One Step Forward. A Beautiful Book Launch

Hello Friends,

I am fortunate to live in a community brimming with creative minds—especially poets. Last Saturday, I had the privilege of attending Marcie Flinchum Atkins' launch of One Step Forward (Versify/Harper Collins 2025) at The Workhouse Arts Center, a charming venue in Occoquan, Virginia, that hosts artist studios, art shows, classes, and performances.

Marci reads from One Step Forward 3/29/25

The Workhouse itself is steeped in history. In the early 1900s, it was a jail where women who peacefully protested for suffrage outside the White House were imprisoned. One of those women was teenage suffragist Matilda Young, who endured the infamous Night of Terror.

Occoquan Workhouse 3/29/25. Linda Mitchell

One Step Forward brings Matilda’s experience to life. We follow her journey from 1912, when she was first drawn to the suffragist cause, to her behind-the-scenes work for the National Women's Association, and finally, to her courageous stance as a silent sentinel in Lafayette Square, demanding that President Wilson push Congress to vote on women's suffrage. It is there, as a protester, that Matilda is arrested and sent to the Occoquan Workhouse.

Though Matilda—like many young women of her time—fought tirelessly for women’s suffrage, she did not gain the right to vote herself until the passage of the 19th Amendment. In a poignant twist, she couldn’t vote until decades later, as a resident of Washington, DC. Her story embodies the struggle and the sacrifices of countless women who fought for the rights we now take for granted.

There are many reasons to pick up One Step Forward—and to encourage your local library to do the same. Here are just a few:

• A Crucial Chapter in History: This book offers an important window into a pivotal moment in American history. We owe so much to the brave women who fought for suffrage, and Marcie gives us a chance to reflect on their journey. It’s a piece of history we should carry with us, always.

• Poetry at Its Finest: This is not simply prose broken into verse. Marcie’s mastery of the form is evident, using verse to convey the intensity of fear, courage, resilience, and the profound sacrifice of those who gave everything for the rights we enjoy today.

• A Vivid, Woven Narrative: One Step Forward is an expertly crafted novel in verse that blends historical characters—real, flawed, and unforgettable—into a narrative that is every bit as compelling as fiction. The facts are just as captivating as the story itself.

• A Sweet, Unexpected Touch: Hershey kisses appear in a beautifully symbolic way, adding a layer of warmth to an otherwise intense historical tale.

• Enlightening Back Matter: The book includes thoughtful back matter that enriches the reader’s understanding without being overwhelming. Features like Your Turn, a timeline, quotes, a list of places to visit, and further reading suggestions for young, middle-grade, and young adult readers all make this a perfect resource for students and educators.

• Hope for All Readers: This book offers hope—both for young readers finding their way and for those of us young at heart.

One Step Forward has already garnered glowing reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, Publisher's Weekly, School Library Journal, and has been selected as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard book.

I’m incredibly proud of Marcie for this stunning achievement. One Step Forward is a triumph of poetry and historical storytelling. I can’t wait to read more of her work. Three cheers for Marcie, and three cheers for One Step Forward!

Happy to be at the launch of One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins (Versify/Harper Collins. 25)