Joseph J. Swope
Newest Release:
Sharpened Blade: The Story of Dinah Clark
Born an indentured servant and held in slavery for the first 21 years of her life, Dinah Clark ultimately earned her freedom, married, had children, and mastered the arduous work of a sawyer. Her outgoing nature and skill as a woodcutter made her one of the most famous African American women in Reading, Pennsylvania in the 19th Century.
Along the way, Dinah and her husband helped build the Bethel A.M.E. Church, which served not only as her place of worship but also as a waystation on the Underground Railroad. Despite living near poverty much of her life, Dinah’s courage and conviction helped her break down racial and gender barriers as she staked out a full life for her and her family.
Joseph J. Swope, Author 