Ann Gabhart’s research of health care in Kentucky during the 1920’s intrigues me. I can only imagine how tough this must have been for nurse midwives who came to the area. I had never heard of Mary Breckinridge, a real-life heroine full of compassionate ideas and the courage to realize them for the sake of others.
Ann is offering a free print copy of what sounds like a powerful read! Just leave her a comment.
Finding Stories in the Appalachian Mountainsby Ann H. Gabhart
When I am searching for a new idea for a novel, I like exploring Kentucky history to get inspiration. A few years ago I came across a story about the Frontier Nursing Service established in the 1920’s by Mary Breckinridge in the Eastern Kentucky Appalachian Mountains. After Breckinridge lost her two children, a cherished son at age four from appendicitis and a baby daughter who only lived a few hours, she wanted to find a way to help mothers and children in poverty areas. In France, after World War I, she witnessed how nurse midwives did so much for the French people devastated by the war.
Breckinridge attended midwifery school in England since America had no such schools at that time. Then she started her midwifery service in the Eastern Kentucky Mountains where the people had little or no access to professional healthcare. A charismatic woman, she was able to get others to share in her vision and come to the mountains to ride up into the hills on horseback to take care of patients in their cabins. When she recruited midwives, she promised them their own horse, their own dog and the opportunity to save children’s lives.
I used that history as the background for my novel, These Healing Hills. In it, my main character is a nurse midwife who “catches babies.” That was how the mountain people described what the midwives did, but the women did more than that. They treated any and all health needs. As you can imagine, that kept them very busy.
Breckinridge came up with a unique way to free up some of their time by recruiting young women as volunteers called couriers to do some of the mundane chores of caring for the horses, delivering messages, escorting visitors around, and all sorts of other tasks. They also sometimes accompanied the nurse midwives on their patient calls which might include helping a baby come into the world.
These young women were usually from well to do families that Mrs. Breckinridge depended on for monetary contributions to keep her service going. The couriers would come to the mountains to rough it with no electricity and nothing easy, but they loved their experiences in the mountains.
Since I wanted to share more Frontier Nursing history and more about Mary Breckinridge, An Appalachian Summer features one of those young couriers as the main character. Piper has had a sheltered life, but she wants to do something different before she settles into a woman’s expected role in the 1930’s of wife and mother. She volunteers for a summer in the Appalachian Mountains where she discovers the truth in the Frontier Nursing Service saying, “No one comes here by accident.”
Piper’s summer in the mountains changes her forever. It was no accident that I had the pleasure of exploring more Kentucky history for my mountain story.
An Appalachian Summer
In 1933 Louisville, Kentucky, even the ongoing economic depression cannot keep Piper Danson’s parents from insisting on a debut party. After all, their fortune came through the market crash intact, and they’ve picked out the perfect suitor for their daughter. Braxton Crandall can give her the kind of life she’s used to. The only problem? This is not the man–or the life–she really wants.
When Piper gets the opportunity to volunteer as a horseback Frontier Nursing courier in the Appalachian Mountains for the summer, she jumps at the chance to be something other than a dutiful daughter or a kept wife in a loveless marriage. The work is taxing, the scenery jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and the people she meets along the way open up a whole new world to her. The longer she stays, the more an advantageous marriage slips from her grasp. But something much more precious–true love–is drawing ever closer.
Ann H. Gabhart bio
ANN H. GABHART has been called a storyteller, not a bad thing for somebody who grew up dreaming of being a writer. Ann has published thirty-five books for both adults and young adults with more stories on the way. She keeps her keyboard warm out on her Kentucky farm where she likes walking with her dogs or discovering the wonders of nature with her nine grandchildren. To find out more about Ann and her books or to read her blog posts visit www.annhgabhart.com. You can follow her on Facebook. www.facebook.com/anngabhart, Twittter https://twitter.com/AnnHGabhart, or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/annhgabhart/.
“An Appalachian Summer” sounds like an interesting book. I’m always amazed to hear stories based on historical fact. Frontier Nursing couriers in the Appalachians? That’s pretty cool. ~Robyn
I always enjoy the researching for stories that introduce me to new ideas, Robyn. Thanks for reading my post here on Gail’s Dare to Bloom.
This book sounds very insightful and I’m anxious to get my hands on it and start turning the pages.
Well, that sounds good for me, Candese. Hope when you do get your hands on it and start turning those pages, you’ll be glad to read the story.
You have such a pretty smile, Ann! May God keep giving you ideas galore – to share with us, too!
Well, thank you for that compliment, Marilyn. How kind of you to tell me that. I’ve always liked smiling. When I was in high school some of the kids were always sort of making fun because I was always smiling. I didn’t let it bother me, but just kept smiling. LOL. And thanks for that sweet prayer. I do feel blessed when the Lord shows me a new story idea.
Loved this story and the fact it takes place a few hours from my home! Shes an excellent storyteller and can’t wait to read more of her books.
So do you live in Kentucky, Jessica? Some people might think that is a crazy question since the story is set in Kentucky, but a few hours from Leslie County could get you into at least a couple of other states. I hope you’ll enjoy the story when you get a chance to read it, and thanks so much for the compliment. I love being called a storyteller.
I can’t wait to read this book. Love the historical facts.
Ola, it’s always fun to see your comments on one of my posts. I so appreciate you as a reader.
These ladies had to be very strong, brave, and adventurous to take these jobs in the rugged mountains. I’m sure it was a very rewarding experience for them and provided them with many stories to tell.
Most of the young women couriers thought it the experience of a lifetime and some of them went on to do other adventuresome things after their volunteer time in the mountains, Connie. It opened up new ways of thinking for them.
Hi Ann. Your book sounds most intriguing. Sounds like a story I would truly enjoy and brings to mind Catherine Marshall’s Christy, a favorite of mine from more years ago than I care to admit.
May God bless you with your writing!
Gail, thank you for hosting Ann today.
I read Christy years ago and did think it was a wonderful story. It’s been suggested that These Healing Hills makes some readers remember that wonderful Catherine Marshall story. Maybe An Appalachian Summer will bring Christy to mind too. I hope if you decide to read one of my books, you’ll enjoy the story, Patti.
I’ve got it, but haven’t started it yet. I’m looking forward to it.
That gives me a smile, Cindy. I do hope you’ll enjoy going to the mountains for a story.
This sounds amazing!! I’m glad to know a little more of Mary Breckinridge’s background too!
Being able to tell more about Mary Breckinridge was one of the reasons I wanted to write another story with Frontier Nursing history, Elizabeth. It’s not everybody who can set out with a vision and make such a difference in so many lives. In fact, I met a woman once who was sure she wouldn’t be here if not for one of the Frontier Nurse midwives helping with her birth.
Praying you great success Ms. Ann. Love all things Appalachia. Shared this to Twitter Ms. Gail; thank you for sharing this with us.
What a kind thing to do for me, J.D. To pray for the success of my stories. I do hope the stories find the readers who will enjoy them and I liked writing stories with an Appalachian background.
I am about halfway through and it is a really good book. Thanks for the trip back to the Appalachian Mountains.
So glad you are enjoying the story, Janice. I enjoyed going back to the mountains for another Frontier Nursing story. Love those nurse midwives.
Looking forward to reading this story. I’ve read all your books that I could find and hound my public library to keep stocking your books. Several years ago in a KY author display at our public library one of your books was featured. Read ones from library and started buying the ones they didn’t have, then passed them on to others. Last couple I’ve gotten as ebooks, but love to smell a new book and hold it to read. Also enjoy your many posts and especially the Sunday morning adventures.
Thank you, Connie. I do so appreciate you reading my books and joining in with the fun on my blog and on my Facebook author page. I especially appreciate you asking your library to put my books on their shelves. I love libraries. Hope you do enjoy An Appalachian Summer when you get a chance to read it.