I’m not going to talk here about the Presidential race. But, I am going to end with a note about politics. It comes from a circle of belief. I’m reading Beth Kendrick’s novel Once Upon a Wine right now. It’s a romance, but it’s also a story about three strong women of different ages who come together when one buys a vineyard. Although I say on my blog that there’s an emphasis on crime fiction, I also read and review women’s fiction. And, in both crime fiction and women’s fiction, I tend to read more books written by women than men. Why?
Strong women. My mother tells me how proud she is of what I do. My father, the father of three daughters, always pushed me to do my best. Although he was kidding, he used to say he hoped all three of us were successful in life so we could support him in his old age. He didn’t live to see the three of us succeed in our chosen fields.
Strong women. Why do I like Nora Roberts’ books? She features strong career women. Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunters are the same. Julia Spencer-Fleming’s Rev. Clare Fergusson is former military and a priest. Everyone knows how much I love Louise Penny’s books. Armand Gamache would not be the person he is without the support of his wife, a librarian. There are strong women in Penny’s books. I rave about Steven F. Havill’s books featuring Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman, who holds that job while handling motherhood and daughterhood. And, how many cozy mysteries feature women who step up to find a killer? My favorite fantasy novels are Tamora Pierce’s books with women as heroines. Meg Wallace in Madeleine L’Engle’s books was a favorite, the girl who went to rescue her brother. Even Belle in Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney character. She went off to save her father.
I believe in, and respect, strong women. My grandmothers were strong women. My mother is one. I admire both of my sisters. My friends, beginning with my college roommate to my best friend here in Evansville, my female friends across the country are all strong women who have overcome obstacles. It’s a circle. I was encouraged by strong women and a father who supported them. I read about strong women. I firmly believe that women can change the world in positive ways.
So, all of my background, my family, my reading, my profession leads me to support and want women in office. It’s why I gave to Emily’s List when I watched all those women on stage yesterday. We need strong women.
Absolutely.
I just finished Marcia Muller's Someone Always Knows. latest in her Sharon McCone series. The way McCone has grown in the (yikes!) nearly 40 years since the first book (Edwin of the Iron Shoes, 1977) is incredible, though in such an incremental way over the years that you can easily believe she now heads her own PI agency with many employees.
Then there is Kate Burkholder, Chief of Police of Painters Mill, Ohio in Linda Castillo's series. Or Judge Deborah Knott, in Margaret Maron's series. Or Dana Stabenow's tough as nail Kate Shugak in Alaska.
How could I omit Kate Burkholder since I just read that series? Thanks, Jeff for adding so many of the women of crime fiction.
Well said. Thank you, Lesa.
What a wonderful thing we witnessed last night – nomination of a woman for President of the United States – and hopefully when November comes she will be the President of the United States – women absolutely can not vote for the other candidate – just look at his background and the way he has treated women – and let's not forget he has had 3 wives.
I'm the mother of three young women, the oldest is 23, the youngest are 18-year-old twins. I hope my husband and I have raised them to be strong and good women, able to take care of themselves–but also to take care of others–and stand up for the right things in an uncertain world. I'm beyond thrilled that my girls may witness history in the making with our first female president. Just reading some of the things Donald Trump has said about women is enough to make me know (if I didn't already) that I don't want to vote for anyone from the party that would have THAT man as their standard-bearer.
/Dismounting soapbox now.
Women, and men who support women's roles, I hope you do get on a soapbox. No problem, Deb. How can any woman vote for a man who talks about them the way Trump does? That would be unacceptable in public from any other man, and he would have been called out for it a long time ago. We need to encourage women to have the strength to stand up despite those kind of attacks. I'm not sure how I'd react – probably in tears. But, I'm so proud of those women who have stood up under those kinds of brutal remarks.
I love strong women who see honest. UNfortunately, I do not find Hillary honest, so I can not support her. YHere sure so many other strong democrat women.
If you think the alternative is honest you better think again – the only thing he will support is white billionaire men – he will do anything to make a dollar and destroy everyone else.
Strong women raise strong women, seek out strong women as their friends, and serve as models for younger women looking for a path in their lives. Well said, Lesa.
Donna, I find the alternative better for what our country needs. Especially with the IISSIS problem.
Dear Anonymous,
I can see why you want to stay that way. If you think Trump knows anything about ISIS (or, indeed, anything other than his own needs and desire for constant attention) you are sadly mistaken. He knows NOTHING.
What's worse is, he doesn't care. He only says whatever it takes to get people to support him.
Yes, Anonymous. There are so many strong Democratic women. And, they're voting for Hillary because the alternative is unbelievable. We can't vote for the man who treats and talks about women as if we're dirt.
I wished there was a like button. I enjoyed reading your thoughts about strong women. So true. 🙂
What a beautiful post, Lesa. It's why I read women authors – and female protagonists – too.