1. Women Empowerment Taylor Timmons

2. Sue Monk Kidd (1948- present) Influenced by Thoreau's Walden and Kate Chopin's The Awakening Began her career writing nonfiction inspirational pieces Many she published in Guideposts Magazine feminist spirituality and spiritual journey God's Joyful Surprise (1988) The Mermaid Chair in 2005 Google Images

3. Alice Walker (1944- present) Blinded her in one eye Active in environmental, feminist/ women causes Rape, violence, isolation, troubled relationships, multi- generational perspectives, sexism and racism The Color Purple (1982)- Pulitzer Prize The Temple of My Familiar (1989) Possessing the Secret of Joy (1992) portrayals of the African American woman's life and often in other periods of history Google Images

4. Kate Chopin (1850–1904) Born in St. Louis Missouri Wrote two published novels and about a hundred short stories in the 1890s At Fault (1890) The Awakening (1899) Her short stories were published by some of America's most prestigious magazines between 1892 to 1895 Vogue, the Atlantic Monthly, Harper's Young People, Youth's Companion, and the Century. Most of her fiction is set in Louisiana Best-known work focuses on the lives of sensitive, intelligent women Google images

5. The Secret Life of Bees Written in 2002 Made into a movie in 2008 Major Characters Lily Owens T. Ray Rosaleen August May June South Carolina in 1964

6. Lily longed for a mother Neglectful and abusive father Power of a female community Boatwright sisters Daughters of Mary encouragement, love, happiness, support, and became stronger as a woman

7. All from Google Images

8. The Color Purple Written in 1982 Movie- 1985 Setting- rural Georgia between 1910- 1940 Characters Celie Mr. Shug Sofia Nettie

9. Abused by all the men in her life Caused feelings of worthlessness and resulted in constant obedience to men These women she encounters provide a representation of strength, independence, intelligence, and a voice Now independent financially, spiritually, and emotionally Stands up and curses Mr. Begins pants business Nettie returns from Africa

10. All from Google Images

11. The Awakening Written in 1899 Setting- 1899 in New Orleans Industrial Revolution and the feminist movement Quest for independence and self-fulfillment Characters Edna Pontellier Léonce Pontellier- husband Robert Lebrun- Edna’s true love Mademoiselle Reisz- musical muse Adèle- folloes duties as a wife and mother Alcée Arobin- has an affair with

12. Vacationing for the summer on Grand Isle Met Robert, Mademoiselle Reisz, and Adele Robert flees to Mexico because he felt their relationship was doomed Edna and the family return to New Orleans She starts to isolate herself from society and motherhood While her husband is on a business trip and the children are gone, Edna moves into another house and begins an affair with Alcée Arobin Robert returns to New Orleans

13. Adele had complications in childbirth, Edna visits When she returned, Robert left a letter and left Edna returned to the island, and allows herself to be overtaken by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico A cowardly surrender or a liberating triumph? Edna’s Awakenings conversations with Adèle remind her of her long-repressed passions Robert Lebrun’s flirtations with Edna cause her to desire more independence from her husband Mademoiselle Reisz’s piano playing serves as artistic inspiration Edna swims in the ocean for the first time leading her on her self- fulfillment journey

14. Work Citied Burling, William J. "Review: Secret Histories. Secret Lives." Jstor. SF-TH Inc, Nov. 2007. Web. 17 May 2011.. Cheung, King-Kok. ""Don't Tell": Imposed Silences in The Color Purple and The Woman Warrior." Jstor. Modern Language Association, Mar. 1988. Web. 16 May. 2011. Flanagan, Mark. "Sue Monk Kidd Bio - Biography of Sue Monk Kidd Author of The Secret Life of Bees." About.com Contemporary Literature. Web. 15 May 2011.. Koloski, Bernard. "Kate Chopin: Her Novels and Stories." Kate Chopin: The Awakening, The Storm, Stories, Biography. Kate Chopin International Society. Web. 15 May 2011..

15. Lewis, Jone Johnson. "About Alice Walker." Women's History - Comprehensive Women's History Research Guide. Web. 15 May 2011.. Ringe, Donald A. "Romantic Imagery in Kate Chopin's The Awakening." Jstor. Duke University Press, Jan. 1972. Web. 17 May 2011. Tucker, Lindsey. "Alice Walker's The Color Purple: Emergent Woman, Emergent Text." Jstor. St. Louis University, Apr. 1988. Web. 17 May. 2011.