Melissa (McEndree) Simonye is a wife, mother, small business owner, and retired elementary school teacher of twenty-five years. She explored her love for writing in high school by expressing herself through poetry and creative writing. As an educator, her passion was inspiring her students to love reading by sharing authentic literature that spoke to her students’ individuality. Reading about courageous people also fascinated Melissa, especially strong women who made a mark in history. Whenever she can escape her busy life, she exercises, travels, reads books, and writes.