Copyright 2007 by Karen Weekes All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Number: 2010935935 ISBN9781594745065 Ebook ISBN9781594745454 Cover designed by Andie Reid Interior designed by Bryn Ashburn Production management by John J. McGurk Quirk Books 215 Church Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 quirkbooks.com v4.1 a FOR
INTRODUCTION
My time spent working on this project has been incredibly enjoyable because of the company Ive kept: days spent with Dorothy Parker, Jeanette Winterson, Margaret Atwood, Maya Angelou, and Katharine Hepburn. Each evening I would find myself newly inspired by their wisdom and wit. Even better, though, was the discovery of women whose accomplishments Id heard little to nothing of, despite my background in, and years of teaching, womens studies.
Hedy Lamarrs invention of frequency hopping (a key element in wireless communication technology), Grace Murray Hoppers revolutionizing of computer programming, Wangari Maathais Nobel Peace Prize for her environmental sustainability work in Kenya, and Aung San Suu Kyis undaunted nonviolent resistance and wrongful imprisonment made me proud to be a woman and determined that this book would give voices not only to literary and entertainment figures but to activists, politicians, and aviators; athletes, educators, and scientists. So it is my hope that this entire book will be a true introduction for its readersthat you will be intrigued by these women, will seek out more of their writings and learn more about their lives, will appreciate the brains accompanying beauty, and will have many laughs and new insights along the way. In short, that you will enjoy reading and quoting from this book as much as I have enjoyed compiling it. Many thanks to my editor at Quirk Books, Jason Rekulak, for his patience and good humor, and kudos to Bryn Ashburn for all of her work on the books design. Also thanks to Danielle Fitzpatrick and Joe Benhabib for their assistance, and to all my friends and family for not gagging me after I said, That reminds me of a great quote. for the millionth time.
But mostly thanks go to all the wise, wonderful women whose words appear here: Thank you not just for thinking them, but for saying them, writing them, sharing them, and for inspiring new generations of women to do the same.
ABILITY
I have learnt that I am me, that I can do the things that, as one might put it, me can do, but I cannot do the things that me would like to do.
AGATHA CHRISTIE (18901976) ENGLISH MYSTERY WRITER Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you dont know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!
ANNE FRANK (19291945) GERMAN-JEWISH DIARIST Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult.
CHRISTABEL PANKHURST (18801958) ENGLISH SUFFRAGETTE Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed.
CHRISTABEL PANKHURST (18801958) ENGLISH SUFFRAGETTE Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed.
If I fail, no one will say, She doesnt have what it takes. They will say, Women dont have what it takes. CLARE BOOTHE LUCE (19031987) AMERICAN PLAYWRIGHT, JOURNALIST, AND POLITICIAN It is not my ability, but my response to Gods ability, that counts. CORRIE TEN BOOM (18921983) DUTCH EVANGELIST AND HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR Just watch, all of you men. Ill show you what a woman can do.Ill go across the country, Ill race to the Moon.Ill never look back. GAIL HAMILTON (MARY ABIGAIL DODGE) (18331896) AMERICAN WRITER AND HUMORIST Ability hits the mark where presumption overshoots and diffidence falls short. GOLDA MEIR (18981978) RUSSIAN-BORN FIRST FEMALE PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL I seldom think about my limitations, and they never make me sad. GOLDA MEIR (18981978) RUSSIAN-BORN FIRST FEMALE PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL I seldom think about my limitations, and they never make me sad.
Perhaps there is just a touch of yearning at times; but it is vague, like a breeze among flowers. HELEN KELLER (18801968) AMERICAN WRITER AND ACTIVIST A sobering thought: What if, at this very moment, I am living up to my full potential? JANE WAGNER (1935) AMERICAN PLAYWRIGHT AND COMEDY WRITER I dont like to gamble, but if theres one thing Im willing to bet on, its myself. BEYONC (1981) AFRICAN-AMERICAN SINGER AND SONGWRITER When I see the elaborate study and ingenuity displayed by women in the pursuit of trifles, I feel no doubt of their capacity for the most Herculean undertakings. JULIA WARD HOWE (18191910) AMERICAN POET AND PHILANTHROPIST Ability is of little account without opportunity. LUCILLE BALL (19111989) AMERICAN COMIC ACTOR Knowing what you cannot do is more important than knowing what you can do. LUCILLE BALL (19111989) AMERICAN COMIC ACTOR You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through. ROSALYNN CARTER (1927) FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES
ABORTION
See
ACTING
Acting is not about dressing up.
ROSALYNN CARTER (1927) FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES
ABORTION
See
ACTING
Acting is not about dressing up.
Acting is about stripping bare. The whole essence of learning lines is to forget them so you can make them sound like you thought of them that instant. GLENDA JACKSON (1936) ENGLISH ACTOR AND POLITICIAN Its amazing. All you have to do is to look like crap on film and everyone thinks youre a brilliant actress. HELEN MIRREN (1945) ENGLISH STAGE, TELEVISION, AND MOVIE ACTOR It is not whether you really cry. INGRID BERGMAN (19151982) SWEDISH ACTOR My husband was actually very keen that I would become a Bond girl. JUDI DENCH (1934) ENGLISH STAGE AND FILM ACTOR I was born at the age of 12 on an MGM lot. JUDY GARLAND (19221969) AMERICAN ACTOR AND SINGER Acting is the most minor of gifts. JUDY GARLAND (19221969) AMERICAN ACTOR AND SINGER Acting is the most minor of gifts.
After all, Shirley Temple could do it when she was four. KATHARINE HEPBURN (19072003) AMERICAN ACTOR Hollywood is a place where theyll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul. MARILYN MONROE (19261962) AMERICAN ACTOR AND SEX SYMBOL People find out Im an actress and I see that whore look flicker across their eyes.