Set in the world of male-dominated and highly competitive New York City publishing, “Bethann” follows in the long feminist traditions of Erin Brockovich, Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore), and Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen).
“Bethann” is the story of Bethann Dunlap, a young girl from Brooklyn, New York, who is orphaned by age seventeen. Financially destitute, and without any family or friends for help or support, she must learn how to overcome her devastating situation and survive economically and emotionally in a sexually prejudiced society.
This is the story of middle twentieth century discrimination against women and single mothers, and what the Dunlap women did to fight against inequities. Bethann Dunlap is the embodiment of a woman who refused to be a victim.
In America, in the 1950s:
- A woman could be fired for being pregnant.
- Single mothers were often coerced into putting their newborn up for adoption.
- Single mothers were often denied employment.
- Single pregnant women were often denied entry into college.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg as a young woman. Photo Courtesy of New Yorker.
But through the years activists have stood up for the rights of women in this country! In 1974, a young Professor Ruth Bader Ginsburg argued before the Supreme Court that it violated the Equal Pay Act to pay women less than men for the same work.
In 1975, Professor Ginsburg successfully argued that it was unconstitutional for public employers to require women to take an unpaid maternity leave after the first trimester of pregnancy.
The greatest weapon available for women to fight sexual discrimination is to recognize that it exists. It’s time for every woman to ban together to make any form of sexual discrimination unconstitutional and illegal. On March 8th, International Women’s Day (IWD), join the celebration for women’s economic, political, and social achievements.
“Bethann” is for any single mother because of divorce, death, or otherwise, or for any woman who has ever fought for respect and equality.
Find more information and purchase the book on Amazon
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