The Hungry Heart ~ A Woman's Fast for Justice
2nd Edition with new material including Epilogue by Sonia Johnson.
Zoe's actual diary of her 45 day event leading up to June 30, 1982, the deadline for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. It is easy to read, ideal for women's studies and women's history students who want to get inside of both the Equal Rights Amendment and the Second Wave crescendo of its deadline. Zoe writes in detail about the politics in Illinois, the nation and the women's movement.
You will feel her escalating hunger for equality, privacy, warmth and nourishment. Her book discusses the effects of fasting, the importance of pure water and marks with each day, of her 37 day fast, the actual feelings, challenges and elation. Staving off blindness, battling confusion, seeking safety and, finally, facing terrible defeat; this autobiography is intimate and intense.
Compared to Doris Stevens classic on the Nineteenth Amendment, Jailed for Freedom, The Hungry Heart follows this robust format. Both of these feminist's books offer a full historical and academic introduction on their respective amendments with personal diaries to follow; by real women who had harrowing experiences. In addition, The Hungry Heart is the quintessential book on fasting in a US progressive civil rights movement; referred to by activists for a description on the effects of fasting on the community, the media and the body.
As a teacher of U.S. Women's History, if I had to choose one book about the struggle for the Equal Rights Amendment, The Hungry Heart would be that book. In fact, if I had to choose one book which captures the spirit of the women's movement of the late 1970's and 1980's, this would be it. Nicholson's account of the Women's Fast for Justice is the most compelling and profoundly accurate I have ever read about the transformative power of non violent action for social justice and the spiritual journey of one who travels that path.
Mary Lee Sargent, Professor Emerita, Parkland College
The Hungry Heart ~ A Woman's Fast for Justice ISBN: 0-9723928-3-1
Paperback 21.95
Kindle edition 15.99
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The Engaged Heart ~ An Activist's Life is Zoe’s examined life revealed. Recapitulating her life, weaving threads and themes, she searches. Born just after the death of Gandhi, she hears an unrelenting call to service. From a Catholic vocation to Liberation Theology, from the Peace Movement to Feminism, from LGBT rights to intersectionality, Zoe is plugged into Social Justice as it unfolds throughout her 70 years. Only in conscious retrospect does she see that it is all the same – no matter the time or place, humanity longs for freedom, liberty and happiness.
Zoe’s experience confirms that change happens from the inside out. After spending almost 12 years with a controversial teacher, focusing on discipline, mindfulness and meditation, she leaves on her own terms. Never stepping away from spiritual practice, driven by her passion and hunger for justice, she embraces Engaged Buddhism. For her it means living in the world awake and involved.
Zoe has made brave choices; fasting, marching, speaking loudly for Equality. She is a teacher, activist and mentor. She is a satyagrahi, a changemaker and visionary. The Engaged Heart invites you in and sends you out inspired.
The Engaged Heart includes many of her speeches and 32 pages of photos.
The Engaged Heart is a profoundly intelligent book, written with passion and wit. Zoe Nicholson vividly chronicles her experiences as a combatant in the struggle for Equality and the book thus constitutes a virtual manual for feminist & LGBT activism, complete with defeats and triumphs, mistakes and miracles. For those who lived over the last 50 years, the book will spark wonderful memories; for those who didn’t, it might well inspire a volcanic eruption of serious commitment on the part of those of us who treasure dreams of justice. Be ready, America!
Sally Miller Gearhart, Professor Emerita San Francisco State, Author and self-described, "recovering political activist."
The Engaged Heart ~ An Activist's Life ISBN 0-9723928-4-X
Kindle edition $15.99
Paperback 24.95
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The Passionate Heart Buddhist initiations, mystical desert experiences and past life revelations, combined with ancient Tibetan meditation techniques, defined Zoe Ann Nicholson's life for eleven years. Walking in the door in 1982 as a political feminist, demanding liberation for women, Zoe meets an American meditation master who turns her world upside down. Intimately written, Zoe's brilliant story-telling invites us inside of a controversial private Buddhist community where students learn to integrate the practicalities of modern Western life with the Eastern discipline of self-discovery in search of Enlightenment.
From The Passionate Heart --
He had something I needed. He had something that was mine by necessity. He had something I had earned by wanting it so badly. I must have it. I wrote him a letter. I told him that the Goddess had told me to find the blueprints for what was to come. I knew that he had them and he was to give them to me. It was a very short letter. I was very sure. He would have to give them to me.
READ AN EXCERPT
What they are saying:
- This a story of an incredible journey, told with passion and rare honesty. Zoe's masterful writing makes it a page turner.
- Zoe has captured an essence of the innocence, idealism and hunger for liberation that is at the core of all passionate seekers. This is a true story of one student's journey of discovery.
- Passionate Heart is a fascinating, frank and revealing glimpse into the complex dynamic relationship of a student and teacher.
- This is the story of a dedicated student who was asked to write about her teacher. It was her task, her gift, her very best, offered in love.
The Passionate Heart ISBN: 0-9723928-2-3
Format: Paper Pages: 288
Paperback $21.95
Kindle edition $15.99
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Matri ~ Letters From the Mother is written in the form of twelve intimate and personal letters from the Divine Mother speaking to all women. It is not denominational, but open minds will do best. We hope that Matri, Letters from the Mother, will find its way into a purse, on a nightstand, placed on a puja, read again and again.
Ms. Nicholson has used this literary device to present what she has discovered in almost 50 years of searching. "My inner challenge was to compile all that I have learned and be as succinct as words would allow. These letters express everything I have found inspiring about being a woman on a conscious spiritual journey."
Excerpt~
Who is this Mother who has so many plans and so much to say? She is absolute consciousness, knowledge and light. She has many names; Isis, Tara, Diana, Gaia. To Hindus, she is Kali, Lakshmi and Sarasvati. To Catholics, She is the Madonna. To Chinese, She is Kuan Yin. She appears in every culture, in every age, in every dimension. She is Durga - the Mother of the Universe. She is Shakta - Life itself. She is hiding in you, waiting to be discovered.
Matri, Letters from the Mother ISBN: 0-9723928-0-7
Format: Paper Pages: 64
Paperback 8.95
What they are saying:
Dear Zoe, The staff at Yes Publishing forwarded to me your new book, Matri: Letters from the Mother. Thanks so much for sending a copy! You were channeling the heart of the universe when you wrote that book. I was very flattered that you included a quote from my book Daughters of the Goddess.I wish you the best of success with your inspiring publication. Sincerely,
Linda Johnsen, author of Daughters of the Goddess
Greetings Zoe,
I read Matri and I loved it. I can imagine what kind of world we would be living in if every woman read it and man for that matter. I really believe as many people as possible need to read your book and if we could help that become a reality in any small way our culture will be better off.
Blessings,
John English Author of The Shift: An Awakening