Mrs. B. Speaks Her Mind: Marie Bauernschmidt, Baltimore's Political Gadfly

By Cynthia H. Requardt

This is a study of Marie Bauernschmidt's role in Baltimore politics between 1920 and 1950. At the height of her career, Marie Bauernschmidt was a public figure who could strike fear in politicians while demanding wrongs be righted to her satisfaction. A political gadfly in the truest sense of the word, Bauernschmidt would announce what she saw as a wrong and expect public backing to have it put right. She served as Executive Secretary of the Public School Association and used this as a platform for her foray into civic life. Beginning with the mission to improve Baltimore public schools, Bauernschmidt moved on to cleaning up the city's politics.Marie Bauernschmidt was a master at public promotion. She was not always on the winning side of a political battle, but she had a role in framing the issues discussed. She gave talks to civic groups, she testified before the School Board, and she bought time on local radio stations to "speak her mind." The Baltimore press was a willing participant in her public life. Her colorful language and brash tactics were good copy. Baltimore's leading papers, the News-Post, Sun, Evening Sun and Afro-American each covered her every move, from lecturing appearances before City Council to testifying in Annapolis, to her signature election eve broadcasts. Sun cartoonist Richard Q. Yardley did much to promote Marie Bauernschmidt featuring her in over 90 cartoons.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1508857555
• ISBN13: 9781508857556
• Release Date: June 2015
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.7" x 6.0"