Of God and Women

Sisters Judy Erikson and Carolyn Benson, young mothers and housewives in the 1960s, find their "Leave it to Beaver" lives altered forever when both dramatically confront the forces of good and evil at the same time; one in a life-shattering theophany, the other through the terrifying prism of schizophrenia. This compelling autobiographical story, based on family letters and journals, opens against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and Midwestern Bible Belt and spans over three decades. Significantly transformed by their experiences, Judy and Carolyn find themselves catapulted onto drastically different paths, both confronting the reality of closed doors in a patriarchal society. They become unwilling rebels battling religious and societal pressures on independent, thinking men and women in the decades following the pivotal 1960's. Although the sister's different tumultuous journeys take them from coast to coast, their vivid correspondence is the bond that keeps them together in a rapidly changing world of shifting cultural values as they deal with family and personal challenges. Both men and women born in mid-twentieth century America will identify with the sisters' journeys. Students of the feminine movement and the struggle of women in the church hierarchy for equal opportunity will find enlightening, if disturbing, material. Most important, those just looking for an entertaining book liberally sprinkled with humor certainly won't be disappointed by this down to earth, engaging work. Born in Oklahoma, Barber is a long time resident of the Midwest. With a lengthy and distinguished career as a Registered Nurse, she also has a BA in Dance and Theater. She has had articles published on nursing, dance, and theater, and is a past winner of the Mary M. Roberts Writing Award for the American Journal of Nursing. The author's readable style is grounded in her Midwestern roots and rich life experiences. Her descriptive writing about beloved city and rural landscapes enhances the complex characters in this true story about an unusual family of strong women, grounded in the rock solid faith and reverence for the land of their pioneer ancestors.