6: The Pack Horse Librarians

In the depths of the Great Depression, a group of fearless women rode on horseback across the rugged Appalachian Mountains, delivering books to families who had never owned one before. Among them was Rose Farmer Thomas, a dedicated librarian who braved treacherous terrain and deep-seated resistance to bring literacy and hope to isolated communities.In this episode of Ripples of Rebels, we uncover the story of the Pack Horse Library program, a WPA initiative that transformed education in rural America. We’ll explore how these librarians fought for access to knowledge, the challenges they faced, and the lasting impact of their work.Join us as we ride through history and discover how one woman’s quiet rebellion helped shape the future of literacy in America.Find Oregon Summer Star’s website here. Fundraiser is April 26th, 2025, Troutdale Food Station, 5-8 P.M.. You can also give monetary donations here. Follow their socials here!Learn more about protests near you, & the 50501 Movement here!Citations“Horseback Librarians of Kentucky.” American Experience, PBS, 19 Dec. 2017, https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/horseback-librarians-kentucky/.Henson, Heather. That Book Woman. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2008.Lush, Paige. “Delivering Books on Horseback: The Pack Horse Library Project.” Library of Congress Blogs, 23 Apr. 2020, https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2020/04/delivering-books-on-horseback/.Smith, Kathi Appelt. Down Cut Shin Creek: The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky. HarperCollins, 2001.Vincent, Beverly M. “Packhorse Librarians in Appalachia.” Kentucky Libraries, vol. 70, no. 3, 2006, pp. 2–6. Get full access to Ripples of Rebels at delaneyxclara.substack.com/subscribe