Don't Be An Athena: Women's Stories of Surviving Medical Misogyny

Athena of Greek myth was a goddess revered for her strength as much as her wit. With stern wisdom, she struck fear into enemy hearts while providing steady counsel to kin and cult alike. But in wielding her power, Athena punished a pious maiden for being raped by Poseidon. That victim mortal's name was Medusa, and Athena made her into a monster. The mistreatment of women, particularly at the hands of other women, is unfortunately not confined to ancient myth—such abuses are present in modern society as well. Author Kayla Branstetter presents a series of interviews conducted with female individuals across the spectrum of age, race, sexual identity, marital status, health, and profession to shine a light on the systems and individuals that have unjustly punished or harmed them, just as Athena did to Medusa. Manifesting most glaringly as acts—whether intentional or not—of medical misogyny and weaponized social traditionalism, Branstetter brings the personal narratives of these women to story. This book gives voice to the struggles that so many others now have, or might experience in the future, with a unifying call to action: Don't be an Athena."Branstetter’s prose is powerful on its own. And then you remember, these are true stories that the women featured in Don’t be an Athena endured. The narrative informs on a wide variety of topics like science, history, and rural life while staying true to the storytelling, and educates the reader about reproductive health through relatable stories, while highlighting adversities that open your eyes to social realities that many women face."Ian J. McCoog, author and oral historian Read more