Paula Stone Williams - As a Woman: What I Learned about Power, Sex, and the Patriarchy after I Transitioned

Paula Stone Williams

As a Woman

What I Learned about Power, Sex, and the Patriarchy After I Transitioned

This book is nothing less than an audacious, gripping, and profoundly real journey that speaks to the mind, heart, and soul. As we grapple with what it means to love people as Jesus did, As a Woman provides poignant insights into the beauty, complexity, and deeply intersectional nature of all Gods children. Whats more, Paulas brilliant writing, discerning reflections, and incisive wit make this an important and accessible read. It will teach you lessons about loving yourself, God, and othersand challenge you in all the right ways.

Joshua J. Dickson, director of faith-based initiatives, Biden campaign

Powerfully and tenderly written with a poetic flair, As a Woman is in the end surprisingly practical for anyone ready to examine their own presuppositions about faith, power, sexuality, and gender.

Joe Boyd, co-founder and CEO, Rebel Pilgrim

The only thing more emotional than reading about Paulas unceremonious severing from her job after coming out as transgender is following along in awe as Paula took those shattered pieces and showed that death truly does not have the last word. And while her story inspires us to live for the truth of who we are, it is her unique insights into the differences between living as a man and a woman that empower us to live for the greater good of all. What Paula has done in As a Woman is magnificent.

Colby Martin, author of UnClobber: Rethinking our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality, and co-pastor/founder of Sojourn Grace Collective, San Diego

As a Woman is a heart-rending and brave spiritual memoir of gender transition. Reading Paula Stone Williams, I wept then understood; felt angry then empowered. This book is ultimately about the joyful triumph of an authentic and faithful life, a profoundly human and humane story of love and justice.

Diana Butler Bass, author of Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence

As a Woman is a masterful and unflinching story that will challenge the ways in which you see the world, other people, and even yourself. Anyone on a journey of discovery will feel at home in Paulas book.

Katrina Mathewson, screenwriter and co-chair of the Writers Guild of Americas LGBTQ+ Committee

Perhaps no human experience is as misunderstood today as that of the transgender person. That means we are called to listen and learnfirst from transgender people themselves. I pray the world may begin to pay attention to the stories of people like Paula, and open our hearts to their struggles, concerns, and dreams.

James Martin, SJ, author of Building a Bridge

Paulas book is an essential read for any human who takes seriously their obligation to help close the gender equity gap. If understanding is the first step to action, then reading what Paula has to say about succeeding on both sides is the best place to start.

Cindy W. Anderson, global lead, Engagement & Eminence, IBM Institute for Business Value

As a Woman, at its simplest, is a story about bravery and what it takes to follow ones heart and authentic self despite the consequences. The impact of Paulas transition is palpable as she details losing the power, privilege, and prestige that came with being an evangelical pastor, a successful CEO, and a man. However, it is through Paulas unique lensher life experiences on both sidesthat she is able to so acutely pinpoint the realities of gender bias.

Caitie Bradley Shea, CEO, Outspoken Agency

Fired, robbed, disowned, and dismissed by the evangelical Christian world in which she once rose to power, Paula could have become bitter. But instead she chose to become bettermore thoughtful, more understanding, more self-reflective, more conscious of other peoples lives. Hers is a spiritual journey worth joining.

Linda Kay Klein, author of Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement that Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free

Paula is one of the most courageous individuals youll find. Her wisdom is expansive yet graceful, and her story reveals an authentic journey that we can all learn from. In the end, she reminds us that at the heart of everything is love.

Jeremy Duhon, curator, TEDxMileHigh

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Copyright 2021 by Paula Stone Williams

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First Atria Books hardcover edition June 2021

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Interior design by Dana Sloan

Jacket design by Min Choi

Front jacket and author photographs by Rebecca Stumpf

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Williams, Paula Stone, author.

Title: As a woman : what I learned about power, sex, and the patriarchy after I transitioned / Paula Stone Williams.

Description: First edition. | New York : Atria Books, 2021.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020058146 (print) | LCCN 2020058147 (ebook) | ISBN 9781982153342 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781982153366 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Williams, Paula Stone. | Male-to-female TranssexualsUnited StatesBiography. | ClergyUnited StatesBiography. | Christian transgender peopleFamily relationships.

Classification: LCC HQ77.8.W55 A3 2021 (print) | LCC HQ77.8.W55 (ebook) | DDC 306.76/8dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020058146

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020058147

ISBN 978-1-9821-5334-2

ISBN 978-1-9821-5336-6 (ebook)

For All Who Believe Living Authentically Is Sacred and Holy and for the Greater Good

T his is a poem written for me by my friend Nicole Kelly Vickey at the start of writing this book, as a reminder of what I was writing it for.

Dont write it for the money,

or just to feel known,

because this wont feel like that.

It will feel more like pouring out

your soul to an empty room.

Responses will come at odd intervals,

and often from the people hit the hardest.

Ive read so many authors

who have brought me to tears,

to a fundamental understanding of some corner of myself.

And I never, ever

wrote one a letter to tell them so or say thank you.

Be wary of wrapping up story lines that arent finished yet.

Hold space for new chapters in new books.

You dont know yet where this will all lead,

or how you will fit again into some

future iteration of a friendship