Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles: "The Unlocked Path" by Janis Robinson Daly

1. Family Dynamics:

   • How does the author depict family relationships in "The Unlocked Path"? Discuss the various dynamics and conflicts within the family.

2. Cultural Identity:

   • Explore the theme of cultural identity in the novel. How do the characters grapple with their cultural backgrounds, and how does this impact their sense of self?

3. Individual Growth:

   • Analyze the personal growth and development of the main characters. In what ways do they evolve throughout the story, and what factors contribute to their growth?

4. The Role of Nature:

   • Discuss the significance of the natural environment in the novel, particularly the setting in Alaska. How does nature serve as a backdrop for the characters' experiences and self-discovery?

5. Symbolism:

   • Identify and discuss any symbolic elements in the story. How do these symbols contribute to the overall meaning of the novel?

6. Dual Narratives:

   • "The Unlocked Path" features dual narratives. How does the use of dual perspectives enhance the storytelling? In what ways do the two narratives intersect or diverge?

7. Mystery and Secrets:

   • Explore the theme of mystery and secrets in the novel. How do hidden truths impact the characters, and how are these revealed over the course of the story?

8. Connection to Nature and Wildlife:

   • Consider the characters' connection to nature and wildlife in Alaska. How does their relationship with the natural world influence their experiences and decisions?

9. Themes of Forgiveness:

   • Discuss the theme of forgiveness in the novel. How do characters navigate forgiveness, both for themselves and others? What role does forgiveness play in their personal journeys?

10. The Impact of Choices:

    • Examine the consequences of the characters' choices. How do their decisions shape their destinies, and are there moments where the characters must reckon with the outcomes of their actions?

11. Cultural Traditions:

    • Explore the cultural traditions depicted in the novel. How do these traditions shape the characters' behaviors and perspectives? Are there conflicts between traditional and modern ways of life?

12. Sense of Belonging:

    • Discuss the characters' search for a sense of belonging. How do they define home, and how does their understanding of belonging evolve throughout the narrative?

The timeline of female doctors is marked by significant milestones in the fight for gender equality in the medical profession. Here is a historical timeline highlighting key events:

• 1849: Elizabeth Blackwell - First Woman to Receive a Medical Degree:

  • Elizabeth Blackwell becomes the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States, graduating from Geneva Medical College in New York.

• 1865: Rebecca Lee - First African American Woman to Receive a Medical Degree:

  • Rebecca Lee becomes the first African American woman to receive a medical degree in the United States from the New England Female Medical College.

• 1867: Emily Stowe - First Female Doctor in Canada:

  • Emily Stowe becomes the first woman to practice medicine in Canada after obtaining her medical degree from the New York Medical College for Women.

• 1870: Sophia Jex-Blake - Pioneer in Medical Education for Women in the UK:

  • Sophia Jex-Blake establishes the London School of Medicine for Women, opening opportunities for women to pursue medical education in the United Kingdom.

• 1873: Susan La Flesche Picotte - First Native American Woman to Earn a Medical Degree:

  • Susan La Flesche Picotte graduates from the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania, becoming the first Native American woman to earn a medical degree.

• 1910: International Congress of Women Physicians:

  • The International Congress of Women Physicians is held in Berlin, bringing together female doctors from around the world to discuss common challenges and advancements.

• 1915: Gerty Cori - First Woman to Win a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine:

  • Gerty Cori becomes the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, sharing the prize with her husband Carl Cori for their work on carbohydrate metabolism.

• 1940s: World War II - Increased Opportunities for Women in Medicine:

  • During World War II, the demand for medical professionals increases, providing more opportunities for women to enter the medical field.

• 1960s-1970s: Second Wave Feminism - Advances in Gender Equality:

  • The feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s leads to increased advocacy for gender equality in various professions, including medicine.

• 1970: Title IX - Legislation Promoting Gender Equality:

  • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is enacted in the United States, prohibiting sex-based discrimination in educational programs, including medical schools.

• 1981: Helen Brooke Taussig - Presidential Medal of Freedom:

  • Helen Brooke Taussig, a pioneering pediatric cardiologist, receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contributions to medicine.

• 1990s-Present: Increasing Representation of Women in Medicine:

  • The number of women entering and practicing medicine continues to increase, with growing representation in various medical specialties and leadership positions.

After a career in sales and marketing and raising two boys active in sports, right through the college level, I asked the age-old question, Now what? I didn’t spend long looking for my answer. I found it within the return hits from a genealogy search on my great-great-grandfather, William S. Peirce, Esquire. From FamousAmericans.net: He took an active part in founding the Woman’s Medical College in Philadelphia.

Inspired by that line, more research ensued, and a story and characters formed. The early graduates of the Woman’s Medical College have remained in the shadows. Their stories needed to be told. With a love of history, I balanced a need for authenticity and details with a flair to create emotional connections to fictional characters.

While my family has roots in Philadelphia, I am a Boston girl through and through, from my accent to the cans of baked beans in my pantry, to the New England Patriots flag that hangs over our driveway every fall. I grew up outside of Boston and remained in Massachusetts, graduating with a B.A. in Psychology from Wheaton College, at the time, an all-women’s college. At Wheaton, I developed a fond appreciation of the supportive relationships established between students, faculty, and alumnae and a heightened awareness of female-centric issues. Both directed my writing of The Unlocked Path.

With a plot and themes sketched, I enrolled in a creative writing course sponsored by Wesleyan University to hone my skills. Combining years of extensive research and feedback from writers’ conferences and a series of beta readers, I polished my manuscript and readied it for publication with Black Rose Writing.

Splitting my time between Cape Cod, New Hampshire, Florida and hotels along Route 95, a tablet became my Kindle library and desk, packed into a travel bag for reading and writing wherever I might land. My husband, along with our rescue pup, has willingly, and luckily, also embraced this nomadic lifestyle. More adventures beckon me to document other women in history whose stories need to be discovered. (JanisRDaly.com)