After months of research and hard work, 150 Paly students have become published authors.

Social studies teacher David Rapaport and his five United States History classes co-authored the book Keep At It! about Mildred Jeffrey, a labor, civil rights and political activist, as well as Presidential Medal of Freedom winner. The inspiration for the book came from a telegram sent from presidential hopeful Robert Francis Kennedy to Jeffrey, which Rapaport purchased on eBay.

The telegram, sent shortly before Kennedy announced his candidacy for presidency in 1968, “provided the stimulus for a year-long project during which time students interviewed leading figures who knew and loved Millie Jeffrey,” according to Rapaport.

Rapaport has used documents as the basis for student written books previously.

“I’ve done several [books] over the years, one at Paly last year on a Word War II soldier,” Rapaport said, “and this year on a telegram sent from RFK to a behind-the-scenes force in labor and civil rights, Millie Jeffrey.”

However, this book has special significance to Rapaport.

“Students were writing about a woman who paved the way for women to be represented politically in contemporary society,” Rapaport said. “As founder of the National Women’s Political Caucus, and leading party stalwart, Jeffrey provided a unique glimpse into the political world in an election year. She would have been a staunch Hillary Clinton supporter, that’s for sure.”

While writing the book, the students had the opportunity to interview vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro, correspond with Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and come in contact with Dolores Huerta, the co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America. Students also met with Jeffrey’s daughter, Sharon Lehrer.

According to Rapaport, Lehrer’s visit to Paly served as key point for many students in the book’s production.

“When Millie’s daughter, Sharon Lehrer, came to Paly for a memorable visit to see what we were doing and contribute to the book, students realized her [Jeffrey’s] story might continue to remain somewhat hidden unless they told it in this book,” Rapaport said.

Rapaport sees the book as a chance for his students to learn more about Jeffrey, and also to educate others about her contributions.

“Despite the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and other recognition, Millie has somehow slipped through the cracks of secondary education,” Rapaport said. “Knowledgeable politically minded people are ignorant of her contributions, as are high school students, perhaps until we get her story front and center.”

Although the book project has been a success, Rapaport’s classes may not write a book next year.

“These books are quite challenging, but are not going to be the sole method of student expression,” Rapaport said. “I am interested in Web-based applications because of the vast distribution possibilities and cost-effectiveness. I would expect future projects to involve the Web to a significant degree.”

Although the book was never intended to be a best seller, Rapaport hopes that it might be adopted by schools in Michigan.

“I also think educators may be interested in how five intact classes could do something like this in a school year,” Rapaport explained. “I’d like to see schools of education pick up on this kind of approach in working with novice teachers. Making the book widely available would help in that regard.”

The project has left Rapaport with respect for his students and co-authors.

“Paly students continue to amaze me in being able to stay focused on a project of this length, determined to construct something to be proud of and overcome any obstacles through their inventiveness and resourcefulness,” Rapaport said.

From a print run of 500 books, 300 are available for sale to the public. The book may be obtained through http://www.milliejeffrey.com or by contacting the Paly Social Studies Department at (650) 329-3836 or [email protected].