A Woman's Path to Liberation

June 4, 1961

I am at a loss for words. I am torn between my feelings of great accomplishment and those of utter dejection at how James has taken to me being a writer. As he opened the paper, I anxiously poured his orange juice and smiled, waiting for him to see my work. He perused for a minute and when his face screwed up, I knew something wasn't right. "Ask a woman?" he said. "Who would ever want to do a silly thing like that?" My poor heart just couldn't handle it. I threw his glass of orange juice on the floor and stormed out of the house. I was halfway down the street before he caught up to me. We argued. He couldn't figure out what had made me so upset. When I kept walking, he grabbed my arm and told me to "see here." I shot right back that he should be the one to "see here." He got angry then and dragged me into the house. He threw me on the bed and walked out of the room slamming the door to our bedroom. He shouted through the door that I wasn't to come out until I had learned proper respect for a husband. I guess I am never coming out. Who would want to respect him?

June 10, 1961

In order to make the publisher and town think that our news columns are receiving an increased viewership, the group has been mailing loads of questions for "Ask a woman." I suppose I should feel like a cheat, but I don't. More people have started to pick it up. I think we may make it to the 8,000 prints that we need. The publisher, John, has shared some of the numbers with me. The paper averages around 5,000 copies sold monthly. If we can just make up the difference with the 3,000 to the quota, we can continue writing. We aren't taking any salaries right now, but John said that if the paper has a steady flow of 10,000 papers he will pay 2¢ per paper sold above that number. That doesn't seem like much, but if we get to 12,000 readers, the group would make $40 a month!

June 15, 1961

We've done it! The final count was 8,521! Our group will finally be able to reach people and help them to understand how much women matter. Now to attract more readers! My mind is alive with the possibilities!