Why Would A Young Woman of Today Write About Margaret Willis?

Perhaps to better define the nature of feminism itself.

About the Author
Samantha Maddox, Ph.D
[ 1971 -  ]

My course of study at the University of South Carolina opened up a world to me that I do not wish to leave. My biographical studies, together with my feminist studies, enlightened me in ways that twenty years of formal education had not. Since the completion of my doctoral studies, I have written several articles about a unit I created on teaching literature of oppression and resistance.

I have also begun work with my dearest friend on a book about what feminism means for today’s young women. This project is closest to my heart; I grew up in a time when young women were still very much under the "spell" of society’s expectations of how they should look, act, and be in this world. Today’s young women are more aware of these archaic standards and they are beginning to redefine what it means to be female.

I teach high school English across the hall from my husband, who also teaches English, at Spartanburg High School. We use our school holidays to follow in the Willis tradition of exploring exotic locations; our favorite travel destination remains Italy! When I am not teaching or traveling, I study tae kwon do and kickboxing.