Jill Ker Conway has left us with quite a trilogy of autobiographies. In so doing, she has divided her life into thirds – growing up on the Australian outback, coming of age in North-American academe, and gaining a feminist voice as president of the elite Smith College.
This work examines her experiences at Smith College. She poured her soul into learning to articulate an authentically feminine institutional voice in a world of coeducation. Instead of seeing women’s education as fading from the world, she embraced the single-gender nature of her task and emphasized women’s roles in virtually all fields.
As an educated male, I’ve often had mixed feelings about feminism. I am 100% for women’s advancement in society. Like Conway, I find women provide a unique and strong contribution in the history of just about every sphere of human activity. However, I am uncomfortable with a feminism that seeks the advancement of women through the denigration of men’s roles. Like Conway, I think we do better when we march and reason together.
This work will leave some readers feeling empty. It focuses on Conway’s leadership of an elite academic institution. While authentic, it is relatively devoid of drama. Those used to following plot twists won’t find much here. Conway’s perspective is about active self-expression and self-development.
After reading this trilogy of autobiographies, I find that I like Conway. She seems full of life and like someone who I’d like to have dinner with sometime. Her perspective of life is one which all people – not just women – can gain from. She is an intellectual (as am I), and those who appreciate a vibrant life of the mind will appreciate this trilogy.
A Woman’s Education: The Road from Coorain Leads to Smith College
by Jill Ker Conway
Copyright (c) 2001
ISBN13 9780679744627
Page Count: 143
Genre: Memoir/Autobiography
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