According to Heilbrun, women's lives have been written under the guise of what the perception of their life should be. Societal pressures, patriarchal constraints, and a lack of language not “steeped in that of men,” all contribute to the silence of real issues and topics for women. I was reminded of Anis Nin who wrote two sets of journals: one for herself and one for others to read.
It was in my Women in Literature class in college that I was first exposed to this book, but I have kept it close for reference ever since. In fact, one year I had a small class of all female, senior Independent Honors students and we decided to tackle the book together. Prior to Women's History Month (March), we wrote letters to prominent, respected women from the local, state, and national arena to come speak at our high school about the trials and tribulations they had to overcome to reach their dreams. Diane Sawyer wrote a letter back to one student, and Hillary Clinton sent a letter from the White House. Several local women came to speak to a small group and were taped for an interview by our broadcasting class. All as a result of reading this book. Well worth the time for men and women to read.
