Goldie (Golda) was born on May 3, 1898 in Kiev, Russia.  She and her family immigrated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1906.  Her father worked as a carpenter and her mother ran a grocery store.  Goldie attended the Fourth Street School across from the Schlitz Brewing Complex. This is the setting for Barbara Krasner’s book “Goldie Takes a Stand! Golda Meir’s First Crusade.”

Goldie at the age of nine took it upon herself to organize her friends to raise money to buy text books for her immigrant classmates who could not afford them.   She formed the American Young Sister Society and appointed herself president.  When her friends asked how much money they needed to raise, Goldie determined they needed to each raise 3 cents a week.  A tough goal when a loath of bread and a quart of milk cost 3 cents each.

The members American Young Sister Society did their best.  Goldie and her sister even gave up candy.  But they couldn’t raise enough money.  So Goldie determined they needed to think bigger.  They held a public meeting and raised so much money the American Young Sister’s Society was out of business.  That was okay.   Goldie was thinking about another cause.

Becomes First Woman Prime Minister of Israel

Goldie later attended a teacher’s college, and taught in Milwaukee public schools.  In 1917, she married Morris Meyerson and in 1921 they moved to Palestine to help claim it as the Jewish homeland.  At that time, she chose a new last name for herself – Meir- a Hebrew word meaning “Illumination.”  The couple lived in a kibbutz (collective community) until 1924 when they settled in Jerusalem.  From the 1940’s through the 60s, Goldie worked for the Israeli government in various roles including as its minister to Moscow. In 1969, she was elected the first woman Prime Minister of Israel.

Author

Barbara Krasner likes writing history – particularly Jewish-themed history.  She tells the story of Goldie’s first crusade with charming simplicity.  The narrative is based on a true story but Krasner created the dialogue. Krasner also publishes a popular blog, The Whole Megillah:  The Writer’s Resource for Jewish-Themed Story and runs workshops and conferences for Jewish writers at Highlights Foundation and in conjunction with the Association of Jewish libraries.

Illustrator

Kelsey Garrity-Riley illustrations deftly set the stage for Goldie’s story with subdued colors and delightful doll like images.   Kelsey grew up in Europe and now lives in Savannah, Georgia.  She shares her home studio with her illustrator husband Erik Riley.