2024 is L.M. Montgomery’s 150th birthday! The L.M. Montgomery Institute (LMMI) at the University of Prince Edward Island is celebrating with 150 tributes – celebratory statements or greetings – that reflect upon personal connections to Montgomery or on an aspect of her life, work, or legacy.
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The theme for International Children's Day is “Inclusion, for every child.” This theme means that every child belonging to any society, community, or nationality is entitled to equal rights. This week’s tributes from Ragon Duffy and Kelly Gerner, MacKenzie Cutcliffe, Shannon Murray, Heather Fawcett, and Jenny Williams celebrate Montgomery in the context of World Children’s Day/National Child Day (November 20th).
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For Ragon Duffy and Kelly Gerner, Anne shaped their childhoods and adulthoods
Long before we were friends, we were little girls on opposite ends of the country, reading Anne of Green Gables and seeing ourselves in Anne. Anne Shirley shaped our ideas of girlhood, friendship, and imagination. As bookish girls do, we grew up to be bookish women and shared books were an instant cornerstone of our growing friendship. We discovered that we both were lifelong fans of Anne and knew we were kindred spirits. When we decided to start a podcast together, a friendship project to keep us connected when life often gets in the way, we knew it had to be about Anne and L.M. Montgomery, and how the books we imprint on in childhood change our lives, long after we close the cover. As our discussions deepened, we realized that Anne of Green Gables wasn’t only a book for children, but a book with so much for adults, opening conversations about friendship, family, feminism, and life itself. Anne Shirley shaped our childhoods, but Anne’s journey continues to shape our adulthoods – and our friendship.
Happy Birthday Maud, from the Kindred Spirits Book Club podcast!
Ragon Duffy and Kelly Gerner are two grown ladies who geek out about Anne of Green Gables and other L.M. Montgomery books on their podcast Kindred Spirits Book Club. They both live in Los Angeles and moonlight as a lawyer (Kelly) and a therapist (Ragon) when they aren’t talking about Anne of Green Gables. You can find Kindred Spirits Book Club anywhere you listen to podcasts or at kindredspiritsbookclub.com.
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For MacKenzie Cutcliffe, Anne makes children feel seen
As the lights came up in the Confederation Centre of the Arts, I felt the hearts of a thousand people celebrating a little red-haired girl known for her theatricality and outspokenness. As a theatrical and outspoken child myself, I felt seen. L.M. Montgomery gave me and many other young children permission to be ourselves. Anne of Green Gables has always been a source of comfort, whether listening to the musical soundtracks or reading the books. I always dreamed of being in Anne of Green Gables, but I was too tall. When the opportunity arose to work on Anne & Gilbert: The Musical, I found myself once again in a place of comfort where the theatrical, outspoken child in me could shine. Montgomery creates worlds where difference is celebrated, otherness is explored, and community is built. I am grateful to have grown up with her stories and to work in her world.
MacKenzie Cutcliffe is an Islander through and through. She works in communications for Parks Canada and L’nuey and is the choreographer for Anne & Gilbert: The Musical.
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For Shannon Murray, Anne is a child in an ordinary world longing for an extraordinary life
I came to Montgomery a little later than most. I didn't read Anne of Green Gables until I was 28 and moving to PEI for my first teaching contract here. I figured the novel was probably essential reading for the gig. I absolutely loved Anne at first reading. I'm embarrassed to confess that I probably didn't read Montgomery when I was young on purpose: not only was I a Narnia, Middle Earth, Sword in the Stone high fantasy kind of girl, but my mother and younger sister adored Montgomery, and I was probably defining myself as separate from them in my reading habits. What a surprise when I first encountered Anne, then, and found a child much like me – in an ordinary world but longing to find (or create) the extraordinary life. I'm so glad we finally met.
Shannon Murray is an English Professor, Islander-by-choice, and former Chair of the Montgomery Institute.
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For Heather Fawcett, Montgomery’s characters transcend generational divides
I grew up on the west coast of Canada, about as far as you can get from Prince Edward Island while still being in the same country, but Lucy Maud Montgomery was the first Canadian author I loved as a child and remains my favourite today. Her books do feel distinctly Canadian, though I can’t honestly say that was why I loved them; it was because, like many imaginative children, Anne Shirley became an instant friend of mine and kindred spirit. Now as a children’s author myself, I’ve witnessed more than one face light up in understanding during school visits when I tell them that Anne of Green Gables is one of my favourite books, a testament to Montgomery’s enduring appeal and her ability to craft characters that transcend time and generational divides.
Happy 150th, Maud!
Heather Fawcett is the New York Times bestselling author of the Emily Wilde series and The Grace of Wild Things.
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For Jenny Williams, Montgomery’s characters raise questions of identity and belonging
By the time I discovered a dusty paperback of Anne of Green Gables in a thrift store around the age of eleven, I was already an avid reader. But this Anne girl was like no other character I had known. Anne could see and articulate an idea stirring deep in my subconscious: that beauty is a mystery that requires a response. Anne’s desire for beauty is tied to her desire for belonging, and the relationship between the two is one I still ponder often. As a child, I knew the fictional world of Avonlea and the community of imperfect characters who lived there held some answers to many of my biggest questions – questions about my identity and my place in the world. Maud has guided me toward many answers over the years, but she also continues to remind me ever so gently, how much more I have yet to learn.
Jenny Williams is an artist, owner of Carrot Top Paper Shop, and co-author of Eat Like a Heroine.
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Next week’s tributes will be a visual and musical celebration of Montgomery; as well, there will be a calendar that recaps all the tributes we have published for #Maud150 on Maud’s 150th birthday, Saturday, November 30th.