In Other Words, Leadership

"A remarkable story of work, worry, art, faith, community, life, and hope. An instant classic." — Heather Cox Richardson, author of Democracy Awakening

In March 2020, Governor Janet Mills was on the brink of signing a harrowing declaration to shut down the state of Maine as COVID-19 spread around the globe. It was the first in a marathon of politically unpopular restrictions that made national news and exposed deep divisions among her constituents. An hour away, Ashirah Knapp wrote a letter of support from her woodland homestead, launching a year-long correspondence that became a lifeline for both women despite their vastly different lives.

As opposition to Maine’s pandemic response turned to outright defiance, Ashirah filled her weekly letters with hilarity, heartbreak, and grace from the trials of parenting and her family’s fight to save their small business. Governor Mills wrote back with gratitude and candor between the urgent demands of an unprecedented crisis, the rigors of daily governance, and her contentious bid for reelection.

This uplifting true story — told through intimate letters and excerpts from the governor’s personal journal — proves that human connection can transcend fear, and civility can transform the world in our most divided times.

This edition includes a new foreword from Dr. Nirav Shah and discussion questions for reading groups.