Social progress is not automatic. Change does not occur unless somebody of
vision, courage, and determination makes it happen. Nearly every progressive
movement in American history can be traced back to a person who said
“This must change” and then set out to change it. This travel guide celebrates
those individuals, their accomplishments, and the movements and communities
they inspired.
Most of the people in this book have had a profound impact on the way
you live your life today. Be glad they did. Over the past several years it has, at
times, been diffi cult to be hopeful about the direction of this nation. Yet, as
the stories in this book demonstrate, progressives have faced far greater challenges
and have emerged victorious, despite setbacks. Segregation? Women’s
suffrage? Slavery?
Read and take heart—progressives will win in the end. They always do.
Susan B. Anthony understood this, for though she would die 14 years before
women were guaranteed the right to vote under the constitution, the fi nal
three words she ever uttered in public were “Failure is impossible.” Anthony
had faith that others would pick up the mantle and move forward, and they
did.
When I think about Anthony’s proclamation, I believe she was expressing
a faith in progressivism itself. The people profi led in this book held and
hold a variety of personal and political beliefs, and would likely disagree on a
great many issues. But what they would agree on is that injustices need to be resolved. To be liberal is to hold a
position, the same way being conservative
is. But to be progressive means
you are actively working at moving
society from what it is to what
it should be: a just, peaceful society
that respects all of its citizens.
A Note on Selection
I have cast a fairly wide net in selecting the histories in this book. I have tried
to include as many movements from as many aspects of American society
as possible. Yet for every progressive found here, there are dozens more that
could not fi t on these pages. Explore
the museums, books, and online
resources discussed in this guide
and you will fi nd a progressive history
that runs far deeper than any
one book can summarize.
Jerome Pohlen (Author)
Jerome Pohlen is the author of the Oddball series and a regular travel commentator for 848 on WBEZ, the Chicago affiliate of National Public Radio. He is a recent recipient of the Illinois Associated Press Broadcasters Award for Best Essay. He lives in Chicago.