Avail Yourself Betsy: The Dramatic Biography Of Prison Reformer Elizabeth Fry Assembled By Jean Hatton Available As Audiobook

came to deeply admire Elizabeth Fry through this book, she is inspiring, This is a comprehensive biography of the renowned prison reformer, Elizabeth Fry, From a childhood beset with fears to years of prison visiting and working as a minister of the Society of Friends, this book reveals that Elizabeth Fry's life did not always run smoothly.
Although constantly battling with depression and financial crises, Elizabeth Fry was instrumental in the reform of the British prison system, particularly in relation to female offenders.

The number of family members referred to in the book was a bit overwhelming at times, It was hard to remember their relationship to Elizabeth without constantly referring to the family trees, I also lost track of the places she lived in and visited at times and would have liked to have been reminded where a house was when it was mentioned rather than just the name of the house.
A timeline of Elizabeth's life might have been helpful too, This biography of prison reformer Elizabeth Fry was an eyeopening account of a woman far ahead of her time, I cant imagine what it was like for her, in the earlyth century, to descend into “the hell” of Newgate Gaol, specifically for the purpose of understanding and sympathizing with the female prisoners held there under horrendously awful conditions but Hattons dramatic descriptions helped to bring it all to life.
Betsy began a onewoman campaign to convince the judicial system that a more humane approach was not only valid, but entirely necessary.
Fighting against her own personal physical illnesses, the disdain of those who refused to see things her way, the difficulties of longdistance travel, and the closedminded attitudes of her day, she continued on with determination and fortitude and a firm belief in the importance of her task.
A fascinating journey, a wellwritten story, and an enjoyable read, Such an interesting book. It is wonderful to learn about this very influential Quaker feminist, who led

the way in not just prison reform but also more generally in women's involvement in political action.
Startling to learn that she struggled with depression and self doubt all her life, She had eleven children and lots of angst about her parenting and her relationships with them, As an Australian she made a huge contribution to the welfare of women convicts both awaiting transportation, on board ship and when they arrived here.
'Onward in Faith'. I am not generally a lover of biographies, they are often dry narratives that do little to draw the reader in, This biography is better than most it portrays Elizabeth Fry as a woman full of struggle and inner turmoil, A woman who received education and love from her family not often seen in the time that she lived, Ridiculed for being not enough and at the same time too much, A woman who made a difference whilst living a life similar to many women of her time and standing, She brought herself "out of the crowd" This was a really good read What a fascinating woman, Just goes to show that even socalled "saints" had incredible struggles with doubt, temptation, depression and selfishness, Wow, I finally slogged through it! This work about the Quaker prison reformer Elizabeth Gurney Fry was painstakingly, thoroughly researched, and it shows in the richness of detail in every chapter.
Although the details might be thought repetitive, I didn't mind because I felt it showed the struggles and concerns Betsy held throughout her life.
I certainly had a lot of my preconceived notions about Betsy dashed, I knew of her work in prison reform, and I knew the Gurneys were known as "Gay Quakers," meaning they did not wear plain dress, participated in music etc.
etc. Well, that was her family background, but Betsy eventually turned away from that toward a more plain way of living.


I also did not know that she struggled in childhood and probably throughout adulthood with what was probably some form of mood disorder such as major depressionsthe author even briefly speculates about what might have been the course of treatment for Betsy in later years probably now an SSRI.
Betsy did selfmedicate with alcohol and this brought up a lot of selfdoubt for her, She often tore pages out of her journals where she wallowed in her deepest depression or worried about her use of alcohol, etc.
Her husband's and therefore her family's money troubles also occasioned much pain in her life and much selfcensoring,

Also of great interest to me was the fact that her kids were pretty unruly and other Quakers, especially her relatives, despaired of them and of Betsy's lax parenting! This caused her great pain as well.
Furthermore, she spent a huge amount of time nursing the ill among her extended family, With all these obstacles in her path, the fact that she was able to effect the reforms that she did, and move so many people with what was apparently a very charismatic, in a deep and calm way, speaking style, was even more amazing.
In addition to reform IN the prisons, she also helped isolated coast guard families and made changes in the situations of female convicts set to be deported to Australia.


Knowing the flaws of her life again, painstakingly detailed by Hatton actually made her life and work more inspiring to me, because I struggle and doubt myself and feel very flawed and often feel I can't make a difference.
So I am glad Hatton included this personal background in her work,

I also found it interesting to read a biography of a wellknown Quaker by someone whom I am guessing was not a Quaker.
In,yearold Elizabeth Betsy Fry walked alone into the horrific Newgate Gaol jail as a minister of the Society of Friends Quakers.
The transformation she brought to the female inmates there propelled her onto the stage of world history, This is Betsy's story, a woman whose life and commitment still inspires Christians to stand up for their beliefs and the rights and respect due to even the poorest and most neglected of God's children.
.