The Wisdom Trail: In the Footsteps of Remarkable Women

After hearing a talk by author, Julie Hungar, I picked up "The Wisdom Trail". Julie is co-author of two books written with Janet Lieberman, both of them trail blazers in education who have left their own footprints on the path. Julie became an early woman member of The Rotary Club and is Vice Chancellor Emeritus of Seattle Community Colleges. Janet Lieberman, has written two books on creating education pathways and is the winner of the Charles A. Dana Award for Innovation in Higher Education. Their insight into the lives of other women now in their 70's and 80's was the main key in being able to thoughtfully interview and write an inspirational interpretation of what the women faced in lives filled with and without husbands and families. The women's life roles have defined their careers as they have faced choices and their commitment to society. Not seeing themselves as exceptional women, they have received recognition for their many endeavors as they grew in wisdom. A few of Julie's favorite women that they interviewed were the following: Jean Ehrlichman, a fine pianist, who used an appreciation of music for the benefit of children, working both Washington, D.C. and Seattle, WA, to inspire children of all backgrounds. The programs are continuing to this day. Elaine Ishikawa Hayes, interred at Tule Lake, California, during WWII, who became a nurse and worked to start all-day care centers in Seattle. Ruth Lubic, still a midwife at age 82, started and continues a birthing center in MacArthur Center in DC. where she works with prenatal education for pregnant women. Dr. Claudia Thomas, who fought for equality for administrative applicants in the Kent, WA schools. She helped to start the City of Lakewood, WA, through her good works. This book serves an inspiration and incentive for women of all ages to reach out to the world around them with their expertise and growing knowledge.

The Wisdom Trail is an inspirational read. It tells the story of 22 women born before or during the Great Depression. These women grew up in a time when society had low expectations for women; those who attended college usually went to find husbands. This book details their struggles and how they overcame obstacles to become well-respected, productive, and committed leaders in their communities and/or fields. It certainly puts some of the day to day struggles women face today into perspective.