difference inside. We are the same. Blacks and Chinese as well. As far as science has proven to me, once you peel away the outer skin, we are basically the same.”
“So maybe you need to work that into your speech. While you defend the need for female doctors, maybe that tidbit of knowledge could be shared as well.”
“I think Nancy makes a good point,” Seth chimed in. “Maybe with your education and knowledge of the body, you will be able to persuade others to reconsider their opinions. After all, other doctors know the truth as well.”
Faith smiled. “You might have a point there. I’ll give it some thought.”
“Perhaps Mrs. Jackson can even offer you advice on how to approach your audience,” Nancy said.
“I’m sure she could. She truly is a remarkable woman. I hope you get to meet her one day.”
Such thoughts filled Faith’s dreams that night, and the next morning as she made her bed, she continued to ponder what Seth and Nancy had suggested. The idea behind speaking about being a female doctor was to raise financial support for the college. If she expressed her own feelings against racial prejudices by using her educational experiences, she had a feeling it would only defeat the first purpose. Yet how could she stand by and do nothing?
A light rapping sounded on her door. “Come in.” She plumped the pillow and waited to see who it was.
“Good morning, Faith.” Clementine beamed at her. “Nancy asked me to give you this letter. It came yesterday, and she forgot all about it until this morning.”
Faith took the missive and glanced at the writing. “It’s from my mother.”
“Always good to have news from home. I’ll leave you to read it.”
Once Clementine was gone, Faith opened the envelope and scanned the page. She had to smile at her mother’s concern about her staying warm enough and keeping dry. She supposed no matter what her age might be, Faith would always be a little girl to her mother. She continued to read.
Your father and I heartily approve of your work with the other college students to hold lectures to promote unifying people of all colors. We want to help with that in any way we can.
Faith had written to express her concerns some weeks before her trip home for Christmas. There had been little time to discuss it over the holidays, but now that she was refocusing on her final semester of school, Faith felt an urgency to do whatever she could to help further the cause. Last night had driven home a point to which she had given little thought. People were suffering because of prejudices and bad laws, and it was her duty to help get those laws changed and see that all people were treated equally. She might not be able to vote, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t work to influence others.
Your father plans to come to Portland and set up a bank account for you. The money can be used for your personal needs but also for helping fund your lecture plans.
Faith couldn’t contain her smile. Her parents were always generous, and her father would know exactly the kind of funding they would need to rent out speaking halls and have flyers printed.
We are proud of you, Faith. You have always been so tenderhearted toward people of all colors. Your kindness and determination to see people treated as God would treat them serves to make you all the more admirable.
To know that her parents were proud of her brought tears to Faith’s eyes. She had always worked for their favorable opinion and approval, and now it was clear she had both. She could hardly ask for more than that.
Faith went to her writing desk and took a seat. She would send a thank-you note back to her folks, but first she would write to Helen Hunt Jackson. With the funding provided by her folks, it seemed clear that God was calling her to take up the cause, and Helen would be able to advise her as to how to start.
Perhaps she could even favor us with a visit! Faith picked up her pen.
CHAPTER 9
With her classes resuming next Monday, as well as her speaking event for Mr. Lakewood the same evening, Faith began to feel overwhelmed. It was already Friday, which gave her only two days to see to schoolwork and her speech, because she wanted to keep her Sabbath as a day of rest. When Seth mentioned that the Morning