
Drawing on a wide range of sources, including Longyear Museum’s unique collection of Baker family material, this book presents the most up-to-date historical research on the subject of Mary Baker Eddy’s education — as well as a fascinating look at schooling in early 19th century America.
Buy the Book
Longyear Museum
(autographed)
A Home for Spike
Can a small squirrel in need of a friend find one in the big stone house on the hill? Inspired by the true story of Spike, a squirrel befriended by Mary Baker Eddy’s staff at her home in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, this heartwarming tale blends fact with fiction as it offers young readers a glimpse of daily life in this busy household, along with the founding of The Christian Science Monitor. Written by Heather Vogel Frederick, illustrated by Amber Hawks Schaberg.