Hail Columbia Author:Patricia Beatty Astoria, Oregon, in 1893, believed that women should be subdued and submissive. Understandably, therefore, the arrival of Columbia Baines proved upsetting. In a wonderful, fast-paced story, Louisa Baines, thirteeen years old, tells what happened the year her aunt came to visit her sedate family and how she quickly succeeded in turning their li... more »ves upside down. As soon as Aunt Columbia demonstrated that she could stop the ever-present rain with a snap of her fingers, Louisa knew she was a person to be reckoned with. Among other things, Aunt Columbia admitted she was an active suffragette, accustomed to chaining herself to city-hall entrances if her cause needed attention. Taking her niece in tow, Columbia embarked on one cause after another right in Astoria. There were Finns and Chinese to be helped, corrupt politicians to be battled. By the end of her stay, Louisa knew that the town would never forget Columbia Baines and neither will the reader.« less