Ashley Judd

Autobiographies by "stars" are not my cup of tea, but I've always admired the work of Ashely Judd--both her film work and her advocacy of feminism, but I didn't know the extent of her feminist social justice work until reading this memoir (she's on the board of directors of Population Services International and recently graduated from the Harvard Kennedy School). Judd (and her co-author Maryanne Vollers) writes beautifully about the pain and beauty of her childhood and young adult years--the anger, the isolation, the dysfunction, the depression, and her road to recovery. Her description of going through a treatment program and her on-going daily practice is helpful for others on their own journey toward healing and health. If you're the type who ONLY believes in pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, this book might not be for you. But if you're working a program, on a spiritual path, or have come to question whether you can truly do it all by yourself, this book might be helpful. I was slightly worried about reading about her experiences of visiting brothels around the world where young girls and women are enslaved in the sex trade, but Judd writes about her visits and activism with such a sense of hope for real change through the implementation of practical programs to raise women out of poverty (one of the main reasons for sexual slavery) that I was left with a sense of hope for the world. I'm glad I own a copy because this is one book I'll go back to for encouragement when I need some. And I have a list of names and organizations to learn about, too. I hope Ashley Judd keeps writing and publishing.… (more)

Ok people. If you know me, you know I am a tiny bit obsessed with the Judds so when my MIL loaned this to me, I figured I'd read it and get the lowdown on life with Naomi and Wynonna.

Well, I got some dirt but it's as much about the relief work that she has dedicated her life to and that part is really interesting, especially if you can ignore the 12-step recovery program language it's all written in. I do think she is trying to be honest about her life and the choices she's made It's interesting to think about what motivates people who go into relief work. Altruism to be sure, and working for the greater good, but I'll bet there are a fair amount of folks who come from backgrounds that include neglect or abuse and are working out something of their own alongside whoever they are helping.

I also think about people who pick up the book thinking it's just about the Judds (my MIL, for example, who loaned it to me) and ended up reading about aids and prostituted women and rape and IV drug users all over Asia and Central America. I am sure it was very eye opening for her and prob. in a good way.

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