Professional Women Who Found Their Voices Through Authorship
By Taylor Jasmine | On February 6, 2025 | Updated March 18, 2025 | Comments (0)
Women from all walks of life have turned to authorship as a medium for self-expression and social impact. They address universal issues from defining one’s identity as a woman in the world to finding the resilience to handle life’s trials and tribulations.
The literary world wasn’t always welcoming to female writers. Some wrote under pseudonyms so that their gender wouldn’t have an effect on the reception of their work. Women writers were often sidelined from prestigious awards, with the result that brilliant works weren’t considered worthy of recognition.
Authors like Jane Austen and Virginia Woolf were among those who slowly changed the face of the male-dominated publishing industry. Austen’s on-point social observations have delighted readers for generations, while Woolf’s classic feminist writings have remained relevant.
To this day, many women write about experiences close to their hearts, hoping to help others in similar situations. Here, we explore the stories of some female authors who started out in other professions, and whose words have reverberated in the reading public’s imagination.
N.K. Jemisin: Counselor Turned Bestselling Novelist
N.K. Jemisin used to work as a career counselor in Massachusetts. It was a logical follow-up to her Master’s degree in education. But in the evenings, she caught something: the writing bug. Today, Jemisin is a celebrated speculative fiction writer. Her novels challenge societal norms and champion diversity.
In The Fifth Season, one of her most popular works, humanity must figure out how to handle a relentless spate of natural disasters. It is a broken planet with a stringent caste system – a perfect backdrop for underrepresented voices in fantasy literature. Green Ronin Publishing also produces a role-playing game based on the Broken Earth trilogy.
Jemisin’s stories reflect her deep sensitivity toward social issues. Her commitment to social justice is evident in the seamless way she integrates power dynamics and oppression in her writing. Indeed, we have become so accustomed to the hierarchies in our world that injustice may not even seem apparent.
Moreover, her novels have excellent, intricate world-building. Having an immersive read in your backpack can make everything better!
Michelle Obama: From Legalese to Affirmation
Michelle Obama’s book, The Light We Carry, reveals how four words have often plagued her. She stresses how these words haunt even the most accomplished people and leave them struggling for an answer. Am I good enough?
In uncertain times when self-doubt becomes a constant companion, community support can be life-changing. In this book, the former First Lady and lawyer shares deeply personal stories that can help find resilience amid adversity.
Her works are more relevant than ever in these volatile times – an era of chaos and hardships. Consider this: An ironworker in St. Louis recently became an amputee after a horrible crane accident. It was a regular workday for him until a catastrophic crash. How can anyone emerge from something like this unless they have resilience?
Victims of traumatic incidents often find inspiration in works like Obama’s. Her words encourage us to muster courage and determination and take action to change our circumstances. For instance, the accident victim has teamed up with a St. Louis personal injury lawyer to get help with medical expenses and possible lost wages.
According to TorHoerman Law, obtaining compensation for suffering and losses in accident cases can be daunting. Legal proceedings are often complex, but having the fortitude and willingness to rebuild one’s life makes a difference.
Dr. Jen Gunter: Simplifying Health and Wellness
Dr. Jen Gunter works as an OB-GYN. Her experience in this field compelled her to make health more accessible and approachable for women – without myths and misinformation. The reproductive health realm is replete with superstitions and old wives’ tales. We need strong, science-backed voices to address concerning issues. The scope is immense, from the appropriate diet during pregnancy to understanding premature births.
In The Vagina Bible, Dr. Gunter tackles medical gaps and biases in reproductive health. She also runs a blog called The Vajenda to help improve the quality of healthcare for women.
Through her writing, she has helped many women overcome long-standing misconceptions. She also simplifies complex medical subjects so anyone can understand and take charge of their health.
Her core mission is to challenge outdated narratives and encourage women to adopt a more informed and autonomous approach to healthcare. We daresay she is succeeding – a triumph for women everywhere.
Elizabeth Gilbert: The Artist Behind Creative Nonfiction
For a long time, fiction and non-fiction remained in silos. They coexisted but never collided. Elizabeth Gilbert was one of the voices who changed that and introduced readers to a new, more engaging approach to nonfiction.
Known for her bestselling memoir Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert brought creative nonfiction to the forefront of modern literature.
Her memoir examined personal reinvention and spiritual growth after a difficult life transition. However, the open and reflective writing style resonated most with audiences.
Her book had much going for it, with vivid travel descriptions and emotional depth. The personal growth was palpable. Gilbert’s brought the destinations to life, immersing readers in sensory experiences.
The transformative journey felt personal and inspired readers to go on one themselves. It also reshaped the writing of self-help and travel memoirs..
Since then, the reading world has seen more of such purposeful, quest-driven narratives. We now intertwine emotional and physical journeys, using travel as an avenue to answer life’s unsolved questions. We have Elizabeth Gilbert to thank for this innovation in nonfiction, a gateway to draw in readers who usually prefer fictional stories.
Writing and Independent Thought
The written word has immense impact. We feel its power when we dive into Agatha Christie’s thrillers that play on complex human relationships. The magic is evident in the change writers like Mary Wollstonecraft have brought – A Vindication of the Rights of Woman demanded women’s education with the power of words.
As women redefined their professional lives through writing, they have experimented with various genres as a way to reach readers. Their books and other writings have become spaces for personal reflection and social justice, making the literary world richer for their contributions.
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