Prologue xi Introduction: Lethal Injection---The Ultimate High xv North Carolina ``When I go . . . its my gateway to Heaven. xv Velma Barfield ``God has answered my prayers, Im ready now. xvi Bessie Mae Williams ``Deliver me from this gas chamber. I dont want no part of it. xx Rosanna Phillips Part One: Hanging---``Dont hang me high. . .for decency. 1(22) Arizona ``I dont know where Im going but Im on my way. 1(8) Eva Dugan Vermont ``Moral Idiot 9(1) Mary Rogers Louisiana ``Sweet Pirogueing Mama 10(2) Ada LeBoeuf Julia Moore 12(1) Delaware ``My way is clear; I have nothing else to say. 12(2) May Cary Mississippi ``Torch Murderer 14(9) Mary Holmes ``Trunk Slayer 15(8) Winnie Ruth Judd Part Two: The Electric Chair---``This is a step forward in the cause of humanity. 23(48) New York ``Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, have mercy on my soul. 26(1) Mary Farmer ``If there is a penitent in this world, I am that. 27(4) Ruth Snyder ``I am not afraid to die. I have nothing on my conscience. 31(2) Anna Antonio ``I wish to God the men I know would help me now. 33(3) Eva Coo ``Im tired, maybe I can rest now. 36(2) Mary Francis Creighton ``Black Helen, ``Sugar Woman 38(1) Helen Fowler ``I know my sin was great, but the penalty is great too. 39(4) Martha Jule Beck Alabama ``Im going home where the angels dwell. 43(1) Selina Gilmore ``God has forgiven me for all I have done. 44(1) Earle Dennison ``I want my body...given to some scientific institution... 44(1) Rhonda Belle Martin Ohio ``(D)ont do this to me...Cant you think of my baby? 45(2) Anna Marie Hahn ``(He) wanted a housekeeper and I wanted a home. 47(1) Blanche Dean ``My work is done! 48(1) Betty Butler Pennsylvania ``I am going to die...but I am not afraid. 49(1) Irene Schroeder Corrine Sykes 50(1) South Carolina ``I am ready to go. 50(1) Sue Logue ``Root Doctor 51(1) Rose Marie Stinette Virginia ``Im right much worried. 51(2) Virginia Christian Illinois ``I hold no malice towards anyone. 53(1) Marie Porter Louisiana ``The victim doesnt return to haunt me. I never think of him. 54(1) Toni Jo Henry Mississippi Mildred Johnson 55(1) Georgia Lena Baker 55(16) ``Hammer Slayer 56(15) Effie Jowers ``Arsenic Annie Nannie Hazel Doss Part Three: The Gas Chamber---``How in the hell would you know? 71(14) California ``My blood will burn holes in (your) bodies. 73(2) Juanita Spinelli ``There will be no screaming or hysterics. I am not built that way. 75(1) Louise Peete ``I am paying for a life of little sins. 76(3) Barbara Graham ``I am innocent. Wheres Frank? 79(6) Elizabeth Duncan Dr. Alice Wynekoop 81(4) Part Four: Federal Executions of Women 85(10) ``If I had two lives to give, Id give one gladly to save Mrs. Surratt. 85(2) Mary Surratt ``Always remember that we were innocent and could not wrong our conscience. 87(3) Ethel Rosenberg ``Id rather die than be poor. 90(5) Bonnie Brown Heady ``The Petticoat Spy 91(4) Judith Coplon ``Axis Sally Mildred Gillars Part Five: What Must a Woman Do to Be Executed? 95(16) Conclusion 101(10) Mothers, Their Children and Their Crimes 103(2) Mothers While on Death Row 105(2) Mothers to the End 107(4) Endnotes 111
