Empowering Southern Women Writers
RealSouthernWomen stands as a beacon for those who value storytelling through the written word. Driven by a passion for the South's rich tapestry and diverse narratives, we specialize in capturing the heart and soul of Southern women writers. Our women empowerment blog celebrates these voices, highlighting their inspiring stories and contributions.
Literature That Empowers
We are proud to collaborate with some of the South's most talented and visionary women writers. Their lived experiences infuse our pages with profound insights and captivating storytelling, enriching the literary landscape.
Author Biographies
Our collective of Southern female writers are dedicated to bringing stories to life with a distinctive narrative style. Specializing in fiction, non-fiction. This group of talented storytellers captures the essence of Southern life, engaging readers and captivating audiences with their authentic and compelling voices.
Kathryn L. Nasstrom
Everybody's Grandmother & Nobody's Fool:
Kathryn L. Nasstrom
Frances Freeborn Pauley, a white woman from the segregated South, dedicated her 94-year life to fighting discrimination, racial injustice, and poverty. A prominent civil rights activist and advocate for marginalized communities, Pauley was known for her tenacity, storytelling, and skillful political organizing. Her work brought her into contact with notable figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Georgia's civil rights-era governors. Pauley championed community mobilization, poverty education, and lobbying for social change. Kathryn L. Nasstrom, an Assistant Professor of History at the University of San Francisco, uses oral histories to capture Pauley's impactful life and words in Everybody's Grandmother & Nobody's Fool.
Kate Stone
Brokenburn: The Journal of Kate Stone, 1861-1868
Kate Stone, a young Southern woman, chronicled her
Civil War experiences in a vivid journal that offers a poignant glimpse into a vanished way of life. Beginning in 1861 at age 20, Kate documented life at her family’s Louisiana plantation, their flight to Texas during the war, and their return to a devastated home. Her entries, spanning through 1865 with later reflections in 1867 and 1868, detail plantation management, relationships with enslaved individuals, civilian morale, and the struggles of refugees. With unflinching honesty and striking clarity, Kate Stone captures the resilience and hardships of the South during its most challenging era.
Susie Mee (editor)
Downhome: An Anthology by Susie Mee
This collection of short stories by various Southern women writers celebrates the rich legacy of the American South. Curated by Susie Mee, the anthology explores themes of memory, family, relationships, and place, capturing the essence of "downhome" living. Divided into sections like Growing Up, Kinfolk and Courtship, and Passing On, each story reflects the diverse voices and experiences of its authors while honoring the shared heritage of Southern storytelling. With an introduction by Mee, this anthology offers a heartfelt tribute to the traditions and memories that shape Southern life.
Gail S. Murray (editor)
Throwing off the cloak of privilege
Edited by Gail S. Murray, this collection of essays highlights the courageous efforts of women and organizations in challenging prejudice and discrimination. Through profiles of individuals and groups like the YWCA and the Women's Emergency Committee to Open Our Schools, the essays explore the power of female support networks, the impact of African American mentors, and the social risks of opposing white supremacy. Drawing on personal letters, oral histories, and organizational records, the book offers valuable insights into biracial activism and white anti-racism, contributing a vital perspective to the ongoing fight for human dignity and equality.
Margaret Ripley Wolfe
Daughters of Caanan
Margaret Ripley Wolfe’s Daughters of Canaan provides a comprehensive historical account of Southern women’s experiences across centuries. From Native American, African American, and white women in the Tidewater and Appalachia regions to the Mississippi Delta and Gulf Coastal Plain, Wolfe examines their diverse lives, roles, and struggles. She explores critical eras, notable figures, and groups like pioneers, suffragists, and civil rights activists, while addressing the societal constraints of race, class, and the enduring myths of the "southern belle" and "southern lady." Highlighting both challenges and progress, Wolfe’s work captures the South as a land of promise and perseverance, making it essential reading for those interested in Southern and women’s history.