The Price and Privilege of Being a Woman : Encounters with Global Women Who Search for Justice and Compassion

Endorsements "Through gripping stories Winnie Williams provides an insightful commentary on the plight of women in diverse settings struggling to achieve their rights in the midst of oppressive cultures. With compassion and honesty, the tales are told of women fighting for their dignity while living at the margins of life. While issues of justice and equality for women have taken a back seat in times of economic and political upheaval, Winnie Williams makes a compelling case that the time has come for persons of Christian commitment to dedicate themselves to the destruction of controlling and dominating traditions that have for too long demeaned women throughout the world." Dr. Tom Graves, President, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (Virginia) "Williams' second book sheds a new light on the plight of women in developing countries. While her findings confirm our darkest fears about the state of women in the world, her clarity of vision and compassion inspire us, because she goes beyond the sad statistics and external, physical conditions of these women's lives: she captures their hearts and spirits. These courageous, enterprising women who battle despair, discrimination and abuse on every front have their best advocate in Williams, who calls for a global movement of love and liberation to help them. Her book is our wake-up call: it is time to come to the aid of our sisters in distress. Every woman counts - this is the message Williams' book drives home, and therefore each one of us can make a difference." Beatriz F. Fernandez, Book Reviewer, University Reference Librarian, Florida International University "Winnie Williams gives a well-researched and accurate snapshot of the history, landscape and culture of seven countries while skillfully weaving through her writing an exposé of the sub-standard and, in many cases, sub-human treatment of women. The description of captivating scenery sharply contrasted by the underclass plight of women is startling. It highlights what Winnie Williams does so well - burn in the reader's mind the need for all people, especially Christians, to press for holistic care and concern for the oppression of women - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. In The Price and Privilege of Being a Woman you can see deeply into the author's heart as she roots out the public and hidden disgraces of the treatment of women. When the time comes that women everywhere are treated with respect, Winnie Williams' passionate quest to tell the story of oppressed women will have played a part in helping lift them to a rightful place of equality." Beverly Greer, Missions Coordinator, South Carolina Cooperative Baptist Fellowship "It was my honor to accompany Winnie Williams on her trip to Russia and watch her become involved in the lives of women. In reading this book you will become involved in their lives as well, as you listen in a poignant new way to the voices of women who courageously live in the midst of traumatic social change." Dr. Sanford Becket, Associate Director of Northstar Church Network: An Association of Baptist Congregations, Virginia "The Price and Privilege of Being a Woman is well written. Tempered with Christian compassion, Mrs. Williams, through her words, reminds us that women, like men, are created by God and therefore are to be treated with equal dignity and respect. Let us pray that if but one woman among millions chooses to stand strong with determination, she will bring new hope to those who endure their injustices with quiet humility." Jo Ella White, author of three novels, West Union, South Carolina "The Price and Privilege of Being a Woman, Winnie V. Williams' recent release, is a penetrating, personal exploration into the challenges women face in many countries. The writing is vivid, easy to read, and takes the reader into the very soul of women around the world. As in her first book, Women I Can't Forget, we see the effects, both historical and current, of patriarchy - the near-universal rule of men and disrespect for women and girls. She has lived with these women in their cramped, miserable quarters, and shared some of their suffering. She shows what Christianity has and has not done to bring more justice to the women of primitive and industrial cultures. Her discussions are never superficial, but are rich with the history and culture of each of the countries. In this book we go behind the scenes into the lives of women in Russia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Guatemala, Ecuador, Alaska, and the aborigines of Australia. This would be an excellent selection for book clubs, as well as for individual reading. A must-read for those who wish to enlarge a global awareness of the consequences of patriarchy." Mimi Haddad, President, Christians for Biblical Equality, www.cbeinternational.org "The Price and Privilege of Being a Woman is a combination travelogue, personal journal, and call to social justice for the women of the world. Across the continents and through the stories of women facing frightening challenges especially because of their gender, it will call you to action on behalf of the oppressed women of the world." Dr. Mari Gonlag, Bible Professor and Executive Director of the Center for Women in Ministry, Southern Wesleyan University, Central, South Carolina "Having traveled extensively in numerous countries of the world interviewing women of many cultures and customs, and being deeply interested in and concerned about women world-wide, Winnie Williams is an extraordinary woman who has a unique way of presenting the profiles of women in The Price and Privilege of Being a Woman. Without doubt, the eyes of the reader will be opened to a greater understanding of the international situation of women as they journey through the pages of this book. The reader, as I, will sense changes in perspective and attitude as together we are challenged by these women of courage, determination and dignity. As privileged, Christian women in the world today, Winnie urges us to recognize that 'Christianity will probably only come to these disenfranchised women when Christian women have the yearnings and longings to be God's messengers.'" Rev. Ida Mae Hays, retired IMB Missionary to Brazil; retired Pastor of Weldon Baptist Church, Weldon, North Carolina; staff of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, Virginia