Join us on Tree Speech as we uncover the remarkable legacy of Lizzie McDuffie — a pivotal yet often overlooked figure in American history.
In this episode, we're joined by author Shara Moon to discuss her powerful novel Let Us March On, inspired by the life and activism of McDuffie. As a maid in FDR’s White House, Lizzie McDuffie was more than a witness to history — she was a catalyst for it, quietly championing civil rights from within the halls of power.
Together, we explore how McDuffie’s quiet courage and tireless advocacy planted the seeds of change that would grow for generations. Shara’s insights bring depth and humanity to this unsung heroine’s story — where activism, justice, and resilience intertwine to shape a legacy that still resonates today.
Listen in as we explore the themes of nature, patience, and political action, highlighted in Shara's novel. This conversation uncovers the historical threads of activism, justice, and the enduring wisdom of trees, offering insights into our present moment.
As we honor Lizzie McDuffie's bravery and resilience, we invite you to reflect on her enduring impact and the lessons her legacy imparts. Join Dori Robinson for a special guided meditation to nurture the seeds of potential within us. Through the metaphor of cherry blossoms, we are reminded of the tenacity required for growth and renewal.
This week’s episode was written and recorded in New York on the land of the Lenapee tribes and in Florida on the land of the Mascogo Tribe.
This episode was written, edited, and produced by Jonathan Zautner.
To learn more about our podcast and episodes, please visit treespeechpodcast.com and consider supporting us through our Patreon - every contribution supports our production, and we’ll be giving gifts of gratitude to patrons of all levels. Please also consider passing the word, and rate and review us on Apple podcasts. Every kind word helps.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:12):
Welcome to Tree Speech, where weexamine the ways trees shape our
stories and how our stories, in turn, shape the world around us.
I'm Jonathan Zoutner, and in this episode, we step into
history's shadowed Grove and walk alongside voices that
continue to echo across generations.
(00:34):
Today, we're joined by author Shara Moon, whose new book, Let
Us March On, brings to light thelife of civil rights leader
Lizzie Mcduffie, a powerful yet often overlooked figure in
American history. And after our conversation, we
invite you to stay with us for aspecial guided meditation with
Dory Robinson, designed to help us reflect on Lizzie's legacy
(00:59):
and connect more deeply with thecompassion and resilience of the
season. In her new novel, Let Us March
On, Shara Moon uses meticulous research and vivid storytelling
to trace Lizzie Mcduffie's influence on movements for
justice as she explores the influence she had as a champion
(01:20):
for the rights of everyday Americans over President
Franklin D Roosevelt throughout her time working for him as a
maid in the White House. While FDR is widely known for
leading the nation through the Great Depression and World War
2, less often discussed is his deep personal connection to the
(01:41):
natural world. Including the.
Trees and animals at his Hyde Park and Warm Springs estates,
which he considered sources of solace and strength.
While FDR served longer than anyother president in U.S. history,
the job title that gave him the most satisfaction was that of
(02:03):
the 30-4 years. He also considered himself a
tree farmer even while serving as president.
He went so far as to record treefarmer as his occupation when he
voted. In her novel, Moon draws A
compelling parallel between Roosevelt's environmental ethos
(02:23):
and Mcduffie's grounded activism, showing how both
leaders, in different ways drew power from the land beneath
their feet. In this episode, we'll talk with
Shara about how she unearthed the true stories that shaped her
novel, including what Lizzie Mcduffie's legacy teaches us
about justice and memory, and how both Mcduffie and Roosevelt
(02:48):
drew from the quiet wisdom of trees as they faced the storms
of their time, and what these historical threads reveal about
our present moment. So settle in beneath the canopy
of history and hope, and let's listen to a conversation with
Shara Moon and her novel. Let us March on.
(03:16):
Hello Shara, welcome to Tree Speech.
Hi. I'm Jonathan.
Thanks for having me. You're welcome.
It's our pleasure. So our conversation today is
truly embracing the speech part of Tree speech as we're going to
explore who gets the opportunityto speak, how their voices are
amplified and the way their stories resonate across time.
(03:39):
And of course, we'll talk about.Trees too.
To start, could you share a bit about yourself and what inspired
you to write your new novel? Let us March on.
Yes, of course. I've always loved history, and
it's been a passion of mine. So to be able to actually
incorporate history into my writing and fictionalize it so
(04:00):
that I get a little bit more creative freedom is a dream.
But what inspired me to this particular story was when an
author friend of mine shared with me an article about Lizzie
Mcduffie. And the more I read about her,
the more fascinated I became when I found out that she had an
unpublished memoir, that she hadlived this great life with the
(04:20):
Roosevelts and had done so much that I felt like our story needs
to be told and a lot of people needs to know who she was and
what contribution she made to our country.
Exactly. She was so important and and
without you, who knows if the story would be told.
So I read that you were researching another project and
(04:41):
then you found out about her. And could you tell us how that
all came to be? Yes.
And so I was in the middle of writing another story, really
unrelated, but in that story, myprotagonist was running into an
issue where she needed to get the president involved.
And she was hoping that if she got an audience with the
president or the first lady, that maybe she can convince them
(05:03):
to help her in her situation. But, you know, there's always
levels to things. And she knew she couldn't just
show up at the White House and expect to meet the president.
So I needed a realistic entry point.
And when I was telling my friendKaya Alderson about my dilemma,
that's when she shared the article with me about Lizzie
Mcduffie. And I was like, oh, she's
perfect. She's exactly who my protagonist
(05:26):
needed. Because I found out that she was
very much involved with becomingthat bridge between the African
American community and the president.
But the more that I've researched her and found out
that, wow, she did more than just share stories with the
president, she campaign she advocated, she did so much that
even he respected her opinions enough to enact some of these
(05:49):
changes. And that's when I was like, OK,
I need to get a hold of her unpublished memoir.
And I did, of course, I'm writing historical fiction, so I
can't say it's a biography by any means.
But still, a lot of the fiction comes from the people she met.
The things that happened are very much true.
Did you do a lot of other research beyond the memoir?
(06:13):
What other things were you able to draw upon to weave within
this historical fiction novel? So I definitely did a deep dive
at the Archive Library in Atlanta that has her collection.
In the memoir. I was able to go through a lot
of personal letters. Her autograph book that she
talks about in her memoir. And I also mentioned in the
(06:34):
book, there is correspondence that I got to read.
There was pictures I got to lookat.
I also visited Warm Springs and got a real good behind the
scenes of not only FDR but also the close personal staff that he
brought with him to Warm Springswhen he visited, which they
called at the time, the Little White House, because he was
(06:55):
there, he spent a lot of his free time there.
You can really tell in reading your book how important she was
to the president and to his, to his wife, to Eleanor Roosevelt
and, and the whole staff and what an impact she had within
his presidency and within his personal opinions and beliefs,
which led to the work that he did and his three going on into
(07:17):
a fourth term, which is amazing to think about.
And I'm glad we don't have 4 terms today.
And that was a tumultuous time because of everything that was
happening in history. The book explores deep themes of
resilience, justice and collective action.
I'm wondering what are some of the key messages you hope
readers take away from reading about these experiences?
(07:41):
Resilience is definitely the onethat's jumps at the top of my
mind, especially in the times that we are in now.
There has always been something to fight for and struggle for,
and the fight never stops. And you have to kind of push
through. You have to hold out hope and
hold on to your resilience. That change will come and the
(08:01):
work that we're doing isn't for nothing.
Everyone thinks the civil rightsmovement really like kind of
spearheaded in the 60s, but it was happening years before then.
And I hope just that knowledge that this was happening in the
1800s and then in the early 1900s.
And then when we get to Lizzie'sstory and they're still fighting
(08:22):
for civil rights, human rights and social justice.
That was in 1930. The story kicked off 1933.
We're in 2025 and we're still pretty much fighting for a lot
of the same things. It's fighting to hold on to a
lot of some of these things and hope, resilience and the fact
that there are people out there that are striving to be on the
(08:45):
right side of history and we just kind of have to be hopeful
that good things will come and continue to come.
Leads me to nature so your book beautifully explores the
connection between humanity and nature, both thematically and in
vivid moments some of my favorite passages involve
(09:06):
lizzie's visits to Hyde Park with FDR Forrest and
rejuvenation I've been to Hyde Park in upstate it's.
Gorgeous. I love.
It that was the one place I had wanted to go.
I could never make it out there during my research, but I
definitely wanted to make a stopover at Hyde Park I.
Highly recommend. And if you're in the area or you
know, it's just, you can just feel the peace, you can feel the
(09:28):
groundedness and the the way nature sort of speaks to you,
the energy, it's really beautiful.
Then contrasting that, one of the most striking tensions in
the novel for me was FDR's reluctance to push for anti
lynching legislation due to the political climate of that
particular time. I'm wondering as I think about
(09:49):
Hyde Park and this time of year,spring, I wonder did the natural
rhythms of change? You know, it sort of happens
over time, how nature moves at its own pace and transitions
over time. Did that influence your writing
and the broader message of let us March on?
Is there something about being close to nature and having
patience but really wanting to push things forward but having
(10:11):
to relax? What does that mean to you?
Yeah. It was definitely a conscious
effort to put those moments in there.
I like the words that you use, Hyde Park being equated to rest
and rejuvenation because a lot of the times that's what it was.
Hyde Park and Warm Springs for the president.
And in those moments when they could get away from the White
(10:34):
House and a lot of the politicalenvironment, there is that scene
with them talking about the birdand how FDR really did have a
great love for birds and he was a bird nerd.
And it was a great way for me tointroduce that because for me,
(10:55):
birds symbolize freedom. And I wanted to make sure I
pulled that in so that I could show, like, in the grand scheme
of the story, we're all fightingfor freedom, our own freedoms
and whatever that means. Because even with being in
politics, you kind of get lockedin and lack of a better words,
(11:16):
like chained around certain things.
And so for me, it was like showing that FDR was still kind
of chained into like he was restrained and a lot of what he
couldn't, couldn't do or what hefelt he couldn't, couldn't do.
He didn't want to commit political suicide by supporting
something he felt would really destroy his chances at a re
(11:38):
election. And so just kind of showing that
he wanted all the things for everyone.
In his own words, he felt like he was fighting for the American
people, not just for African Americans or Asian Americans or,
you know, Latino Americans. His whole message was I'm
fighting for all Americans. But in that he also knew that
(11:59):
there's a game to be played, andthat keeps you restrained in a
lot of. Ways right and?
Like I said, it built conflict, you know, within, within the arc
of the novel as well. I do want to mention that
Lizzie's husband also worked forthe president ervin and both of
them lived a really full and vibrant and interesting life.
(12:22):
I read that writing this novel took a long time for you.
I'm wondering, did you find any personal healing or growth or
insights yourself in the processof writing this book?
I think so. I think it was.
I always tell people the labor of love because I had just
gotten married when I even pitched this story.
(12:44):
And then through the journey of writing and editing it, I had
three children and it kind of changed my perspective too, and
made me realize not only did Lizzie, like, you know, love
children, but she was a very good caretaker, I think with
everyone around her. And I think for the most part, I
(13:05):
always felt like I was a good caregiver.
But it definitely changed my perspective when I became a mom
on what it really means to give yourself to someone else and
have to devote your time and putyourself last.
And in a lot of ways, I felt connected a lot with Lizzie
because she did put herself second in a lot of ways.
(13:27):
And, you know, just moving to the White House, She doesn't
really elaborate that on her in her memoir.
But I can imagine that she didn't want to leave a family
she had been working for for over 2 decades, you know, to go
to an unknown territory and kindof restart her life again.
But she did that so she could bewith her husband.
(13:48):
And then when she gets to the White House, it was again
putting herself second so that she can take care of the
president, take care of the White House and keep the machine
running. That's really interesting.
We talked about the pace of nature, and everything sort of
has its own timing, and maybe that's part of this book as
well, as you had to have a certain experience to get into
(14:10):
the imagination to really createthis historical narrative.
Yeah. And I think yeah, it helped me
plant myself in her shoes, something I don't really share a
lot. But I had originally started the
story in third person cuz that'show I'm just used to writing and
I just didn't feel authentic andwrite for me.
(14:31):
And so I talked to my editor about it.
And so I switched the narrative to first person POV and it then
started to feel like not my story anymore or something I was
forcing. It really felt like she was
telling her story. It's sort of like a alchemy or
something, She takes her voice, comes through.
Yeah. Not to have a spoiler, but FDR
(14:54):
does die well in his fourth termwhile in office, and that had a
profound impact on Lizzie so shortly after his death, which
happened at Warm Spring. She was on a train back to DC
and she gazes out the window andreflects saying.
I stared out the train window and saw a lonely pine tree
(15:15):
towering above the rest of the forest.
It loomed in the distance with such distinguished power and
solitary splendor, much like theman we were bringing back home.
That's such a striking and poetic image.
Where did the inspiration for this tree metaphor come from for
you? It came from her.
Is she actually that was from her memoir and it's actually the
(15:38):
opening chapter. And it definitely hit me hard.
I was just like, wow, how beautifully told.
She opens her memoir with them leaving Warm Springs and her
talking about him on passing. And that metaphor was so
powerful for me that I was like,I have to make sure this ends up
in the book because it was not only poetic, but it was very
(16:02):
much, I think, the sentiment that a lot of people felt about
FDR. And when she talks about people
coming from all races and statuses and classes coming to
mourn this man who took a country that was in the brink of
destruction and revived it and pretty much gave his life in the
(16:24):
process, I, I definitely resonated deeply with that line.
Well, it's a beautiful moment that really stuck with me, so
thank you. The title Let us March on
suggests a sense of movement andprogress.
Also, it feels like a call to action.
How did you arrive at this titleand what does it mean to you in
(16:45):
the context? Of the book.
The title journey is a long one.I'll give you just a semi short
version. Originally had actually titled
the book Our New Day Begun, and I pulled that because in her
memoir, Lizzie takes a snippet of a poem by James Weldon
(17:08):
Johnson and it's pretty much what everyone considers or in
the black community, the Negro national anthem, lift every
voice and sing. And in her memoir, she titles
every chapter. And one of the chapters was Our
New Day Begun. And I thought, oh, that would
make a great title if you knew where the contracts came from.
(17:29):
But when we got further along inthe process, my editor came back
to me and told me that Sales didn't think the title would
work. And so they tasked me with
coming up with another title. And I wanted to stay true to
what she was trying to do. And that was incorporate that
poem into her story. And So what I did was I took a
look at the poem again. So in that segment that she
(17:52):
pulls the poem and she includes in her memoir, it's sing a song
full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.
Facing the rising sun of our newday begun, let us March on till
victory is won. And so I felt if I couldn't have
our new day begun in honor of her chapter on title, I wanted
(18:17):
it to be let us March on. And so that was the winning
title. And I think it very much fits
with not only the overall theme of the story, but what Lizzie
was trying to do. Yeah, really speaks.
You know it jumps off the shelf.How do you hope this book will
inspire readers to engage with social justice or environmental
(18:38):
activism in their own lives? I really hope that they see that
for the most part, things take time.
As you've mentioned, like in nature, a lot of things take
time. And there is even a line in
Hamilton that I love. Yeah.
It's like, what is Legacy? Legacy is planning to see that
we don't get to see grow. And so I just really hope that
(19:01):
people can recognize that changedoes take time.
Things don't happen overnight. It's not immediate, but it takes
one person, it takes a couple people to just spark that
change. And with one spark, we can
really make some changes. And so I hope they get inspired
by what she was trying to do. A woman that no one knew
(19:22):
anything about, but she used hersmall position to make great
strides. Yeah, that's.
So apparent and so, so powerful and lasting.
How are you feeling now that thebook has been released?
I'm just glad that it's available and people get to pick
it up and have an experience at least It kind of starts the
(19:45):
conversation about a lot of unsung women who have made
differences in our country and they don't get the limelight.
And so hopefully this is just the start of her getting
recognition and then hopefully others will pick it up and
there'll be more about her, there'll be more stories in
books or movies about her and her legacy.
(20:07):
Exactly. I mean, it's such an
accomplishment to synthesize such a big life into a work of
fiction. We're so thankful that you were
the one who were first to to bring her life into into the
open like this. Well, thank you so much, Shara,
for joining us today and for so beautifully honoring and
(20:27):
bringing Lizzie Mcduffie's inspiring story to life.
Through your documentation of her journey, we also get a
glimpse of your own artistry andstrength as well.
And we're so grateful for your work and can't wait to see
what's next for you and to read your next.
Book SO. Thank you very much.
Thank you. As we reflect on the
(20:54):
conversation with Shara, we're reminded that history is not
just something we study, it's something we carry.
The stories of Lizzie Mcduffie and FDR show us how resilience
can take root in unexpected places.
In a voice raised against injustice, in a seed planted
with hope, in a quiet moment beneath the trees, outstretched
(21:17):
limbs, Lizzie Mcduffie's story is a testament to a deep,
unwavering belief in human dignity, offering kindness,
courage, and. Strength even in the.
Face of injustice. Her life calls us to consider
what true leadership looks like.Not just power, but empathy.
(21:40):
Not just influence, but compassion.
May we carry forward Lizzie's legacy by demanding that same
humanity from those who lead us today.
Lizzie's legacy also reminds us that compassion can be a
powerful act of resistance and asource of renewal.
(22:00):
Just as she nurtured hope in difficult times, we too can find
ways to cultivate care in our communities.
Spring teaches us that even after the longest winters, the
earth remembers how to bloom. And that resilience isn't about
pushing through blindly. It's about reaching toward the
light again and again and again,even when it feels far away.
(22:24):
While Shara's novel, Let Us March On unfolds across various
locations, much of the story centers around Washington, DC.
And when we think of spring in DC, we think of the iconic
cherry blossoms, symbols of renewal and resilience that
return each year in full bloom. We invite you to pause with us,
(22:46):
to not just to listen, but to truly feel, to take a breath, to
reconnect with the quiet strength that lives within and
surrounds all of us. Find a comfortable seat or let
your feet touch the ground wherever you are as Dory
Robinson leads us in a guided meditation.
(23:08):
It is spring. Very, very late spring, yes, but
technically still spring until we hit the summer solstice, and
you cannot convince me otherwise.
Spring is when I return to the garden.
Outside, I turn over the soil inmy garden bed, while inside I
prepare and germinate the seeds I'll be planting once the
(23:31):
weather is warm enough. Consider the seed of the sakura,
the cherry blossom tree. Cherry blossoms are unique in
that they require a cold period,a process which breaks down the
seed code so that eventually, when the conditions are just
right, the seed can open and germinate.
(23:52):
And yet this is not the end of the process for a cherry blossom
tree to grow from. Seed can take anywhere from 4 to
10 years to mature. After all this, the blossoms
open for only a handful of days each year, blooming in the
hundreds. They gently unfold their
delicately colored pink and white blossoms.
(24:15):
Then, shortly after, they detachfrom their stems and billow out
into the wind. So much work for a brief yet
extraordinary existence. The seed had to endure the cold,
break open and grow for years through rain, snow, heat and
(24:35):
wind, all to be able to shine inits fullest radiance.
It is a journey measured in tiny, patient, enduring steps.
And yet, it is all worth it. Cherry blossoms blooming from DC
to Brooklyn to Japan not only bring about great beauty, but
(24:58):
they also remind us of the tenacity it takes to fully come
to life. Consider with me, what seeds,
literal or figurative, are you planting in your own life?
What is needed in order to fullygerminate each of these precious
and resilient seeds? How many steps are needed to
(25:21):
bring about 1 sweet idea, project, relationship, or
journey to life in its fullest, most radiant way?
Take a moment to come to stillness.
Perhaps you may want to close your eyes or look out at
(25:43):
something beautiful, a tree, a plant, a picture.
However you can arrive, arrive. Let's take in a deep breath
together and let it out again, In and out.
(26:07):
And as you inhale and exhale, start to call to mind one
special seed in your life. What is something you are just
beginning, or perhaps something that is already in progress,
that requires multiple steps andresilience and yet may bring
about beauty and joy? Picture this now, first in its
(26:31):
smallest stage, the seed of an idea.
Perhaps with a few more breaths.Can you bring a warmth to the
part of you that began this journey, that created this idea?
(26:51):
It's a very special thing to bring something into the world,
big or small. Now imagine the steps it will
take to develop this seedling. Perhaps you may want to
acknowledge the many steps it has taken so far to have grown
(27:13):
to this point. Can you send yourself gratitude
for all that you've done so far,perhaps recognizing the inner
strength it takes to move? Forward.
Have others been helpful during this journey?
(27:34):
Perhaps you can hold gratitude for them as well.
Finally, can you envision the fully grown version of your
work? What shape that might take?
How will it feel in your body tosee this dream fully realized?
(27:58):
Where does that feeling live in your body?
How can you honor that? Picturing it now, How does it
feel, taste, smell? What does it look like?
How does it sound? With another deep breath, take
it all in with as much detail asyou can conjure.
(28:32):
Perhaps put your hands to your heart to hold this detailed
vision with you, or find anotherplace in your body where this
inspiration can live. Now start to come back to the
room around you, first by wiggling your toes, then
(28:57):
bringing awareness to your legs,your torso, your shoulders, your
arms, and finally your head. With one more deep breath in
before opening your eyes, picture the seed one more time
(29:21):
in all its challenges, steps, and beauty.
And as you open your eyes and move about your day, I wish you
luck and light as you and your seed continue to grow together.
(29:54):
Thank you, Dory, as we step backinto the rhythm of our daily
lives, may we carry with us the stories of those who came
before, like Lizzie Mcduffie, whose courage reminds us that
change is the seed that takes root when we choose to stand, to
speak, and to keep marching forward.
(30:20):
Until next time, take care of yourself, care for one another,
and when in doubt, look to the trees.
A heartfelt thank you also to Shara Moon for joining us.
Copies of her novel, Let Us March On are available wherever
books are sold. To learn more about today's
(30:40):
episode, explore, show notes, orsupport our work, visit
treespeechpodcast.com or follow us on Instagram at Tree Speech
Podcast. Thank you for joining Tree
Speech today.
Welcome to Tree Speech, where weexamine the ways trees shape our
stories and how our stories, in turn, shape the world around us.
I'm Jonathan Zoutner, and in this episode, we step into
history's shadowed Grove and walk alongside voices that
continue to echo across generations.
(00:34):
Today, we're joined by author Shara Moon, whose new book, Let
Us March On, brings to light thelife of civil rights leader
Lizzie Mcduffie, a powerful yet often overlooked figure in
American history. And after our conversation, we
invite you to stay with us for aspecial guided meditation with
Dory Robinson, designed to help us reflect on Lizzie's legacy
(00:59):
and connect more deeply with thecompassion and resilience of the
season. In her new novel, Let Us March
On, Shara Moon uses meticulous research and vivid storytelling
to trace Lizzie Mcduffie's influence on movements for
justice as she explores the influence she had as a champion
(01:20):
for the rights of everyday Americans over President
Franklin D Roosevelt throughout her time working for him as a
maid in the White House. While FDR is widely known for
leading the nation through the Great Depression and World War
2, less often discussed is his deep personal connection to the
(01:41):
natural world. Including the.
Trees and animals at his Hyde Park and Warm Springs estates,
which he considered sources of solace and strength.
While FDR served longer than anyother president in U.S. history,
the job title that gave him the most satisfaction was that of
(02:03):
the 30-4 years. He also considered himself a
tree farmer even while serving as president.
He went so far as to record treefarmer as his occupation when he
voted. In her novel, Moon draws A
compelling parallel between Roosevelt's environmental ethos
(02:23):
and Mcduffie's grounded activism, showing how both
leaders, in different ways drew power from the land beneath
their feet. In this episode, we'll talk with
Shara about how she unearthed the true stories that shaped her
novel, including what Lizzie Mcduffie's legacy teaches us
about justice and memory, and how both Mcduffie and Roosevelt
(02:48):
drew from the quiet wisdom of trees as they faced the storms
of their time, and what these historical threads reveal about
our present moment. So settle in beneath the canopy
of history and hope, and let's listen to a conversation with
Shara Moon and her novel. Let us March on.
(03:16):
Hello Shara, welcome to Tree Speech.
Hi. I'm Jonathan.
Thanks for having me. You're welcome.
It's our pleasure. So our conversation today is
truly embracing the speech part of Tree speech as we're going to
explore who gets the opportunityto speak, how their voices are
amplified and the way their stories resonate across time.
(03:39):
And of course, we'll talk about.Trees too.
To start, could you share a bit about yourself and what inspired
you to write your new novel? Let us March on.
Yes, of course. I've always loved history, and
it's been a passion of mine. So to be able to actually
incorporate history into my writing and fictionalize it so
(04:00):
that I get a little bit more creative freedom is a dream.
But what inspired me to this particular story was when an
author friend of mine shared with me an article about Lizzie
Mcduffie. And the more I read about her,
the more fascinated I became when I found out that she had an
unpublished memoir, that she hadlived this great life with the
(04:20):
Roosevelts and had done so much that I felt like our story needs
to be told and a lot of people needs to know who she was and
what contribution she made to our country.
Exactly. She was so important and and
without you, who knows if the story would be told.
So I read that you were researching another project and
(04:41):
then you found out about her. And could you tell us how that
all came to be? Yes.
And so I was in the middle of writing another story, really
unrelated, but in that story, myprotagonist was running into an
issue where she needed to get the president involved.
And she was hoping that if she got an audience with the
president or the first lady, that maybe she can convince them
(05:03):
to help her in her situation. But, you know, there's always
levels to things. And she knew she couldn't just
show up at the White House and expect to meet the president.
So I needed a realistic entry point.
And when I was telling my friendKaya Alderson about my dilemma,
that's when she shared the article with me about Lizzie
Mcduffie. And I was like, oh, she's
perfect. She's exactly who my protagonist
(05:26):
needed. Because I found out that she was
very much involved with becomingthat bridge between the African
American community and the president.
But the more that I've researched her and found out
that, wow, she did more than just share stories with the
president, she campaign she advocated, she did so much that
even he respected her opinions enough to enact some of these
(05:49):
changes. And that's when I was like, OK,
I need to get a hold of her unpublished memoir.
And I did, of course, I'm writing historical fiction, so I
can't say it's a biography by any means.
But still, a lot of the fiction comes from the people she met.
The things that happened are very much true.
Did you do a lot of other research beyond the memoir?
(06:13):
What other things were you able to draw upon to weave within
this historical fiction novel? So I definitely did a deep dive
at the Archive Library in Atlanta that has her collection.
In the memoir. I was able to go through a lot
of personal letters. Her autograph book that she
talks about in her memoir. And I also mentioned in the
(06:34):
book, there is correspondence that I got to read.
There was pictures I got to lookat.
I also visited Warm Springs and got a real good behind the
scenes of not only FDR but also the close personal staff that he
brought with him to Warm Springswhen he visited, which they
called at the time, the Little White House, because he was
(06:55):
there, he spent a lot of his free time there.
You can really tell in reading your book how important she was
to the president and to his, to his wife, to Eleanor Roosevelt
and, and the whole staff and what an impact she had within
his presidency and within his personal opinions and beliefs,
which led to the work that he did and his three going on into
(07:17):
a fourth term, which is amazing to think about.
And I'm glad we don't have 4 terms today.
And that was a tumultuous time because of everything that was
happening in history. The book explores deep themes of
resilience, justice and collective action.
I'm wondering what are some of the key messages you hope
readers take away from reading about these experiences?
(07:41):
Resilience is definitely the onethat's jumps at the top of my
mind, especially in the times that we are in now.
There has always been something to fight for and struggle for,
and the fight never stops. And you have to kind of push
through. You have to hold out hope and
hold on to your resilience. That change will come and the
(08:01):
work that we're doing isn't for nothing.
Everyone thinks the civil rightsmovement really like kind of
spearheaded in the 60s, but it was happening years before then.
And I hope just that knowledge that this was happening in the
1800s and then in the early 1900s.
And then when we get to Lizzie'sstory and they're still fighting
(08:22):
for civil rights, human rights and social justice.
That was in 1930. The story kicked off 1933.
We're in 2025 and we're still pretty much fighting for a lot
of the same things. It's fighting to hold on to a
lot of some of these things and hope, resilience and the fact
that there are people out there that are striving to be on the
(08:45):
right side of history and we just kind of have to be hopeful
that good things will come and continue to come.
Leads me to nature so your book beautifully explores the
connection between humanity and nature, both thematically and in
vivid moments some of my favorite passages involve
(09:06):
lizzie's visits to Hyde Park with FDR Forrest and
rejuvenation I've been to Hyde Park in upstate it's.
Gorgeous. I love.
It that was the one place I had wanted to go.
I could never make it out there during my research, but I
definitely wanted to make a stopover at Hyde Park I.
Highly recommend. And if you're in the area or you
know, it's just, you can just feel the peace, you can feel the
(09:28):
groundedness and the the way nature sort of speaks to you,
the energy, it's really beautiful.
Then contrasting that, one of the most striking tensions in
the novel for me was FDR's reluctance to push for anti
lynching legislation due to the political climate of that
particular time. I'm wondering as I think about
(09:49):
Hyde Park and this time of year,spring, I wonder did the natural
rhythms of change? You know, it sort of happens
over time, how nature moves at its own pace and transitions
over time. Did that influence your writing
and the broader message of let us March on?
Is there something about being close to nature and having
patience but really wanting to push things forward but having
(10:11):
to relax? What does that mean to you?
Yeah. It was definitely a conscious
effort to put those moments in there.
I like the words that you use, Hyde Park being equated to rest
and rejuvenation because a lot of the times that's what it was.
Hyde Park and Warm Springs for the president.
And in those moments when they could get away from the White
(10:34):
House and a lot of the politicalenvironment, there is that scene
with them talking about the birdand how FDR really did have a
great love for birds and he was a bird nerd.
And it was a great way for me tointroduce that because for me,
(10:55):
birds symbolize freedom. And I wanted to make sure I
pulled that in so that I could show, like, in the grand scheme
of the story, we're all fightingfor freedom, our own freedoms
and whatever that means. Because even with being in
politics, you kind of get lockedin and lack of a better words,
(11:16):
like chained around certain things.
And so for me, it was like showing that FDR was still kind
of chained into like he was restrained and a lot of what he
couldn't, couldn't do or what hefelt he couldn't, couldn't do.
He didn't want to commit political suicide by supporting
something he felt would really destroy his chances at a re
(11:38):
election. And so just kind of showing that
he wanted all the things for everyone.
In his own words, he felt like he was fighting for the American
people, not just for African Americans or Asian Americans or,
you know, Latino Americans. His whole message was I'm
fighting for all Americans. But in that he also knew that
(11:59):
there's a game to be played, andthat keeps you restrained in a
lot of. Ways right and?
Like I said, it built conflict, you know, within, within the arc
of the novel as well. I do want to mention that
Lizzie's husband also worked forthe president ervin and both of
them lived a really full and vibrant and interesting life.
(12:22):
I read that writing this novel took a long time for you.
I'm wondering, did you find any personal healing or growth or
insights yourself in the processof writing this book?
I think so. I think it was.
I always tell people the labor of love because I had just
gotten married when I even pitched this story.
(12:44):
And then through the journey of writing and editing it, I had
three children and it kind of changed my perspective too, and
made me realize not only did Lizzie, like, you know, love
children, but she was a very good caretaker, I think with
everyone around her. And I think for the most part, I
(13:05):
always felt like I was a good caregiver.
But it definitely changed my perspective when I became a mom
on what it really means to give yourself to someone else and
have to devote your time and putyourself last.
And in a lot of ways, I felt connected a lot with Lizzie
because she did put herself second in a lot of ways.
(13:27):
And, you know, just moving to the White House, She doesn't
really elaborate that on her in her memoir.
But I can imagine that she didn't want to leave a family
she had been working for for over 2 decades, you know, to go
to an unknown territory and kindof restart her life again.
But she did that so she could bewith her husband.
(13:48):
And then when she gets to the White House, it was again
putting herself second so that she can take care of the
president, take care of the White House and keep the machine
running. That's really interesting.
We talked about the pace of nature, and everything sort of
has its own timing, and maybe that's part of this book as
well, as you had to have a certain experience to get into
(14:10):
the imagination to really createthis historical narrative.
Yeah. And I think yeah, it helped me
plant myself in her shoes, something I don't really share a
lot. But I had originally started the
story in third person cuz that'show I'm just used to writing and
I just didn't feel authentic andwrite for me.
(14:31):
And so I talked to my editor about it.
And so I switched the narrative to first person POV and it then
started to feel like not my story anymore or something I was
forcing. It really felt like she was
telling her story. It's sort of like a alchemy or
something, She takes her voice, comes through.
Yeah. Not to have a spoiler, but FDR
(14:54):
does die well in his fourth termwhile in office, and that had a
profound impact on Lizzie so shortly after his death, which
happened at Warm Spring. She was on a train back to DC
and she gazes out the window andreflects saying.
I stared out the train window and saw a lonely pine tree
(15:15):
towering above the rest of the forest.
It loomed in the distance with such distinguished power and
solitary splendor, much like theman we were bringing back home.
That's such a striking and poetic image.
Where did the inspiration for this tree metaphor come from for
you? It came from her.
Is she actually that was from her memoir and it's actually the
(15:38):
opening chapter. And it definitely hit me hard.
I was just like, wow, how beautifully told.
She opens her memoir with them leaving Warm Springs and her
talking about him on passing. And that metaphor was so
powerful for me that I was like,I have to make sure this ends up
in the book because it was not only poetic, but it was very
(16:02):
much, I think, the sentiment that a lot of people felt about
FDR. And when she talks about people
coming from all races and statuses and classes coming to
mourn this man who took a country that was in the brink of
destruction and revived it and pretty much gave his life in the
(16:24):
process, I, I definitely resonated deeply with that line.
Well, it's a beautiful moment that really stuck with me, so
thank you. The title Let us March on
suggests a sense of movement andprogress.
Also, it feels like a call to action.
How did you arrive at this titleand what does it mean to you in
(16:45):
the context? Of the book.
The title journey is a long one.I'll give you just a semi short
version. Originally had actually titled
the book Our New Day Begun, and I pulled that because in her
memoir, Lizzie takes a snippet of a poem by James Weldon
(17:08):
Johnson and it's pretty much what everyone considers or in
the black community, the Negro national anthem, lift every
voice and sing. And in her memoir, she titles
every chapter. And one of the chapters was Our
New Day Begun. And I thought, oh, that would
make a great title if you knew where the contracts came from.
(17:29):
But when we got further along inthe process, my editor came back
to me and told me that Sales didn't think the title would
work. And so they tasked me with
coming up with another title. And I wanted to stay true to
what she was trying to do. And that was incorporate that
poem into her story. And So what I did was I took a
look at the poem again. So in that segment that she
(17:52):
pulls the poem and she includes in her memoir, it's sing a song
full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.
Facing the rising sun of our newday begun, let us March on till
victory is won. And so I felt if I couldn't have
our new day begun in honor of her chapter on title, I wanted
(18:17):
it to be let us March on. And so that was the winning
title. And I think it very much fits
with not only the overall theme of the story, but what Lizzie
was trying to do. Yeah, really speaks.
You know it jumps off the shelf.How do you hope this book will
inspire readers to engage with social justice or environmental
(18:38):
activism in their own lives? I really hope that they see that
for the most part, things take time.
As you've mentioned, like in nature, a lot of things take
time. And there is even a line in
Hamilton that I love. Yeah.
It's like, what is Legacy? Legacy is planning to see that
we don't get to see grow. And so I just really hope that
(19:01):
people can recognize that changedoes take time.
Things don't happen overnight. It's not immediate, but it takes
one person, it takes a couple people to just spark that
change. And with one spark, we can
really make some changes. And so I hope they get inspired
by what she was trying to do. A woman that no one knew
(19:22):
anything about, but she used hersmall position to make great
strides. Yeah, that's.
So apparent and so, so powerful and lasting.
How are you feeling now that thebook has been released?
I'm just glad that it's available and people get to pick
it up and have an experience at least It kind of starts the
(19:45):
conversation about a lot of unsung women who have made
differences in our country and they don't get the limelight.
And so hopefully this is just the start of her getting
recognition and then hopefully others will pick it up and
there'll be more about her, there'll be more stories in
books or movies about her and her legacy.
(20:07):
Exactly. I mean, it's such an
accomplishment to synthesize such a big life into a work of
fiction. We're so thankful that you were
the one who were first to to bring her life into into the
open like this. Well, thank you so much, Shara,
for joining us today and for so beautifully honoring and
(20:27):
bringing Lizzie Mcduffie's inspiring story to life.
Through your documentation of her journey, we also get a
glimpse of your own artistry andstrength as well.
And we're so grateful for your work and can't wait to see
what's next for you and to read your next.
Book SO. Thank you very much.
Thank you. As we reflect on the
(20:54):
conversation with Shara, we're reminded that history is not
just something we study, it's something we carry.
The stories of Lizzie Mcduffie and FDR show us how resilience
can take root in unexpected places.
In a voice raised against injustice, in a seed planted
with hope, in a quiet moment beneath the trees, outstretched
(21:17):
limbs, Lizzie Mcduffie's story is a testament to a deep,
unwavering belief in human dignity, offering kindness,
courage, and. Strength even in the.
Face of injustice. Her life calls us to consider
what true leadership looks like.Not just power, but empathy.
(21:40):
Not just influence, but compassion.
May we carry forward Lizzie's legacy by demanding that same
humanity from those who lead us today.
Lizzie's legacy also reminds us that compassion can be a
powerful act of resistance and asource of renewal.
(22:00):
Just as she nurtured hope in difficult times, we too can find
ways to cultivate care in our communities.
Spring teaches us that even after the longest winters, the
earth remembers how to bloom. And that resilience isn't about
pushing through blindly. It's about reaching toward the
light again and again and again,even when it feels far away.
(22:24):
While Shara's novel, Let Us March On unfolds across various
locations, much of the story centers around Washington, DC.
And when we think of spring in DC, we think of the iconic
cherry blossoms, symbols of renewal and resilience that
return each year in full bloom. We invite you to pause with us,
(22:46):
to not just to listen, but to truly feel, to take a breath, to
reconnect with the quiet strength that lives within and
surrounds all of us. Find a comfortable seat or let
your feet touch the ground wherever you are as Dory
Robinson leads us in a guided meditation.
(23:08):
It is spring. Very, very late spring, yes, but
technically still spring until we hit the summer solstice, and
you cannot convince me otherwise.
Spring is when I return to the garden.
Outside, I turn over the soil inmy garden bed, while inside I
prepare and germinate the seeds I'll be planting once the
(23:31):
weather is warm enough. Consider the seed of the sakura,
the cherry blossom tree. Cherry blossoms are unique in
that they require a cold period,a process which breaks down the
seed code so that eventually, when the conditions are just
right, the seed can open and germinate.
(23:52):
And yet this is not the end of the process for a cherry blossom
tree to grow from. Seed can take anywhere from 4 to
10 years to mature. After all this, the blossoms
open for only a handful of days each year, blooming in the
hundreds. They gently unfold their
delicately colored pink and white blossoms.
(24:15):
Then, shortly after, they detachfrom their stems and billow out
into the wind. So much work for a brief yet
extraordinary existence. The seed had to endure the cold,
break open and grow for years through rain, snow, heat and
(24:35):
wind, all to be able to shine inits fullest radiance.
It is a journey measured in tiny, patient, enduring steps.
And yet, it is all worth it. Cherry blossoms blooming from DC
to Brooklyn to Japan not only bring about great beauty, but
(24:58):
they also remind us of the tenacity it takes to fully come
to life. Consider with me, what seeds,
literal or figurative, are you planting in your own life?
What is needed in order to fullygerminate each of these precious
and resilient seeds? How many steps are needed to
(25:21):
bring about 1 sweet idea, project, relationship, or
journey to life in its fullest, most radiant way?
Take a moment to come to stillness.
Perhaps you may want to close your eyes or look out at
(25:43):
something beautiful, a tree, a plant, a picture.
However you can arrive, arrive. Let's take in a deep breath
together and let it out again, In and out.
(26:07):
And as you inhale and exhale, start to call to mind one
special seed in your life. What is something you are just
beginning, or perhaps something that is already in progress,
that requires multiple steps andresilience and yet may bring
about beauty and joy? Picture this now, first in its
(26:31):
smallest stage, the seed of an idea.
Perhaps with a few more breaths.Can you bring a warmth to the
part of you that began this journey, that created this idea?
(26:51):
It's a very special thing to bring something into the world,
big or small. Now imagine the steps it will
take to develop this seedling. Perhaps you may want to
acknowledge the many steps it has taken so far to have grown
(27:13):
to this point. Can you send yourself gratitude
for all that you've done so far,perhaps recognizing the inner
strength it takes to move? Forward.
Have others been helpful during this journey?
(27:34):
Perhaps you can hold gratitude for them as well.
Finally, can you envision the fully grown version of your
work? What shape that might take?
How will it feel in your body tosee this dream fully realized?
(27:58):
Where does that feeling live in your body?
How can you honor that? Picturing it now, How does it
feel, taste, smell? What does it look like?
How does it sound? With another deep breath, take
it all in with as much detail asyou can conjure.
(28:32):
Perhaps put your hands to your heart to hold this detailed
vision with you, or find anotherplace in your body where this
inspiration can live. Now start to come back to the
room around you, first by wiggling your toes, then
(28:57):
bringing awareness to your legs,your torso, your shoulders, your
arms, and finally your head. With one more deep breath in
before opening your eyes, picture the seed one more time
(29:21):
in all its challenges, steps, and beauty.
And as you open your eyes and move about your day, I wish you
luck and light as you and your seed continue to grow together.
(29:54):
Thank you, Dory, as we step backinto the rhythm of our daily
lives, may we carry with us the stories of those who came
before, like Lizzie Mcduffie, whose courage reminds us that
change is the seed that takes root when we choose to stand, to
speak, and to keep marching forward.
(30:20):
Until next time, take care of yourself, care for one another,
and when in doubt, look to the trees.
A heartfelt thank you also to Shara Moon for joining us.
Copies of her novel, Let Us March On are available wherever
books are sold. To learn more about today's
(30:40):
episode, explore, show notes, orsupport our work, visit
treespeechpodcast.com or follow us on Instagram at Tree Speech
Podcast. Thank you for joining Tree
Speech today.
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