My Moment: 106 Women on Fighting for Themselves

Inspired by Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony at Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings, this heartfelt collection gathers more than 100 women’s responses to the question, “What was the moment in your life when you realized you were ready to fight for yourself?” Contributors run the gamut from musicians (Brandi Carlile) to talk show hosts (Ricki Lake) and business executives, and each entry is paired with a black-and-white photo of its author. Comedian Carol Burnett recalls being told that a woman couldn’t host a variety show, while poet Maggie Smith recalls quitting her job to focus on her writing. Throughout, contributors return to the theme of “voice”: actor Rosanna Arquette learned in going public with an accusation against “serial predator” Harvey Weinstein that “every voice matters,” while Time’s Up CEO Tina Tchen says she tells younger women: “Don’t let others steal your voice.” Many of these women also speak for larger communities, including Broadway actor Ali Stroker, who takes pride in “representing the disabled community in every moment of my career.” The diversity of contributors and the tonal range of their responses (rocker Chrissie Hynde’s is just one line: “The moment I was born”) make this an uplifting compendium for women of all ages. Photos. Agent: Meg Thompson, Thompson Literary. (Apr.)