Review
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Title: I, Claudia – The Life of Claudia Lauper Bushman in Her Own Words
Author: Claudia Lauper Bushman
Publisher: Kofford Books
Genre: Non-fiction, Autobiography
Year Published: 2024
Number of Pages: 313
Binding: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-58958-812-7
Price: $29.95
Reviewed by Catherine C. Peterson for the Association for Mormon Letters
I, Claudia is the inspirational life story of Latter-day Saint Claudia Lauper Bushman. This “primary source” for her extraordinary life history is a worthwhile read. Her abundant abilities, generosity, humor, creativity, energy, curiosity, friendliness, spirituality, and sense of adventure become evident throughout this engaging narrative.
For readers interested in cultural L.D.S. church history, mid-century until now, Bushman’s book offers written first-hand experiences from within the milieu of the times, in and out of the Church. She gives her audience an intimate look into a rich life of juggling marriage and family life, scholarly endeavors, travel adventures, celebrations, advocacy for women, and personal challenges. Her tone is humble, yet confident; straightforward and endearing.
In I, Claudia, we follow Bushman as she pursues her education and lends her talents to each community she lives in. Her husband, Richard Bushman, serves as a church leader and builds a distinguished career as a historian and educator. Together they rear six children who now have careers in finance, business, law and medicine.
This brief overview does not give justice to the book’s content but may serve as an invitation to read her autobiography. Her narrative has many memorable anecdotes, a few follow:
Ladybugs –
While in Delaware Claudia worked with the Heritage Commission and earned kudos for leading several projects and programs to commemorate the anniversary of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. She testified before Congress, gave lots of talks, led the Great Bicentennial Ladybug Launch and other activities. She was sad to leave Delaware but asserted, “I’m sure I would have gotten a very nice obituary there.”
Almost a Deacon –
Claudia’s parents were leaders in the church in San Francisco. Her hard-working father served as the Bishop. Her mother seemed to do everything else. At that time there weren’t enough young priesthood boys to prepare for the sacrament, so Claudia and her sisters prepared the sacrament table with linens, bread plates and little cups of water then cleaned it up after church. She writes, “Sometimes we took the leftover bread to feed the ducks in the park. Sometimes we ate it ourselves to become more holy.”
Shopping –
After living in close quarters in New York City, she enjoyed decorating and furnishing a little ancestral home in Provo, Utah. She said, “And suddenly, I could buy things again. My powerful shopping genes, long repressed by our New York City limits, sprang to life.” Amidst furnishings and home decor she had “charming little frogs, birds and lizards as pulls on (her) pantry cabinet.” She confessed, “We still have too much stuff.”
Lazy Bum –
When folks agreed that Claudia was a driven person, she said, “I was surprised and very flattered to hear it. I always feel that I am a lazy bum. I love to have people think that I work hard, and I wish I did.”
Bridge builder –
She began a genealogy outreach program in Harlem called the Harlem Bridge Builders.
Depression –
During a time of depression, she recorded, “All I can do is keep doing the things I’m doing which just doesn’t seem like enough. How could I have spent 57 years getting ready and still have missed the boat? I feel completely worthless.” In 1993 she wrote, “I realize that no one in the whole world gives a damn what I do or am. I decided long ago that I would not kill myself no matter what, just as I would not leave the church no matter what (although there were times I thought it might leave me) and I would not get a divorce no matter what.” After reading an ad to engage in an experimental study on depression, she volunteered but she was not allowed to be in the study. She complained, “Imagine my state when I was told that I wasn’t depressed enough to be accepted. What a failure I was! Not even depressed enough to be considered depressed.”
Merry Christmas –
She rallied and convinced church leaders and members to do a live Nativity at Christmastime in the building where the church met, near Lincoln Center in downtown New York City. Visitors reacted with smiles, uttered prayers and appreciation.
A Mormon Woman Has Her Say –
She is one of the founding mothers of Exponent II, LDS women’s magazine. She is also a pioneer in women’s studies and has authored 10 books. Regarding her books, she says, “I am even proud of my books, though most people have never heard of them!” Reading this book, you can see how her leadership left its positive imprint on many. Claudia graciously details these activities in her story.
Five stars! Highly recommended.