Shut Out, Not Shut Up: Links
Articles in the series
I’m writing a series of essays about women writers who were excluded by literary gatekeepers, but who had much to say. They’re obscure not out of merit but from being overlooked.
Here, you’ll find links to the essays published so far.
Introduction to the series:
Shut out, not shut up
Every literate person is able to write, but identifying as a writer communicates more than knowing how to read and write. The self-proclaimed writer states not just their activity nor how they earn income: they’re claiming an identity. Whether bold enough to mak…
Mary Collier, the so-called washerwoman poet:
Women and labor; women and art
This essay is the first in a series called “Shut Out, Not Shut Up” on women through the ages who’ve written despite being dismissed because of their sex. They persisted. Imagine it’s early spring, and you’re walking on a lane through the countryside. You l…
Olympe de Gouges, feminist activist during the French Revolution:
Revolution for ... whom?
This essay is part of a series called “Shut Out, Not Shut Up” on women through the ages who’ve written despite being dismissed because of their sex. T…
Aphra Behn, first woman to make a career as a professional writer
The female libertine: writing unapologetically about sex
This essay is part of a series called “Shut Out, Not Shut Up” on women through the ages who’ve written despite being dismissed because of their sex. They persisted. Previous essays in the series are here. In 16…
Mary Wollstonecraft, advocate for the rights of women
Educating women: still radical after all these years
This essay is part of a series called “Shut Out, Not Shut Up” on women through the ages who’ve written despite being dismissed because of their sex. They persisted. Previous essays in the series are here. Commencement speeches typically accomplish two things and occasionally succeed in one more: con…
Germaine de Staël, an independent thinker who bested Napoleon
She will not be silenced
This essay is part of a series called “Shut Out, Not Shut Up” on women through the ages who’ve written despite being dismissed because of their sex. They persisted. Some books banned over the years may …
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley and her immortal take-down of male hubris
A fatal grasp for immortality
This essay is part of a series called “Shut Out, Not Shut Up” on women through the ages who’ve written despite being dismissed because of their sex. They persisted. News outlets recently reported on yet another lawless attorney indicted for attempting to overturn the 2020…
Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle and The Blazing World:
Woman unbound
This essay is part of a series called “Shut Out, Not Shut Up” on women through the ages who’ve written despite being dismissed because of their sex. They persisted. I adore the worlds that spring from Susanna Clarke’s mind. In each book, Clark…
A composite of authors in the series so far
Charlotte Lennox, The Female Quixote
Questionless
This essay is part of a series called “Shut Out, Not Shut Up” on women through the ages who’ve written despite being dismissed because of their sex. They persisted.
Jane Anger, Her Protection for Women
"You should smile more"
This essay is part of a series called “Shut Out, Not Shut Up” on women through the ages who’ve written despite being dismissed because of their sex. They persisted.
Laura Cereta, Letters
Just do better
This essay is part of a series called “Shut Out, Not Shut Up” on women through the ages who’ve written despite being dismissed because of their sex. They persisted.
Christine de Pizan, Book of the City of Ladies
Beyond social media
As its owner’s portfolio skyrocketed after last week’s election, X/Twitter witnessed an outflow of de-activated accounts. Since November 6, I’ve seen numerous complaints about loss of followers and a concurrent rise of hate speech there. This suggests the once premier social media site is experienc…
Moderata Fonte, The Worth of Women
The subversive power of women talking
At the start of my career, I worked in an industry—industrial tools and fasteners—defined by men. The company I worked for was owned by a woman. She and her husband had started the company before my time; when he died, she decided to run it herself. I’m grateful to her for giving me opportunities that shaped my career. And yet, h…
Helene Kottanner
Mary Astell
Women on trial
Women can’t be perfect enough to avoid censure over their own victimization. I would have thought, just days after the Pelicot trial and public veneration of Gisèle Pelicot’s courage, that western cul…
Hortense Mancini
Elizabeth Cary
All eyes on her
Recently, Celeste Davis explored how women were depicted in modern cinema. The answer to her question “How many female characters in the best movies of all time can be replaced with a sexy lamp?” is, predictably, dismal. A “sexy lamp” is a char…
Judith Sargent Murray, Revolutionary woman
Phillis Wheatley, genius
A sport of nature
The seeds of genius are cast haphazardly by a careless hand. While intelligence may have genetic links, the phenomenon that is genius appears unbidden, without reason, without will. But these seeds, like any, require fertile ground and nurture. We are all…
Henriette-Julie de Murat, writer of fairy tales
Anne Bradstreet, Reluctant Radical
Please leave a comment with suggestions for essays.
Thanks for reading,
