front cover of Dr. Kate
Dr. Kate
Angel on Snowshoes
Rebecca Wojahn
Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2009

Pioneering North Woods doctor Kate Pelham Newcomb comes to life in this addition to the Badger Biographies series for young readers. Born in 1885, Kate Pelham was suppose to grow up to be a proper young lady in Boston, but despite her father's wishes she was determined to be a doctor. After medical school, her husband's health brought them to the clean air of northern Wisconsin and before long Kate knew every back road and cabin in the North Woods. She visited patients by snowmobile, by canoe, and by snowshoe and never sent a bill. Instead she was paid in firewood and vegtables.

But what Kate dreamed of more than anything for her patients was a hospital. And that's when the kids of the community got involved. They set out to collect a million pennies - $10,000 - to help Dr. Kate build a hospital. As the news spread, coins poured in from countries across the globe. Students carted bushels of pennies, and Dr. Kate read thousands of letters cheering on her effort. Her dream came true in 1954 when the Lakeland Memorial Hospital opened its doors. Young readers will warm to Kate's spirit of compassion and never-say-never attitude.

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front cover of From Snowshoes to Wingtips
From Snowshoes to Wingtips
The Life of Patrick O'Neill
Patrick H. O'Neill
University of Alaska Press, 2007
Patrick O'Neill grew up in Alaska in the 1920s and 1930s. He lied about his age to get his first job in mining and later became president of International Mining Corporation. He served in the Army Air Corps in World War II and operated mining companies in South America. There he saw the challenges faced by the local workers, and he provided schools for their children and improved wages and medical care.

O'Neill shares his story in this homespun tale full of anecdotes about mining and life in Alaska.

Published by the University of Alaska Foundation; distributed by the University of Alaska Press.
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