Mother of Courage
The Inspirational True Story of an Armless Dentist and Her
Triumph Over Tragedy
A Life Forever Changed June 1941
In June 1941, a 24-year-old dental student in the prime of her life was severely burned when, during a placid Sunday afternoon outing, the mast of her sailboat struck a high-voltage power line that drooped across Houston’s San Jacinto River. Both arms had to be amputated at the shoulder to save her life. Days later, when the fog of morphine had dissolved into a rage of tears, she prayed to die. Her mother would have none of it. “There is still a purpose in your life,” she insisted. “It’s your responsibility to keep looking for it.”
A Mother’s Faith in the Darkest Hour
Thus begins the inspirational true story of Margaret Chanin. Bolstered by the unflagging faith and support of her family and friends, she emerged from her dark cave of self-pity, determined to achieve what others thought was impossible. She returned to school and earned three degrees, married and raised two boys, and for more than 20 years taught at an historically Black dental school in Nashville, Tennessee. Along the way, she became nationally known for her advocacy of people like her who had a disability, but who also had great worth.
From Survival to Service
Part biography, part memoir, Mother of Courage is a compelling portrait of a child of the South and the Great Depression who found her voice and her purpose during the Second World War. Her commitment to serve and to inspire courage in others continued to shine, undimmed, through the tumultuous ’60s and ’70s, and beyond. As insightfully recounted by her son, Nashville psychologist Philip Chanin, Margaret’s story is both a celebration of a life well lived, and a roadmap for navigating the divisiveness and confusion of our current era.
Introduction a Woman for All Seasons
Margaret Jones Chanin was many things: a pioneer in public health dentistry who taught a generation of young dentists at historically black Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee; an indefatigable advocate for the economic and social rights of people with disabilities; and a caring, selfless woman of faith who touched the lives of hundreds of people throughout her life.
In the string of newspaper columns that followed her for nearly 60 years, she was known as the lady with no arms, the only armless dentist in America, a beautiful woman who had lost her upper limbs in a tragic, horrifying boating accident when she was only 24. But to me, her son, Margaret Chanin will always be Mother, gentle teacher, confidant, and most treasured friend.
Ever since she passed away in January 2001 at the age of 83, I have intended to write Mother’s story. Now, more than 20 years later, I have completed my task. Twenty years is a long time, and yet her life is more relevant than ever. Yes, people of color, women and people with disabilities have made great strides in the march for equal rights and opportunities. Yet we, as a society, still have far to go.
Margaret Chanin did not solve any of these challenges in her lifetime. My mother was not a fixer. But she was a doer. Faced at a young age with a most extreme example of trauma and loss, she could easily have given up and crawled into a hole to die. Instead, buoyed by her abiding faith and by the love of those around her, she confronted her limitations and overcame them.
In 1981, 40 years after the accident that took her arms, Mother wrote, “My life is meaningful, and God helps me focus on the positive. I have had doubts and disappointments, but I have never felt that God did not love me or that He caused the accident. I believe in a God of love. My goal is, in the words of the Apostle Paul, to forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before (Philippians 3:13). I thank God for helping me and using me.”
In always reaching forth, Mother was an inspiration not only to those who knew and loved her, but also to hundreds if not thousands of others who read about her from afar. Her calm and steady demeanor, and her friendly repartee drew people to her. They were bathed in her positivity, warmed by her light. Says our friend Bruce Richards, “Margaret made us all better.”
The problems of our planet can seem remote and insurmountable. We all have burdens enough of our own. Yet we can be part of the solution, too. Each of us has the power to help right wrongs, to improve the lot of others, to make the world a better place. That, I believe, is Mother’s most profound and enduring gift: she led by example.
Morgan Hines, one of her former dental students, put it best when he said: “Shoot, if she can do it, you can do it.” All it takes is a little courage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I read this book?
If you are inspired by stories of people who have overcome seemingly impossible odds, this is the book for you.
Despite the loss of both arms, through faith and determination this 24-year-old woman returned to dental school and graduated, married and raised two boys, and became nationally known for her advocacy of other people with disabilities.
If you are interested in the recent history of the United States, as experienced by a woman with a disability, this is the book for you.
The life of Margaret Chanin intersects at critical points with some of the defining events of the 20th century: the Great Depression and World War II; the post-war Red Scare; and the rise of the Civil Rights, women’s rights, and disability rights movements.
Why is Margaret Chanin’s story relevant today?
Despite significant advances in civil, and human rights in this country during the past 60 years, Black Americans continue to be disproportionately impacted by poverty, violence, and disease, a lack of mental health and addiction treatment services is reflected in high rates of suicide, homelessness, and incarceration, and many people with disabilities, especially those with limited financial means, cannot access opportunities that would help them lead more fulfilling lives.
Margaret Chanin did not solve any of these problems in her lifetime. She was not a fixer. But she was a doer. Confronted at a young age with extreme trauma and loss, she could easily have given up and crawled into a hole. Instead, buoyed by her abiding faith and determination, she faced her limitations head-on, asked for help when she needed it, and found a way to realize her dreams.
The challenges facing our nation and the world today may seem beyond our reach. We all carry burdens of our own. Yet we can be part of the solution, too. Each of us has the power to help right wrongs, improve the lot of others, and make the world a better place. That was Margaret Chanin’s most profound and enduring gift: she led by example.
Is Mother of Courage appropriate for young readers?
Yes. More importantly, young readers may identify with the challenges faced by Margaret as a young woman, and they may be inspired by the choices she made to overcome them.
Is Mother of Courage available in Kindle and audio versions?
Yes.
Are there any up-coming author events where I can meet the author, Philip Chanin?
At 4 pm Saturday, Jan. 17, Philip Chanin will be interviewed by Carol Westlake, founder of the Tennessee Disability Coalition, at the Vanderbilt Bookstore, 2501 West End Ave., Nashville, TN.
Take a glance of book here
Dorrance Publishing Co.
196 pages
(June 28, 2024)