About the Author

Hello, Dear Friends:

In 2016, like millions of others here in the United States, I listened to the debates between the Presidential candidates, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Donald J. Trump. In one instance, when Secy. Clinton made a particularly strong point, Mr. Trump uttered, “She’s such a nasty woman, isn’t she?” Perhaps some of you recall. That comment gave impetus to this website and blog. To be denigrated in such a way was nothing new for Secy. Clinton, nothing new for women in politics or business, and, as I realized, nothing new for powerful women throughout history. All the way back in time.

The first great woman ruler in recorded history was Hatshepsut of Egypt (15th Century BCE). Despite her successful reign of 15 years, after her death, her name was removed from the Egyptian List of Kings, and her monuments were defaced and buried. If you look at the history of women in power, you’ll see that Hatshepsut was just the first of so many.

I also noted that female goddesses were often assigned very terrible personalities and powers; hence, a section on this site is devoted to “Bad Tempered Goddesses.” (And, of course, there’s the terminology. How many ways can women be insulted? Take a look at the growing glossary, “What’s in a Name.”)

As for my own background, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and History from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a master’s in journalism from UCLA. After 25 years as a communications executive, I recently began teaching writing and other courses at the university level. I’m now shopping for an agent/publisher for the book version of Battleaxes, She-Wolves and Other Bitches. I’ll keep you posted. Another book (a novel) is in the works, based in 15th Century Venice.

I hope to see you again soon,

Tricia Hulland