Prisms: Refracting Light of Women's Lives

Book excerpt: Dr. Jackie De Hon "bought" the culture's prescription for women while growing up in the 40s and 50s when women were allowed to be one of four thingswife/mother, teacher, nurse, or secretary. She educated herself as her children were growing up. Through her own experiences and her observation of the treatment of other women, she raised her own consciousnessas consciousness-raising missed Louisiana. She began writing and advocating publicly for women, children, and public education in the 70s. Seeking a wider audience so she could encourage more people to work for equity, she decided to publish this collection of perceptions, ideas, and concerns about women's and their families' everyday lives. She has taught communication on the university level and art in kindergarten through 12th grade. In addition, she administered the regional office of a federal job-retraining program for the Louisiana Department of Education before turning to full-time writing. De Hon now lives in Texas with her husband, a fat tabby cat, and a houseful of plants.