Daughters of the Moon, Sisters of the Sun: Young Women and Mentors on the Transition to Womanhood

by Linda Wolf, Wind K. Hughes

Making the transition into womanhood is a time of great potential, challenge, discovery, courage and confusion. Girls often face the journey alone, risking their sense of self and purpose along the way.

Daughters of the Moon, Sisters of the Sun provides validation, support and vision through powerful and compelling autobiographical stories gathered from more than forty teenage girls, over half of whom participated weekly in a two-year focus group. By sharing themselves intimately on topics ranging from bulimia, anorexia, body image, peer pressure and terminal illness, to empowered relationships with males, lesbianism, pregnancy, motherhood, drug exploration, sexuality, abuse and suicide, these young women explore the process of discovery, healing and developing self-esteem. Candid narratives are accompanied by interviews with accomplished women mentors.

In Daughters of the Moon, Sisters of the Sun , women and girls will recognize themselves and each other and the ageless and timeless struggle of all young women to evolve to be who and what they are.

Few books on the development of adolescent girls are compelling enough to actually be read by the girls themselves. Daughters of the Moon, Sisters of the Sun is the exception, with young women the primary audience. Professors and students of Women's Studies courses, educators, professional counselors and parents will also find here a wellspring of insight and understanding. Photographs by world-renowned photographer, Linda Wolf, elevate this book to one of absorbing beauty.

Women mentors in the book
Bella Abzug
Michele Akers
Maya Angelou
Byllye Avery
Angela Davis
Riane Eisler
Carol Gilligan
the Indigo Girls
Jean Kilbourne
Wilma Mankiller
Anisa Romero
Starhawk
Lindsay Wagner
Barbara Walker
Marion Woodman

K. Wind Hughes and Linda Wolf are co-founders and co-directors of the Daughters/Sisters Project based on Bainbridge Island in Washington State. The Project holds workshops, classes and ritual gatherings for girls and women and facilitates adolescent focus groups for both genders as well as intergenerational dialogs between teens and elders.

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1997

Reviews

[p roper]

Interesting book. I don't think it is for everyone but it does give the reader a good overall idea of the troubles teenage girls have growing up. I was at first almost shocked at how many girls experience abuse and drugs and sex at such young ages but after some reflection, it does not seem all that surprising. If you live a sheltered life, this book will be an eye opener. If you are depressed thinking about how terrible this world is, you might be surprised that these girls have such a positive outlook on life in spite of what they've been through. Ultimately, growing up is hard enough without added difficulties; it would be nice if we could somehow make the transition a little smoother for all young women (and men).