Book Excerpts from Marie Conner: A Leading Lady by Elle Mott

Just in time for Women's History Month: A tale of resilience, heart, and quiet strength

Hey, writers!

It’s hard to believe February is already winding down. As we head into March and Women’s History Month, I’ve been thinking a lot about the stories we tell, and the ones that don’t always get the spotlight they deserve.

Today I’m sharing a few excerpts from Marie Conner: A Leading Lady by Elle Mott, a powerful portrait of a woman who refuses to stay small in a world that expects her to.

Marie’s life was shaped by hardship, determination, and a fierce commitment to her community. Her story is a reminder that leadership often begins quietly, in everyday acts of courage and care.

I hope these excerpts draw you in as much as they did me. I've included links for grabbing your own copy of the book below as well as ways you can connect with the author, Elle Mott.

Enjoy the sneak peeks!

~ CC

---

Excerpts from the book:

Chapter 8

“To Follow Life’s Lead”

Marie stood poised and sported a houndstooth dress with an ascot scarf that flowed and dropped perfectly just below her neckline. Her polite smile, accentuated by red lipstick with rounded corners, conveyed a benevolent charm as she welcomed guests to a teacher’s reception on Thursday evening, September 16. Parents and PTA members showed up in a record-breaking attendance to meet sixty-three teachers in the south wing of Lebanon High School. Parents were handed name tags to pin on their suit jackets, and teachers wore corsages.

Marie greeted each person as they walked in, and the total in attendance numbered more than two hundred. Once everyone was seated comfortably in the high school’s Little Theater, Marie stepped up to the podium and introduced herself as the 1948—49 PTA president. Her attentive audience listened as she next introduced the superintendent of the Lebanon schools, Mr. James King.

Mr. King’s speech emphasized the student population growth. They now had 950 grade school students, up from the previous year’s 622. The high school was no exception in that it had increased to 1,620 students. He also gave mention to Green Acres School, which would soon open. With an expressed appreciation for all that the PTA was doing, Mr. King recognized that they had their hands full. In all plausibility, Marie held her head high and nodded with a can-do-attitude.

It was a tall order, but she had successfully led a Red Cross fund drive as residential chairman and had managed the unit’s finances with the American Legion. She was accustomed to organizing events and assuming responsibilities. She knew that this PTA presidential term would experience many firsts in their membership pool. They now had room mother presidents not only in the two grade schools but also in the high school, along with a greater number of committees and chairman positions. And, as Mr. King had said, another grade school would open later that school year, which meant even more room mothers for Marie and her officers to lead. She knew she could lead the PTA. If only her father could also have known that.  

Chapter 15 (Marie’s documented written words from December 1952)

“Love”

I opened the shop at 10:30. The first thing of course is building a fire in a wood heater. The wood is rather wet, no kindling and no axe. But we always get it started. By this time, we have quite a group of people in the shop. They are there for various reasons. Saturday, 89 people came to the shop. Some came for help, some out of curiosity, and some to buy. Today the first thing I must do is drive nearly to Berlin to aid a lovely old couple. It is nearly 1 p.m. when I arrive back in Lebanon.

We prepare a hasty lunch in our little kitchen and as I try to eat a few bites I receive the most wonderful gift that could have come to the shop. Our telephone had arrived. Nothing was ever needed more. The number is 7042. I felt my day had been full. Also, during this time, I interviewed three people while I was at a cup of tea and a sandwich, trying to get a bite in now and then. I was able to help all three people due to those who had made purchases during the morning. You see, the shop is a place to help one another. The one who pays helps the one who needs and the one who gives the articles helps the other two and I am sure the giver is repaid by the joy she brings.  

Since the opening of the shop, I have had a dream of a sewing room, but we have never had time to get the room cleaned out because it was the room where things needing repair or cleaning was kept. Now the barn that is directly behind the shop has been almost completed so that we were able to remove these things to there. With one helper and so many to wait on it seemed an impossible task. But again, a wonderful thing happened. A mother and daughter who are old friends of mine walked in and offered to help. We certainly could use them, and they worked all afternoon. Several old people without transportation wanted boxes of things delivered so my trusty pick-up and I were out in the rain off and on all afternoon, so you can imagine how time flies when we are that busy. My closing time came only too soon. We had not completed the renovation of the room needed for sewing. I went to the home of a helper who had to stay home all day with two grandchildren. Her daughter relieved her of this job in the evening, so she and I went back down after a bite to eat, and at 12 midnight, we had the room in apple pie order and now my dream has come true. Anyone who has an hour or so to spare and wants to drop in and do some mending or tie quilts will now be able to do so.. Of course, all I need now is a sewing machine and ironing board for this room. I purchased a nice machine from a woman who needed money, but someone needed the machine so badly and of course I now do not have one. 

Saturday, a beautifully dressed person came in and looked around and asked, “What is this place?”

She understood what I meant when I answered her. “It is the heart of Lebanon.”

---

More About the Book:

Marie was born a girl. That was only her first mistake, according to her father.

In an era when daughters and wives are not supposed to be concerned with matters outside the home, Marie is determined to prove him wrong. To do this, she must break down barriers placed on women in society, overcome difficulties that befall her, surpass hardships from the Great Depression, and then face an inevitable relocation.

Marie steps into her community and into the hearts of many people to give her time and help with their needs. She wants nothing in return other than her father's acceptance as a worthy woman and yet, she gains much in return, even if it is not her father's praise. This is Marie’s story—of a rise from her girlhood angsts to become a leading lady—and much more.

Advanced Praise for Marie Conner, A Leading Lady

“Wow, this book is such a delight! It tells the incredible story of Marie Conner, an amazing woman whose life had me hooked from the very start. As a businesswoman and community volunteer in Lebanon, Oregon, I felt a real connection to her journey. I recognized names that begat generations of hard working, generous people.

Marie’s blend of business savvy and commitment to helping others is truly inspiring. The author does a fantastic job of painting a vivid picture of Marie’s day-to-day life, making you feel like you’re right there with her, experiencing all the ups and downs. This book is a beautiful reminder of how one person can make a difference, and it’s perfect for anyone who loves stories about community spirit and dedication. Definitely worth a read!” 

--Jennifer Stewart Grove 

Outreach Director of The Oaks at Lebanon Retirement Community

Entertainment Chair of the Lebanon Strawberry Festival

Woman of the Year, 2019, Lebanon, Oregon.

Pick up a copy of Marie Conner: A Leading Lady

Publisher: Luminare Press

ISBN-13: 979-8-88679-972-9

ASIN: B0GFGTN761

Print length: 303 pages

Purchase a copy of the book on Amazon. Add it to your GoodReads reading list.

---

All About the Author

Elle Mott writes creative nonfiction. Marie Conner: Leading Lady is her third book. She is the author of “Out of Chaos: A Memoir” and “People Helping People.” Her other writing pieces have been featured in literary journals, news magazines, and anthologies. She has a background working in libraries, both at the college level and, for more than ten years, at the public library in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. While library work is her livelihood, writing is her passion. Elle grew up in Oregon and now makes her home in the suburbs of northern Kentucky with two cats and several pet birds. 

Connect with Elle online:

Website: https://ellemottauthor.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elle-mott-author

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellemott.author

All Author: https://allauthor.com/author/ellemott

Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/ellemott

---

Thoughts on the excerpts? Or maybe you've read the book? I'd love to hear from you in the comments or through a message here!

Peace & plenty,