The War for Souls in the San Luis Valley: A Teacher's Story

The War for Souls in the San Luis Valley: A Teacher's Story

The War for Souls fills an important gap in American history. The settlement of the Southwest was entwined with the conflicts and influences of competing religious traditions. Into that fray came 47-year-old Anna Marie Ross, led by her social conscience and faith to teach Hispanic children in the sparsely populated San Luis Valley. Undeterred by resistance from the Catholic Church and competition from other religious groups, she persevered and in so doing, laid the foundation for public schools. "Historian Reid Ross has brought to life the devoted work and contributions of Anna Marie Ross. It is a story that provides insights, reality, and understanding about the saga of Colorado and the American West." - Duane Smith, history professor emeritus, Fort Lewis College "The reader of this work will readily realize the success that a dedicated person armed with a passion for learning, a belief in people, a strong constitution, and a willingness to sacrifice comfort and leisure can achieve. This quiet and strong-willed woman focused on literacy without regard to creed, and modeled the gospel better than more traditional preachers." - Joe Colgan, historian D. Reid Ross is a retired urban planner and family historian. The author of Lincoln's Veteran Volunteers Win the War (SUNY Press) and numerous articles in history journals, he has traced his family roots back to the 17th century. The story of his great-aunt Anna Marie Ross remains one of his favorites.