Edie for Equality: Edie Windsor Stands Up for Love

by Michael Genhart, Cheryl Thuesday (Illustrator)

Overview

This is a story about a great injustice and how Edie Windsor boldly stood up for what was right and went up against the highest court in the United States.

Growing up in the 1930s, Edie Windsor hadn't always been bold. In fact, she was someone who played by the rules and loved math. Numbers added up right every time and equal meant equal. But when the US government refused to acknowledge the loving relationship of over forty years between her and her spouse Thea Spyer, Edie made a bold move and sued the US government!

In this comprehensive picture book biography, acclaimed author Michael Genhart shares the story of LGBTQ icon Edie Windsor and the pivotal case that set the stage to take down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). In United States v. Windsor, Edie's tenacious spirit proved to the Supreme Court and the world that love is love and equal means equal.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781643795829
Publisher:	Lee & Low Books
Publication date:	05/20/2025
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.50(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	7 - 13 Years

About the Author

Michael Genhart, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and author of several picture books including: I See You, Love Is Love, Rainbow: A First Book of Pride, and Spanish Is the Language of My Family. After being together for 22 years, Michael married the love of his life in 2008—when they could legally marry. He is thrilled to share Edie's and Thea's story about love, commitment, and courage with readers of all ages. You can learn more about him at michaelgenhart.com.

Cheryl "Ras" Thuesday is an illustrator originally from London and who grew up in New Jersey. Her art style and love of vibrant colors are heavily influenced by her Caribbean and Asian heritage. Her book publications include Kind Like Marsha: Learning from LGBTQ+ Leaders and Willis Watson Is a Wannabe. Ras lives in the tristate area. You can see more of her work at rasillustration.com.

Editorial Reviews

"A loving tribute to a woman who stood up for love. . . . We owe a great deal to Edie for her courage and determination, and we owe a great deal to Michael Genhart and Cheryl Thuesday for bringing her story to life. This is an important and inspiring book." — Lesléa Newman, author of Heather Has Two Mommies and Sparkle Boy

"I can hardly imagine how different my childhood might have been had I been able to read a book about Edie Windsor. . . . Kudos to Genhart and Thuesday for recognizing how important it is to introduce children to a true American hero." — Robbie Kaplan, lawyer

"The power of one person to help many by fighting an unfair system is the theme of this biography of Edie Windsor, whose fight for fairness ultimately led to the Supreme Court allowing gay marriage. . . . Relatable and inspiring." — Booklist

"The importance of Edie's story is conveyed effectively. . . . A solid picture-book biography of an unforgettable hero for queer rights activism." — Kirkus Reviews

"Windsor's story is admirably simplified for a picture-book audience, highlighting the love she shared with Thea Spyer and explaining that Windsor stood up against an unfair law after Spyer's death. Appropriately rainbow-hued illustrations showcase Windsor's determination and her ultimate triumph." — The Horn Book

"A solid biography and an important addition to law and LGBTQIA+ collections." — School Library Journal

From the Publisher

2025-02-01
Edie Windsor stands up for LGBTQ rights.

A young Edie is attracted to women, but only upon moving to New York in 1951 is she able to be her authentic self. Though Edie and Thea fall in love and get engaged, they know their marriage would be illegal. Edie and Thea are white and Jewish and have both faced unfairness based on their religion and sexuality, which fuels their activism. Decades later, Edie and Thea go to Canada to get married legally. When Thea passes away, Edie is left with a broken heart and a large inheritance bill—spouses can legally inherit property without paying taxes, but the U.S. government never recognized Edie and Thea’s marriage. Edie sues the U.S. government, hoping to defeat the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman. Her case reaches the Supreme Court, which, in 2013, determines that DOMA is unconstitutional after all. The story breezes past Edie’s childhood, focusing on her relationship with Thea and the Supreme Court case. Despite some pacing issues, the importance of Edie’s story is conveyed effectively. Expository blocks of text feel at odds with colorful pop art illustrations that might appeal to a younger set. Detailed backmatter offers context and interest, some of which may have benefited from inclusion in the story.

Not without its flaws, but a solid picture-book biography of an unforgettable hero for queer rights activism. (timeline, additional information and historical context, author’s note, selected bibliography)(Picture-book biography. 9-11)

Kirkus Reviews