Women, Their Names, & The Stories They Tell

"Women, Their Names, & the Stories They Tell" is a collection of essays by women from different cultures and age groups who discuss the psychological, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of names and identity beginning with our oldest Native American and African naming traditions and ending with the latest naming trends of Generations X and Y, including daemons, avatars, user names, initials, and their increasing awareness of the global aspects of identity. The essays indicate our sense of self is constantly evolving, and ancient naming traditions can provide a guide for the fractured self of the 21st century. References in print and online are provided to diverse topics, including psychology, race, religion, history, and even the esoteric, reflected in the 21st century through a scientific lens, so women can pursue their personal interests to enrich, and even heal, their own sense of self. The essays help bridge ethnic and religious divides by increasing understanding, emphasizing compassion, and our common humanity.