Americas First Freedom Rider, Jerry Mikorenda
Americas First Freedom Rider, Jerry Mikorenda
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America's First Freedom Rider
Elizabeth Jennings, Chester A. Arthur, and the Early Fight for Civil Rights

Author: Jerry Mikorenda

Narrator: Kevin Kenerly

Unabridged: 6 hr 22 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/18/2020

Synopsis

In 1854, traveling was full of danger. Omnibus accidents were commonplace. Pedestrians were regularly attacked by the Five Points’ gangs. Rival police forces watched and argued over who should help. Pickpockets, drunks, and kidnappers were all part of the daily street scene in old New York. Yet somehow, they endured and transformed a trading post into the Empire City.None of this was on Elizabeth Jennings’s mind as she climbed the platform onto the Chatham Street horse-car. But her destination and that of the country took a sudden turn when the conductor told her to wait for the next car because it had “her people” in it. When she refused to step off the bus, she was assaulted by the conductor who was aided by a New York police officer. On February 22, 1855, the Elizabeth Jennings v. Third Avenue Rail Road case was settled: the jury stunned the courtroom with a $250 verdict in Lizzie’s favor. Future US president Chester A. Arthur was Jennings’s attorney and their lives would be forever onward intertwined.This is the story of what happened that day. It’s also the story of Jennings and Arthur’s families, the struggle for equality, and race relations. It’s the history of America at its most despicable and most exhilarating. Yet few historians know of Elizabeth Jennings or the impact she had on desegregating public transit.

About Jerry Mikorenda

Jerry Mikorenda’s articles and op-eds have appeared in the New York Times, Newsday, the Boston Herald, San Francisco Chronicle, and Wall Street Journal, as well as various other magazines. He is also a graduate of the prestigious Master’s Program at Syracuse University’s S. I. Newhouse School.

About Kevin Kenerly

Kevin Kenerly, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, earned a BA at Olivet College. A longtime member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, he has acted in more than twenty seasons, playing dozens of roles.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Melanie on September 25, 2020

July 16, 1854 was an eventful day for Elizabeth Jennings. Traveling anywhere and in anyway was dangerous in New York City. Elizabeth Jennings got on a horse car and the conductor was less than happy. He told her to wait for the next car because "her" people would be on it. She refused. The conducto......more

Goodreads review by Paul on June 02, 2020

This book is on Audible, the gentleman who read America's First Freedom Rider did an excellent job. Who knew that 100 years before Rosa Parks there was Elizabeth Jennings of NYC? The author writes where America was like for African Americans. Of course most of us realize how terrible it was for blac......more

Goodreads review by Anne on February 21, 2020

I thoroughly enjoyed this biography about Elizabeth Jennings and Chester Arthur. The author, Jerry Mikorenda, educates us about this very important time in our country's history in a manner that is engaging and easy to follow. Elizabeth Jennings was a woman ahead of her time, and the author helped m......more

Goodreads review by History7teacher on November 01, 2020

This is a story that has needed to be told. It is important and relevant, and interesting. I enjoyed the rich details about the history of NYC itself, in addition to the retelling of the struggle for civil rights and liberties of her people of color. My only negative comment was that the book needed......more

Goodreads review by Virginia on October 20, 2020

A Must Read This must read book is a microcosm of America's racial struggles interweaving the lives of Elizabeth Jennings and President Chester A. Arthur. It should be a required part of American History curriculum. In this time of the Black Lives Matter movement, it informs our understanding of this......more

Quotes

“Here’s a story every American should know…America’s First Freedom Rider is an impressive and inspiring weaving of our history, and a timely reminder that one person can change the world.” Stewart O’Nan, author of The Circus Fire

“Jerry Mikorenda brings to light the little-known story of civil rights champion Elizabeth Jennings, who broke racial barriers by integrating New York’s transit system a century before Rosa Parks.” Lisa Keller, Professor of History, Purchase College SUNY & Executive Editor of the Encyclopedia of New York City

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