The Hungry Heart: A Woman's Fast for Justice

by Zoe Nicholson

Zoe Nicholson's The Hungry Heart is her intimate daily diary of her 1982 fast for the Equal Rights Amendment, including 50 photos. Joining with 6 women, traveling to Springfield, Illinois, living on water only; Zoe sat in the eye of the political storm and searched for spiritual insight. She wrote about it all from Phyllis Shlafly to Governor James Thompson, Mahatma Gandhi to Dick Gregory. Historical and inspiring, she writes from the heart with intimacy and humor.

Genres: Feminism

162 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2004

About the author

Zoe Nicholson has been standing in front of a room and in the public square with one message, WAKE UP. And with each day, each event, each year, waking up to something new has led to a dynamic life that unfolded sharply, quickly, deeply. Marching against the Vietnam War in 1968; organizing opposition to the California Briggs Initiative, working in the American Women’s Movement, fasting for the ERA; NOW liaison for the National Equality March. In the middle of these decades of activism, Zoe formally studied Buddhism for 12 years and was initiated as a Buddhist monk and teacher, January 24, 1989. Leaving the ashram and silent meditation, she continued her passionate practice as an Engaged Buddhist.

Along the way, Zoe has advised fasters and those risking arrest, always steadfast in embracing non-violent direct action. She is inspired by Alice Paul, Grace Lee Boggs, the 13 Grandmothers and His Holiness the Dalia Lama. Speaking to one or 10,000, from Texas A&M to Purdue about life as prayerful practice, her spirit is always available, her meditation is activism. Using social justice, equality activism and servant-leadership, Zoe continues her lifelong call to Occupy Self, Occupy Service, Occupy Compassion

Reviews

[Frances Donovan]

"Just a few months ago I met a twenty year old man who was standing on a picket line outside of a grocery store. [...:] He told me that [...:] he wondered if the strike was working at all. I told him that it really doesn't matter. What really matters is that this strike will change him. He will know for the rest of his life that he can choose the hard road if it is the right road. He will know that he can get by on less, maybe risk the immediate future, and survive. He will know for the rest of his life, what it is to stand and demonstrate his beliefs. He is changed forever. That is the true significance of the strike for him." (p. 160)

[Amy D.P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A personal narrative of one woman fasting to get the ERA passed. It is nice to hear a queer woman's voice in regards to a feminist issue during a time when queer women were deemed "a lavender menace." A big thank you to Zoe for her fight for feminist and queer rights.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoe Nicholson is a veteran of feminism's Second Wave who harkens back to the First, yet has her arms wide open for the Third, Fourth, and others yet to come. This is her account of her 1982 fast for the Equal Rights Amendment, and a more vital and essential account of that time in American history would be hard to find. Highly recommended.