"God, when will you create a woman who will be fulfilled in herself, a full human being, not anybody’s appendage?"
A book first published in 1979 by a Nigerian author, scholar, wife (later divorced) & mother reveals a nuanced picture of motherhood that goes beyond the traditional narrative of joy & self-sacrifice that is shared in lots of cultures.

Right at the beginning of the book, we are introduced to Nnu Ego as she is literally running away from her life because fate has dealt her the worst hand possibly ever by taking away the one thing that gave her worth as a woman.

This book awakened in me a protectiveness for women & people born in female bodies that I never knew was lying dormant in me for so long. The 'age-old' conversation of idealizing 'Motherhood' as the pinnacle of female fulfillment is so needed in current times than ever especially in the current political & social climate. Motherhood is complex & not without its challenges so instead of forcing the never-ending harmful rhetorics on women, let us instead work on changing policies & perceptions sorrounding it as we seek to empower & stand in solidarity with women in whichever path in life they decide to take.