Women's History Shero

Slavery is nasty part of our nation's history. Enslaved Africans unknowingly (to many today) are responsible for many achievements in our history, and were great contributors to the success and stability of many households including former presidents.

Ona Judge was enslaved to Martha Washington who was married to George Washington, 1st President. During this time she was required to serve Martha by making clothes, cleaning, helping with the kids and supporting her exclusively. When George became President and moved to NY and later Philadelphia, Ona learned that many blacks in the North were free. When she got word that she would be given as a gift to Martha's bratty granddaughter who was to be married, Ona decided to flee.

As the slave of the President, this was a monumental move. George and Martha were embarrassed and horrified. The President tried to find her and even disobeyed laws he created surrounding the Fugitive Slave Act to do so. This was to no avail because even when she was discovered, she was not captured. After marrying, having several children and eluding the Washingtons, Ona was never captured and lived to tell her story well into her 70's.

This historical fiction is full of triumph, tragedy and historical information. Readers will find themselves mezmorized by her bravery and at times horrified by the actions of the Washington's and attitudes regarding slavery in America.