Brenda Feigen - Not one of the Boys: Living Life as a Feminist

This book took many years to write. Without the urging of my editor, Victoria Wilson, I may never have started on the journey. Without her terrific sense of humor, as well as her skills as the best editor New York has to offer, I wouldnt have been able to complete it. Vicky waited patiently while I tried to find my voice and, when I did, encouraged me on throughout the process. Toward the end, her compassion and devotion surpassed all her other contributions. She deserves the most thanks any author can give her publisher. I also am indebted to Jane Garrett, who watched over the process, and to photographer Michele Smith, for her patience, flexibility and skill.

All feminists everywhere are in my heart, having inspired the writing of the book as I observed and participated with them in the demand for justice, equality and power. A number of special feminists deserve to be singled out for having contributedone way or anotherto the making of this book. They helped me understand more than I had before, and they helped me clarify what I was trying to say in various sections of the book: Professors Nancy Baker, Deborah Tannen, Catherine Stimpson and Sandra Harding paved the way for my more educated position on womens-studies academics and their penchant for categories like postmodern feminism. Other more than helpful feminists, such as Lindsy Van Gelder, Kate Millett and the late, great Bella Abzug, lent insight into various aspects of the state of the current Womens Movement. Professor Chris Littleton helped clarify the issues surrounding feminist jurisprudence, while Professors Linda Nochlin, Mary Garrard and Norma Broude have taught me about women artists and how their art relates to feminism today. Robin Morgan in-spired me on many levels, not the least of which was to continue our ongoing dialogue about the differences between boys and girls.

Without the help of Professors Catharine MacKinnon and Diana Russell, as well as my friend Andrea Dworkin, I would not have had the clarity I needed for the chapter on pornography.

My new friend the Right Honorable Kim Campbell inspired me to ask why, if Canada can have a feminist like her as its prime minister, we in the United States cant seem to find even a single woman who would be considered qualified to run our country.

My old friend Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg served as a brilliant light shining the way for every feminist lawyer I knew, myself certainly included. I watched in admiration as she wrote the most brilliant briefs Ive ever read, and I now look to her as a role model for every girl and woman who aspires to be not only the best lawyer she can be but a judge as well. I hope I have done her justice as I attempt in this book to describe her contribution to feminist jurisprudence, as well as to the cause of equality for women. I express here my sincere hope that Ruth will become the first woman Chief Justicea mantle she would wear with great panache, a position for which no one is better suited.

Marc Fasteau has participated in much of this story. I thank him for his patience, strength, support and mostly just for getting it.

Other friends and relatives who have lent support in important ways, sometimes just an arm or shoulder to lean on when I needed it most, especially toward the end of the writing of this book: Richard and Peggy, Philippa, Gerry and Kathy, Evelyn, Virginia and J.O., Pam, Erica, Christine, Christina, Regina, Patti and Sandy, Frances, Kirsten and Diana, Umberto, my colleagues on the board of California for the Arts, Pam and Steve, Mitch and Janice, and numerous others, for whose unintentional omission from this list I apologize.

I owe a special debt to the women with whom I worked at William Morris. Often we were afraid to speak freely there, but at the same time, in silent recognition of our collective plight, we supported each other.

I cannot omit mention of my own special SEAL team, which made NAVY SEALS possible. You know who you are. The only question is whether youre reading this book!

My closest friends, who have stood by me throughout the span of time from before the books inception to my recent ordeal, must be mentioned individually. Gloria Steinem: Where would any feminist alive today be without you? Youve been there for me since that day in May 1970 when we met, as Ive tried to be there for you. If weve had any disagreements, they pale in comparison with the strength Ive derived from your intelligence and compassion. I have never seen anyone work so hard to bring so many different women together. Gloria, your dislike of conflict has made you the peacemaker, the one person who has held this movement together when it could have splintered into a thousand pieces. You appear all over the book; I can only hope that you will find my rendition of times we spent together accurate. As the book neared its completion I was detoured, and when I needed you more than ever, you were of course there, ready not only with advice but with love. Jane Alexander, one of the most gifted actors Ill ever know, has been another source of inspiration, a perfectionist in the best sense of the word. You helped not only me but real artists all over the nation. You are a trusted friend whose wisdom has and always will guide me. Lily Tomlin: There is no one else like you anywhere. Not only do you make meand the rest of the worldlaugh on a rather constant basis, but you have been there for me, as has the brilliant Jane Wagner, whenever Ive needed anything, including help with this book. There are no others more generous than the two of you, our favorite dinner companions. Harriette Kaley, you are one of a kind. You helped shed light where there were only shadows. Through thick, through thin, youve been there, obviously hoping that eventually I would find my way by myself. I hope Im in the process.

I dont know what would have happened to me or the book without the wonderful doctors who have not only been a great source of strength in the darkest hours but have helped me find the path back into a healthy life: Marilou Terpenning, Karen Blanchard, Patricia Wolfson, Leslie Botnick, Wing Hsieh and Mitch Lewis. I also want to acknowledge my old friend Barbara and my new friend Jody, who went through the whole deal with metwo wonderful women with whom I could and still do compare notes.

Of course I must thank my mother, Shirley Kadison, who looks only on the bright side, urging me to go for the brass ring, encouraging me to believe I can accomplish anything I set my heart on. I only wish that were true. And I want to thank my father, Arthur Paul Feigen, who before his untimely death wisely instructed me to be happy above all else. He was the first person from whom I felt unconditional love.