Why I Love Strong Women by Faith L. Justice

I read a post in a forum recently that irked me. The person was looking for historical fiction recommendations but "none of that anachronistic modern women dressed up in historical costumes crap." I don't think he was disparaging time travel fiction and, yes, I've read a few stories where the women seem to have more modern sensibilities than might be warranted. But not all strong females are anachronistic. The protagonist in my own book, Selene of Alexandria is a young woman who wants to become a physician in 5C Alexandria—not a "healer" or midwife—a trained and apprenticed physician. The poster would most likely consider her attitude and journey anachronistic, but she isn't. There is ample written and archaeological evidence of women physicians through the ages, including this period. But if you don't look outside the traditional history texts, you wouldn't know that.

When you think about what we were taught in history class, you begin to feel a little like Jane Austen's character Catherine Morland in Northanger Abbey, "History…tells me nothing that does not either vex or weary me. The quarrels of popes and kings, with wars and pestilences in every page; the men…good for nothing and hardly any women at all." That’s how most of us remember school history – boring lists of dates and battles and "hardly any women at all." If we learn about any women, it's Cleopatra who slept her way to the top, Elizabeth I with the "heart and stomach of a king," or the fictional Betsy Ross best known for her sewing skills.

I grew up with the same history books as other people, with the same sensibilities, getting only part of the story. I started to believe women did nothing in the past other than get married, have babies, and die. As an adult, I learned differently. Once I pitched the traditional texts, I found women everywhere. Women ruled countries, led and fought in armies, managed huge religious organizations, created art and literature, healed people, studied and taught math and science, traded and explored. They were also pirates, gladiators, murderers, traitors and spies. In every age, in every culture, there were exceptional women making their marks. Their stories inspired me and, if I could, I'd write about every single one who struggled in spite of her sex, class, birth and/or situation to accomplish something special. Unfortunately, I can't. But I do try to pick my favorites and bring their stories to life. I love writing about strong historical women because it helps redress the balance. But, most of all, I love writing about them because they are so damn interesting. That makes my job as a writer very easy.

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Faith L. Justice is a science geek and history junkie who has worked as a lifeguard, paralegal, systems analyst, human resources executive, college professor, freelance writer and novelist. It's not that she can't keep a job; it's that there always seems to be something new to learn. She writes in her historic land-marked home “The Suffragette House” in Brooklyn, New York where she lives with her husband, daughter and the required gaggle of cats. For fun, Faith likes to dig in the dirt—her garden and various archaeological sites.

Her first historical novel, Selene of Alexandria, is now available through several bookstores. Her second book, Twilight Empress: A Novel of Imperial Rome, won first place in the Historical category in the Maryland Writer’s Association contest. She’s currently working on two new novels—both set in the time of Imperial Rome and featuring strong female protagonists. You can read all about her at her website: http://www.faithljustice.com/.