Telling my story was the most difficult task I have ever undertaken, and I did not make the decision to do so lightly. In fact, it took me fifteen years to gather the courage to tell my truth. I know that I would never have found the strength if it had not been for all of the brave women who came before me—the women who found the courage to give voice to their own truths—through poems, short stories, novels, essays, speeches, and memoirs: the women whose life lessons helped me come to understand and appreciate my own. It has been nearly a year since I sent my story out into the world. What I wished at the time was that one woman would read it, its message would resonate with her, and she would share it with another woman and begin a conversation. While I am thrilled that the book did spark such interactions, I could not have predicted what happened next. As women began to reflect upon their own life experiences, they wanted to share them—to pay it forward—to add their voices and offer their life lessons to others. As a result of this strong desire, the I Am Subject project was born. This anthology consists of 36 stories detailing women’s powerful moments of claiming themselves as subject of their own lives. Our truths do indeed matter, and when we give voice to them, we can often find support and shared community. As a result, when we heal ourselves, we often help others. I am filled with gratitude for every woman who shared her truth, and I know that within these pages you will find messages that offer hope and increased insight into your own life’s journey.
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