"Ludtke brings the voices of women having children on their own into a public debate from which these voices have been conspicuously absent. Interweaving their voices with her own savvy and intuitive commentary, she has written a vitally important book."—Carol Gilligan, author of In a Different Voice

Our Own Agendas is the second collection of essays by McGill women. The first, A Fair Shake, was published a decade ago. The second volume both reflects the current climate of openness and shows that many barriers remain to be challenged. Our Own Agendas makes a lively and enlightening contribution to our understanding of women's experiences and to Canadian social history.

Helen C. Krumpf is retiring after forty-two years at R.J. Mrssk Co., Inc.. This would appear to be an event of towering insignificance, since an announcement of her departure and an observance thereof arouse no interest whatsoever among her coworkers. But events totally unrelated to her are conspiring to make her retirement dinner a truly memorable occasion. For their own very different reasons, almost a thousand R.J. Mrssk Co. employees (with the notable exception of the guest of honor) will find their way to the retirement dinner. The legendary head of the corporation, Rufe Clayton, will be there. Rufe has recently been stricken with Alzheimer’s disease (having just turned eighty-one, he’s entitled). He has come to anoint as his successor Winston Thornton (Zack) Russ III, currently vice-president, Eastern area. A snafu in the system Zack Russ uses to spy on corporate headquarters causes him to believe that Old Man Clayton is coming east to fire him. He prepares an appropriate welcome. Boom-boom DeFrancesco, assistant manager accounting department, will be there. So will Marla, Sandi, Miranda, and a new hire, a dark haired lovely young lady whose name Boom-Boom has not yet learned. Trying to allocate himself equitably among these and possibly a few other ladies has caused him to forget an assignment given him by his boss, Ralph Murphy. He was supposed to arrange to get the guest of honor to her retirement dinner. Two mutually hostile groups of employees will be there- the smokers and non-smokers of R. J. Mrssk Co., Inc.. And if you don’t think they’re hostile, just keep your eye on Frank Murratta. Brand new rookies (Amanda and Adam) and seasoned veterans (Tina and Sam), extra-marital players/ office affairs division will seize the opportunity presented by this company sanctioned night out to do their thing. The serenely beautiful fruitcake, Myrna Gulinski will be there with her adoring housemate/ husband to be, Ted Glump. And apprentice human being , Gwendolyn Glump, whom fate will unexpectedly tap for a starring role in the nights festivities. And not one, but two, major television networks will be on hand to cover the proceedings. This is because of a hot rumor that the retiring Helen C. Krumpf is the first (of fourteen) wives of television superstar, Jackie Mervin. And, the rumor goes on to say, they are getting back together. Television personalities Paula Cantwell and June Peterie will be on hand to cover this breaking story for their respective networks. Alas, Jackie Mervin will not be in attendance. There is no truth to the rumor regarding him and Helen C. Krumpf. In fact, even as the guests begin to arrive at the retirement dinner, Jackie is in a west side chapel marrying his latest (and truest) love, Hokie the Hack. But the evening will be anything but a wasted trip for the television personalities, their camera crews, and their nationwide audiences. There will be more than enough that is eminently newsworthy to justify their presence. And, in what will turn out to be of particular interest to June Peterie, Sam Chess, engineering department, R.J. Mrssk Co., Inc. will be there. Sam has long been obsessed with June Peterie, and he will take the opportunity presented to him tonight by fate to lay to rest certain concerns he has had regarding her. It is Friday evening, September 8th, and close to a thousand employees of the R. J. Mrssk Co., Inc. head to the Commodore Hotel. You might want to come along.

Homespun Cuisine, Health, Romance, Etiquette. Raising Children and Farm Animals This wonderful book is a reprint of ""Our Own Book"" first published in 1888. Over 600 Victorian era food recipes including Boiled Bullock's Head, Economical Veal Soup, Beef Balls, Frizzled Beef, Knuckle of Veal, Brooklyn Cake, Good Girl's Cake, Railroad Cake, Isinglass Jelly, Gruel, Calf's Foot Jelly, Invalid Apple Pie, Hasty Pudding, Flannel Cakes, Queen Pudding, and Fried Mush. Make your own barn paint, indelible ink, ginger beer, shaving soap, waterproof glue, cologne, violin varnish, and more. How and when to take a bath. What to feed sheep. Answers for all of life's challenges as a Victorian person. Paperback book 334 pages.

In walked a handsome young man, sized up Giaand Ron. His Dad said Gia's beautiful he's crazyshe's damn gorgeous! He's been sent to keep an eyeout for the two, can't tell them yet. His Dad said, takeit nice and easy. This is a big favor to the big guy, Matteo De Ventino, seeing Gia it will be easy.a double wow and him a confirmed bachelor.Then went into his act, "May I ask what the hell you're doing in my lodge?"Whew! What a grouch thought Gia, answeredhonestly. "We have permission from Scott Curtis-Jones, Sr.! Here's his key! May I ask who the hellare you?"He grinned, she's a spunky one, dangled his key, "I'm Scott Curtis-Jones, Jr.!""Ron lets get our bags, hit the road quick! He's trouble seeing he doesn't know about us!"Scott stopped them. "Wait a minute! Not RonRonchetti and Gia DeVentino?""Let's get the hell out of here Ron, quick!" Gia yelled."Stop this minute!" Scot shouted. "I won't harm you. Dad and Matt told me about

Boys strapped to carpet looms in India, women trafficked into sex slavery across Europe, children born into bondage in Mauritania, and migrants imprisoned at gunpoint in the United States are just a few of the many forms slavery takes in the twenty-first century. There are twenty-seven million slaves alive today, more than at any point in history, and they are found on every continent in the world except Antarctica. To Plead Our Own Cause contains ninety-five narratives by slaves and former slaves from around the globe. Told in the words of slaves themselves, the narratives movingly and eloquently chronicle the horrors of contemporary slavery, the process of becoming free, and the challenges faced by former slaves as they build a life in freedom. An editors' introduction lays out the historical, economic, and political background to modern slavery, the literary tradition of the slave narrative, and a variety of ways we can all help end slavery today. Halting the contemporary slave trade is one of the great human-rights issues of our time. But just as slavery is not over, neither is the will to achieve freedom, "plead" the cause of liberation, and advocate abolition. Putting the slave's voice back at the heart of the abolitionist movement, To Plead Our Own Cause gives occasion for both action and hope.

The intimate, private, and heart wrenching stories told in this book, the first of its kind in Australia, will penetrate the hearts and souls of even the most hardened reader. Told with incredible dignity and humility, each of the individual and deeply personal stories recounted is a powerful testimony to the gross inhumanity and brutal capacity of white people in Australia - colonists who selectively destroy and humiliate, without remorse, the lives and souls of their fellow black Australians. In Our Own Right: Black Australian Nurses' Stories provides a powerful catalyst for questioning and calling into question the taken-for-granted humanity of us all.