Essay Questions

Why did Porges write this book?

The author has stated that she was inspired by her own life experiences to write the book, which she considers to be a handbook for raising confident young women - sort of like a "Raising Girls for Dummies" reference guide. Her own path in life was not considered particularly feminine, nor was it gender appropriate in the eyes of the many men whom she encountered in her various experiences, but what it was was profoundly right for her. Porges; life was a life that was true to her own self, personality and goals, and her intent in writing this book is to give parents the tools that they need to give all daughters the benefit of what she has learned.

To what does Porges attribute her boldness in life?

Porges attended an all girls school to which she attributes both her confidence and the fact that she was able to pursue all avenues in life, and not just the one marked "girls". Because there were no boys in her school, there were no subjects for boys, or subjects for girls; there were just classes, and subjects that interested her, as well as subjects that did not. Her leaning was towards geophysics, and aeronautics, both of which were encouraged by her teachers.

Because of this positive encouragement, Porges was confident in her abilities and this confidence enabled her to navigate the almost entirely male environment of her college geophysics classes, and the professions that she went into after graduation.

Why did Porges return to her old school to become a Principal?

It was almost an act of profound giving back when Porges became the Principal of the school she had herself attended as a child. It was also a way for her to teach young women to become the young women they wanted to be, and the young women they already felt that they were, rather than the young women that societal expectation demanded. She believed that by going back to the root of her confidence and her success in life she would be able to share and spread the success she had herself enjoyed She believes that her success came from this environment and so in returning to the root, she would be able to cultivate the growth of confidence and self in others.