Miss Lulu Bett: The Importance of Poetry and Good Digestion for Life Preparation

Zona Gale, a renowned American author, was born on August 26, 1874, in Portage, Wisconsin. She received her education at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and later earned a Bachelor of Literature degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1895, followed by a master's degree four years later.

After completing her studies, Gale embarked on a career as a newspaper writer, working in both Milwaukee and New York for several years. It was a pivotal visit back to her hometown in 1903 that proved to be a turning point in her writing journey, as she discovered that her "old world was full of new possibilities."

Inspired by this realization, Gale returned to Portage in 1904 and dedicated herself fully to fiction writing. Her first published work, "Romance Island," appeared in 1906, marking the beginning of her acclaimed "Friendship Village" series.

In 1920, Gale achieved critical acclaim with the publication of her novel "Miss Lulu Bett," a brilliant portrayal of life in the Midwestern United States. She further expanded the work by adapting it into a play, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1921.

Gale's literary success was accompanied by her active involvement in progressive causes. She was a member of the National Women's Party and was instrumental in lobbying for the 1921 Wisconsin Equal Rights Law. Her advocacy for women's rights was deeply rooted in her novels, which often explored the frustration of women with their lack of opportunities.

In 1928, at the age of fifty-four, Gale married William L. Breese, also a resident of Portage. Tragically, Zona Gale passed away from pneumonia in a Chicago hospital on December 27, 1938, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a celebrated author and influential advocate for social change.

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