Sybil Downing writes about strong women who go against the norm. Her latest novel, The Vote: A Novel probes the American psyche of the World War I era through the eyes of valorous young women as they battle for the cherished right to vote. Sybil is the award-winning, best-selling author of four acclaimed historical novels, a biography, and thirteen Young Adult and children's books. The novels have been on the bestseller lists. A fourth-generation native of Colorado, Sybil attended schools in New York City and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Colorado. The great granddaughter of Colorado's first congressman and U.S. Senator as well as the owner and publisher of the Rocky Mountain News who championed women's rights, her books reflect her lifelong passion for politics and love of the West. Sybil writes a monthly review column for the Denver Post Book Review Section. She has appeared on Cspan and local talk shows. A former chair of the Colorado Center for the Book, dedicated to improving literacy and celebrating the book, she is a also a frequent speaker at libraries and museums. Along with writing, Downing's commitment to education led her to be elected twice to her local board of education and the State Board of Education, serving as chair of both. When asked about her blessings, Sybil counts her family as number one. "My husband and I have had a wonderful, fulfilling life together, sharing the joys of bringing up three daughters and a son and watching six grandchildren grow up." From her home office looking out at the Rocky Mountains, the view keeps her in touch with the West she loves. She reads three newspapers daily and is a voracious reader of both fiction and nonfiction. She walks two miles a day, focusing on the day's work. And she relies on her husband as her toughest critic. Her husband's strong support and her heritage made Sybil believe there was nothing she couldn't do if she tried, which included writing award-winning books.