Book Review: They Called Us Girls by Kathleen Courtenay Stone

I love reading about cutting-edge, ahead-of-their-time personalities, and Kathleen Courtenay Stone’s collection of tales of women throughout the decades of the 20th century who managed to step up and into careers, purposes, and advancements that the world around them believed they couldn’t – or shouldn’t be able to – handle because they were female is a fabulous amalgamation of inspiration and entertainment. Inspired by the scarcity of female images in her father’s Yale Law School yearbook, she went on a quest to identify women who broke with tradition and followed their hearts, minds, and dreams to careers across a wide range of disciplines. She interviewed these women, all in their 80s and 90s, and the result is a brilliant series of biographies and anecdotes.

With an engaging and conversational (yet still scholarly – a fine balancing act, that!) tone, the author manages to inform the reader about the lives and times of these incredible women in such a way that they come alive on the page. I found the selection of women to offer a marvelous cross-section of fields,  with something for every reader along the way. There are artists and scientists, activists and judges – while their chosen professions differ wildly, one thing that runs as a constant thread through their tales is an unerring ability to persevere, to retain a strong sense of self and possibility despite the obstacles they found (or that were placed) in their way. It’s a moving collection and a wonderful way to inspire “girls” of all ages!

Thanks to the author and publisher for my obligation-free review copy.