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A Legacy of Activism BY BRIAN SCHWARTZ
freedoms that young women take for granted were simply not so in the 1970s: financial independence, reproductive rights, and equality in both education and the workplace are rights that the two friends fought for. In 2001, McPhee’s beloved friend and former co-author was diagnosed with lung cancer. Without hesitation, McPhee stepped up to assume the role of caregiver for Fitzgerald. The writing in the journal she had kept since she was twenty became intensely focused on the last two-and-a-half years she spent as a caretaker. Eventually, she edited the 1000+ page record into the book, “Releasing the Light,” and in late 2023 it was published. McPhee shares, “It’s my hope that other couples on similar quests for peace, love, and companionship during the ordeal of a final illness can find solace here.”
At ninety-one, Carol Alma McPhee is the vibrant voice of six books. Her sixth book, “Releasing the Light: A Journal of Caring” was published by Coalesce Press in Morro Bay. McPhee’s family history and personal growth in San Luis Obispo County make her both a living legacy of local history and a pioneer in her own rite through her activism and writing. Her father, Julian McPhee, was the president of Cal Poly for thirty-three years and she grew up on the university campus. Originally a high school, then a junior college, the state legislature planned to shut Cal Poly down before her father campaigned to save it. It is no surprise that McPhee would continue her family’s legacy by becoming a prominent fixture in the women’s movement. She and her best friend, Ann Fitzgerald, are held in high regard for their sacrifices and dedication to taking a stand for women’s rights. Many of the 52
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SLO LIFE MAGAZINE
| DEC/JAN 2024
Rather than a guidebook for navigating the practical tasks of caregiving, “Releasing the Light” delves into its deep and personal emotional experience. McPhee includes how the event impacted her own family as she sacrificed and changed the direction of her life to be there for Fitzgerald. Caregiving, as the giver or the recipient, is a likely scenario for most of us. It’s not a matter of if, but when and how. McPhee has provided a glimpse of how life changes, noting the rewards and challenges we will likely face during this phase of life. Her work is a fitting tribute to the life of a woman who impacted so many, as well as a testament to the importance of friendship through all stages of life. Linna Thomas, the owner of Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay and a fellow advocate for women’s rights is McPhee’s publisher. The book is available in her store and a book signing is slated for early 2024. SLO LIFE