Marcie Flinchum Atkins
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marciefatkins.bsky.social
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
@marciefatkins.bsky.social
2.3K followers 730 following 190 posts
Librarian | Hollins gal (MA/MFA) | Poet | PB & YA Author | Wait, Rest, Pause (2019) One Step Forward (2025) When Twilight Comes (2026) | Rep: Carter Hasegawa at Tugeau2

www.marcieatkins.com

https://linktr.ee/marciefatkins
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I’m at @vaasl.bsky.social for #vaaslgold Come say hi!
November 6, 2025 at 1:07 PM
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Tomorrow is independent bookstore day and there are newly signed copies of One Step Forward at @onemorepagebooks.bsky.social
April 26, 2025 at 1:17 AM
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#haikussturday
Yellow witch hazel with red centers Haiku: Fireworks Witch hazel bursts Into the gray day Haiku & photo 2025 Marcie Flinchum Atkins
April 12, 2025 at 2:01 PM
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I’m the #poetryfriday host this week. Hop on by and read the posts: www.marcieatkins.com/2025/03/27/p...

#haikusaturday
Water-logged blooms Makeup streaked after A good cry Haiku and photo Marcie Flinchum Atkins Rain soaked red maple blossoms
March 30, 2025 at 12:53 AM
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#haikusaturday
Witch hazel / we stretch our fingers / to reach spring Haiku and Photo 2025 Marcie Flinchum Atkins / photo of yellow witch hazel flowers with pink centers. Taken at Green Spring Gardens
March 22, 2025 at 12:07 PM
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Happy birthday to suffragist Matilda Young who fought for the passage of the 19th amendment. #suffragists www.onemorepagebooks.com/one-step-for...
Happy birthday! A black and white photo of Matilda young from the Library of Congress collection. Library of Congress photo description: “Formal portrait, three-quarter-length, Matilda Young, facing slightly to the right with head turned slightly to the left, standing with right hand in pocket and left hand on waist with coat or shawl draped across left arm, wearing wide-brimmed hat with embroidered cloth around band.” Matilda Young was born March 14, 1891. Matilda Young was the youngest suffragist to be imprisoned at Occoquan Workhouse during the “Night of Terror” at 19 years old! One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins Versify/HarperCollins March 4, 2025 Available now: bit.ly/OSFAtkins “Powerful, necessary reading” — Kirkus Starred Review
March 14, 2025 at 9:31 AM
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#haikusaturday
Bare trees against a pink sunrise. Haiku: dentist office / cotton candy sunrise / no sugar allowed by Marcie Flinchum Atkins
March 8, 2025 at 12:04 PM
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I’m so excited for people to read Matilda Young’s story of fighting for woman suffrage. In bookstores today! #suffrage #suffragists #womenshistorymonth www.onemorepagebooks.com/one-step-for...
One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins. Now available in bookstores. Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. The cover has Matilda Young, a suffragist, surrounded by flowers and ribbons that say “Votes for Women.” “Powerful, necessary reading”—Kirkus Starred Review “This coming-of-age story intertwined with women’s fight to vote creates a forceful story.” —School Library Journal Starred Review. Order your signed copy now at: bit.ly/OSFAtkins
March 4, 2025 at 10:10 AM
marciefatkins.bsky.social
Women have been protesting for more than 100 years. The first (but not the last) women’s march was on March 3, 1913. You can read more about the march on HarperStacks blog. harperstacks.com/blogs/blog/m...
Black and white photo of the women’s march of 1913. With the Capitol building in the background, women march down Pennsylvania Avenue. The group in the foreground are nurses dressed in white. March 3, 1913 Woman Suffrage Procession. One hundred twelve years ago today, women marched down Pennsylvania Avenue, the day before Woodrow Wilson was inaugurated. In some spots along the Avenue, men yelled at them, ripped their clothing, and closed in on the march. They persisted. One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins Versify/HarperCollins March 4, 2025 Available for preorder now: bit.ly/OSFAtkins “Powerful, necessary reading” — Kirkus Starred Review
March 3, 2025 at 10:21 AM
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I’m so grateful that SLJ gave my book a starred review!! ⭐️ I rely on this journal so much for my own collection, so I’m thrilled to have my book recognized by them!
School Library Journal starred review: "Poetry reflects the events and emotions—a square concrete poem for her jail cell, text side by side as [characters] walk and talk, and shrinking text as Matilda feels silenced. Women finding and employing their voices is a theme. A forceful story while chronicling parts of the suffrage movement often ignored." Preorder your signed copy now at: bit.ly/OSFAtkins The book cover shows Matilda Young surrounded by flowers and ribbons that say “Votes for Women.” One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins is on the cover.
March 2, 2025 at 12:02 PM
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#haikusaturday

February storm
snow cones served
In the moon garden
Peaks of snow piled on spent hydrangea blooms
March 1, 2025 at 11:36 PM
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March is Women’s History Month. What woman would you like people to know about this March? Who do you admire from history? www.marcieatkins.com/suffrage-his... #womenshistorymonth
Women’s History Month A black and white photo shows two white women. One, Francis Pepper, is seated at a typewriter. Another, Elizabeth Smith, is standing on a step ladder and sorting piles of The Suffragist newsletter. This photo is from the Library of Congress. While researching One Step Forward, I realized how much I didn’t know about suffrage history. I learned a lot by reading the digitized Suffragist newsletter that the National Woman’s Party distributed (along with newspapers from the time, books written by suffragists, and primary sources from the Library of Congress). My book is dedicated to the women who came before me who worked so hard for our rights. One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins Versify/HarperCollins March 4, 2025 Available for preorder now: bit.ly/OSFAtkins “Powerful, necessary reading” — Kirkus Starred Review
March 1, 2025 at 11:44 AM
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Thank you, Debbie! My debut YA comes out March 4. It’s a historical fiction novel-in-verse about the youngest suffragist to be imprisoned for protesting for the right to vote. Versify/HarperCollins Cover Art by Babeth Lafon @epicreads.bsky.social
www.marcieatkins.com/one-step-for... #kidlit
The book cover shows Matilda Young surrounded by flowers and ribbons that say “Votes for Women.” One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins is on the cover.
March 1, 2025 at 3:38 AM
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Matilda Young, the protagonist in my new book was in Washington, DC for most of her life. She was curator for a children’s museum and a charter member of the Children’s Book Guild. www.marcieatkins.com/suffrage-his...
Newspaper photo from the Evening Star September 7, 1945 of two young men carrying a dollhouse off the bed of a truck. Caption: Two of the Children’s Museum boy members helping yesterday at moving the exhibits in storage. They are Stephen Stewart, 14, 4320 Verplanck place NW and Lloyd Hinton, 15, 2831 Twenty-eight street NW. Another black and white photo is of the Conduit Road School. A small single story building with four windows. Title: Matilda Young Museum Curator. As an adult, Matilda Young founded a children’s museum in Washington, DC. Over time, it was in several locations including one location on Massachusetts Avenue which was sold to developers. The museum also was housed in the old Conduit Road School on MacArthur Blvd. There is currently a children’s museum in DC, but it is a different one than founded by Matilda Young. From a profile of Matilda Young from the Children’s Book Guild Archives: “Editors Note: Modest Matilda. The Guild could not have managed without you. For years you bore upon your own slight shoulders the fearsome task of competently supervising our Annual Luncheon. For years you also encouraged nervous presidents with your bright, friendly face, your moral support, wise suggestions, and helpful comments. Your name may not appear upon a book jacket, Matilda Young, but on the roster of the Children’s Book Guild it shall be ever inscribed in letters of gold.” Title: Matilda Young, Children’s Book Enthusiast. In addition to being a children’s museum director, Matilda was involved in children’s theater in DC. She was also a charter member of the Children’s Book Guild. The Children’s Book Guild is still an organization with members from all parts of the children’s book industry. One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins Versify/HarperCollins March 4, 2025 Available for preorder now: bit.ly/OSFAtkins “Powerful, necessary reading” — Kirkus Starred Review
February 28, 2025 at 10:42 AM
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Research is my jam and finding cool details is part of the fun. Piecing together Matilda’s story took some digging. I found this National Woman’s Party (NWP) switchboard operator schedule with her name on it at the Library of Congress. #suffragists
A typed schedule for the National Woman’s Party switchboard operators from February 1918. Matilda Young is on the schedule from 9am-1pm and from 2pm-5pm. She’s also on the schedule for holidays 9am-3:30pm. Title: Matilda Young as switchboard operator. Text: While going through the National Woman’s Party (NWP) records at the Library of Congress, I ran across this slip of paper. In February 1918 (and perhaps other times), Matilda Young was busy working for the NWP as a switchboard operator. One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins Versify/HarperCollins March 4, 2025 Available for preorder now: bit.ly/OSFAtkins “Powerful, necessary reading” — Kirkus Starred Review
February 27, 2025 at 10:39 AM
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Matilda Young was at Occoquan Workhouse on the “Night of Terror” when suffragists were beaten. Learning about this event first made me ask questions about the suffragists’ story. #suffragists www.marcieatkins.com/suffrage-his...
Black and white photo of a cell at Occoquan Workhouse from the Library of Congress. November 14, 1917 “Night of Terror” In November 1917, many suffragists were arrested and later sentenced to time at Occoquan Workhouse in Lorton, Virginia. Matilda Young was just 19 at the time. Lucy Burns said about that night: “Seized by guards from behind, flung off my feet, and shot out of the room. All of us were seized by men guards and dragged to cells in men’s part.” Occoquan Workhouse is now Workhouse Arts Center and has the Lucy Burns Museum that honors the suffrage story. One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins Versify/HarperCollins March 4, 2025 Available for preorder now: bit.ly/OSFAtkins “Powerful, necessary reading” — Kirkus Starred Review
February 26, 2025 at 11:11 AM
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Matilda Young didn’t protest alone. Suffragists took turns at the White House gates and later outside of the Capitol building. Matilda protested with (and was arrested with) Rose Winslow (also know as Ruza Wenclawska) who had been a factory worker until suffering from TB. #suffragists #versenovel
Matilda Young and Ruza Wenclawska (aka Rose Winslow) Matilda protested with other suffragists, including Rose Winslow. In some of the suffragist information, she is referred to as Rose. In some publications, she’s referred to by her Polish name, Ruza Wenclawska. Rose and Matilda were arrested together one afternoon in October 1917 as men were getting off work at 4:30pm and saw them protesting. One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins Versify/HarperCollins March 4, 2025 Available for preorder now: bit.ly/OSFAtkins “Powerful, necessary reading” — Kirkus Starred Review
February 25, 2025 at 10:53 AM
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One of the ways I learned about Matilda’s family was through census records, including this one from 1910.

www.marcieatkins.com/suffrage-his... #suffragists #historicalfiction
1910 Washington City Census records. Matilda Young’s family is listed. Her father: Ludwig Young. Her mother Harriet Young. Her brother Arthur Young. Her sisters Joy, Louise, Rachel, Sophie, and Mary Young. Family Details: One of the ways I learned about Matilda Young and her family was through census records. In 1910, her parents, her brother, and her five sisters were all living in Washington, DC. Matilda was 12 at the time. Her father worked for the Census Bureau as a clerk. Her brother worked as a shipping clerk at a department store. One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins Versify/HarperCollins March 4, 2025 Available for preorder now: bit.ly/OSFAtkins “Powerful, necessary reading” — Kirkus Starred Review
February 24, 2025 at 11:27 AM
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One of the most interesting parts of researching ONE STEP FORWARD is learning about the people who fought for suffrage. Matilda Young grew up in Washington, DC, and fought for suffrage in DC. #suffragehistory #suffragists www.marcieatkins.com/suffrage-his...
Matilda Nevitt Young, Yearbook Picture in black and white, the description says “Braided is her hair soft her look and modest” If there be any truth in the statement that great things come in small packages, then, verily, doth Matilda prove great. Yea, now also is she likely to be a great deal missed when she leaveth Central, a maid, the tiniest, cutest, most charming of the class. And we know that wheresoever she doth betake herself next year, straightway there shall appear victims of her ready blush and drooping eyes. from the Brecky Yearbook, Central High School, Washington, DC 1916, Yearbooks obtained at the DC Public Library. My commentary: Matilda Young lived in an apartment on 18th Street NW in Washington, DC. She attended Central High School (now Cardozo Education Campus). Her name is published as a 1916 graduate in both the Washington Herald and the Washington Evening Star. A 1914 map of NW Washington DC from the Library of Congress “Washington Standard Guide”. Matilda’s neighborhood on the corner of California and 18th street NW are circled. And Central HS between Clifton and Florida streets are circled. My commentary: As part of my research for One Step Forward, I walked from Matilda’s high school to her neighborhood. One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins Versify/HarperCollins March 4, 2025 Available for preorder now: bit.ly/OSFAtkins “Powerful, necessary reading” — Kirkus Starred Review
February 23, 2025 at 5:50 PM
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Even in winter, gardens are beautiful. #haikusaturday
Silvery seed pods hanging in winter. Haiku: pompoms dangle / from the thinning bush / still celebrating Haiku and photo 2025 Marcie Flinchum Atkins
February 22, 2025 at 1:35 PM
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I first heard the term “suffragette” as a kid watching the first Mary Poppins movie. When researching ONE STEP FORWARD, I learned that women in the US preferred the term “suffragist.” For more links and info: www.marcieatkins.com/suffrage-his...
Suffragette or suffragist? A woman in a coat and hat stands at the White House gates holding a banner that says “How long must women wait for liberty? “Suffragette” was used in Britain as a derogatory, diminutive term. Suffragettes in Britain eventually embraced the term. But their American counterparts preferred “suffragist.” A “suffragist” could refer to anyone working for woman suffrage. In fact, the term suffragist could also apply to men who supported women’s right to vote. There was also an anti-suffrage movement full of men and women who didn’t want women to get the vote. One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins Versify/HarperCollins March 4, 2025 Available for preorder now: bit.ly/OSFAtkins “Powerful, necessary reading” — Kirkus Starred Review
February 22, 2025 at 1:08 PM
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#haikusaturday www.marcieatkins.com/2025/02/13/p...
Haiku: glass etching / drips from / the rhododendron by Marcie Flinchum Atkins
February 15, 2025 at 2:21 PM
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Suffragists sent tongue-in-cheek valentines to members of Congress in 1916. Check out some of their messages in favor of Votes for Women. #suffragists
February 14, 2025 at 11:47 AM
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#haikusaturday Photo taken at the Folger Shakespeare Library
Photo of white ruffles with lights at the Folger Shakespeare Library. Haiku and photo by Marcie Flinchum Atkins ceiling ruffles / an undulation / of jellyfish
February 8, 2025 at 10:16 PM
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I went to a seed starting class and came home to boxes of books! 💜
A box of copies of ONE STEP FORWARD by Marcie Flinchum Atkins
February 8, 2025 at 6:09 PM