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Just a Girl: Growing Up Female and Ambitious
Just A Girl is the sensitive, personal story of the author’s ambition to become and succeed as a scientist during the “white man in power” era of the 1950s to 2010s. In the male-dominated science world, she struggles from girlhood unworthiness to sexist battles in jobs on the farms and in the restaurants of America, in academia’s laboratories and field research communities, and in the executive corner office. Jackson overcomes pain, shame, and self-blame, learns to believe in herself when others don’t, and becomes a champion for others.
The turbulent legal and social background of sexual harassment and sexism in America over seven decades is delivered as “history with emotion.” Just a Girl is also a call to it identifies the court cases and lawsuits that helped advance the cultural changes we see today; outlines the pressing need for a Boys and Men Liberation (BAML) movement; highlights new approaches by parents; advocates for changes in our universities; and suggests a different direction for corporate America to take to stop the cycle of sexual harassment. Eye-opening and inspiring, it points the way to a brighter future for women everywhere.
The turbulent legal and social background of sexual harassment and sexism in America over seven decades is delivered as “history with emotion.” Just a Girl is also a call to it identifies the court cases and lawsuits that helped advance the cultural changes we see today; outlines the pressing need for a Boys and Men Liberation (BAML) movement; highlights new approaches by parents; advocates for changes in our universities; and suggests a different direction for corporate America to take to stop the cycle of sexual harassment. Eye-opening and inspiring, it points the way to a brighter future for women everywhere.
- GenresNonfictionMemoirFeminism
280 pages, Paperback
Published October 8, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 3, 2019
It's the culture, stupid; and that must change with all the other causal elements so women and men can live and work together in peace and harmony as whole persons. Lucinda Jackson, in authentic first person testimony, recounts the sexual attacks on her from bosses and other high ranking professionals—one after another after another after another, throughout her whole life going back into her 1950s childhood. It wasn't fun, and it wasn't pleasurable. It involved sex but it wasn't about sex—it was about raw power, bullying from a conscious or unconscious need in the aggressor to dominate and intimidate.
The author pulls back the curtain on what women and men have kept conveniently tucked out of sight for decades. The public has gotten a glimpse of it in the confirmation hearings for Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh, as well as the #MeToo movement—but this book documents the pervasiveness of this deceptive toxin throughout all corners of society, and its psyche.
Humanity (with notable exceptions such as Bhutan) has had a paternalistic structure for millennia. Only until relatively recently, accounts of events from international to personal were mostly written by men. Even writings followed today for spiritual guidance, such as the Torah, New Testament, and Koran, predominantly contain narratives with a male perspective. It is reasonable to expect that all of these foundational sources of wisdom would be more beneficial by orders of magnitude were they to have an equal mix of female and male perspective—even more so in other aspects of our contemporary life.
The pace and nature of Evolution has been invoked as a reason why we humans are not going to change in our basic nature within our lifetime. But the empirical example of Bhutan demonstrates that it's not our inherent nature that's the problem. Spirituality and seeking spiritual development is not the problem. It's our culture, and the hardness of our hearts that it imposes, that is the problem.
Economic security and physical safety cannot be ignored as critical elements in the recipe to make us whole. The culture of competition, and the abuse it inspires, feeds on the lack of this security and safety. The gnawing taunt that women are taking "my job" that men internally hear must be neutralized and buried if any progress is to be made. What is one's identity? If it's your profession alone, you have been robbed of your very self. The human in all of us must be affirmed, respected, and nurtured.
Everyone is soaked in the established culture, whether you admit it or not. Lucinda Jackson shows the way to wash ourselves of it, and dry out renewed in the clean fresh air of genuine uplifting human interaction.
The author pulls back the curtain on what women and men have kept conveniently tucked out of sight for decades. The public has gotten a glimpse of it in the confirmation hearings for Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh, as well as the #MeToo movement—but this book documents the pervasiveness of this deceptive toxin throughout all corners of society, and its psyche.
Humanity (with notable exceptions such as Bhutan) has had a paternalistic structure for millennia. Only until relatively recently, accounts of events from international to personal were mostly written by men. Even writings followed today for spiritual guidance, such as the Torah, New Testament, and Koran, predominantly contain narratives with a male perspective. It is reasonable to expect that all of these foundational sources of wisdom would be more beneficial by orders of magnitude were they to have an equal mix of female and male perspective—even more so in other aspects of our contemporary life.
The pace and nature of Evolution has been invoked as a reason why we humans are not going to change in our basic nature within our lifetime. But the empirical example of Bhutan demonstrates that it's not our inherent nature that's the problem. Spirituality and seeking spiritual development is not the problem. It's our culture, and the hardness of our hearts that it imposes, that is the problem.
Economic security and physical safety cannot be ignored as critical elements in the recipe to make us whole. The culture of competition, and the abuse it inspires, feeds on the lack of this security and safety. The gnawing taunt that women are taking "my job" that men internally hear must be neutralized and buried if any progress is to be made. What is one's identity? If it's your profession alone, you have been robbed of your very self. The human in all of us must be affirmed, respected, and nurtured.
Everyone is soaked in the established culture, whether you admit it or not. Lucinda Jackson shows the way to wash ourselves of it, and dry out renewed in the clean fresh air of genuine uplifting human interaction.
November 18, 2021
Something Everybody Should Read
In a courageous reveal of her life story, Lucinda Jackson sheds light on the shadow of a male - dominated society. Well written and researched, she documents pervasive sexism that still exists. For women and men, Dr. Jackson offers hope and advice towards working to overcome social inequality. Regarding gender disparity, she brings positive ideas about how to readjust the unfair balance of power and improve our future.
In a courageous reveal of her life story, Lucinda Jackson sheds light on the shadow of a male - dominated society. Well written and researched, she documents pervasive sexism that still exists. For women and men, Dr. Jackson offers hope and advice towards working to overcome social inequality. Regarding gender disparity, she brings positive ideas about how to readjust the unfair balance of power and improve our future.
January 23, 2020
For me, the most shocking aspect of this book is not the brutally honest revelation of non-stop sexual harassment, or the daylighting of institutional barriers impeding the ambitions of talented women -- but the sobering fact that I grew up at the same time, in similar West Coast environments as Ms. Jackson and was not even remotely aware these things were going on. As a male I lived in a parallel world.
I now wonder how many of the young women I knew in high school were hiding unspeakable torture behind their smiles. I now see why, when I first entered the same professional technical world as Ms. Jackson, there were so few women and why most of them quit after a short stint. Mostly I wonder how it was that I could not see what was going on.
Thank you, Ms. Jackson, for revealing the unseemly truth about the obstacles facing bright women in the technical world. Culture changes slowly, but this book helps.
I now wonder how many of the young women I knew in high school were hiding unspeakable torture behind their smiles. I now see why, when I first entered the same professional technical world as Ms. Jackson, there were so few women and why most of them quit after a short stint. Mostly I wonder how it was that I could not see what was going on.
Thank you, Ms. Jackson, for revealing the unseemly truth about the obstacles facing bright women in the technical world. Culture changes slowly, but this book helps.
November 2, 2019
Most women in America have been sexually harassed, but we don’t tell our stories. In the riveting Just a Girl: Growing up Female and Ambitious, Dr. Lucinda Jackson vividly describes how she surmounted harassment, discrimination, and dirty tricks on America’s farms and at top corporations to become a respected scientist and corporate leader. But rather than focusing on victimhood, she forges powerful recommendations for how women can overcome sexism and pursue successful careers in science.
Growing up in a patriarchy with parents who neither protected her nor encouraged her sense of self worth, she endured sexual harassment in a series of low paying service jobs to fund her education. Dr. Jackson’s delight at becoming the first female graduate student in a science program at a major university was quickly over shadowed by the sexism and harassment she experienced, which did not improve when she was hired as the first woman scientist in various corporate settings, underscoring the importance of fighting to maintain and enhance the legal protections we have today.
Her searing and personal vignettes describing the devastating effects of men’s efforts to keep her “silent, down, and out” underscore the importance of routing out this scourge. The betrayal and cruel savagery of people she should have been able to trust show just how dangerous the “white men in power” culture can be. Yet she persisted to achieve her dreams, rising to the executive corner office of a major corporation.
Dr. Jackson offers concrete help by coupling information on the evolving protections of our legal system with practical advice to help women pursue meaningful careers in science and business. Based on careful research, she paints the picture of the current status of women in the workplace and the academic institutions feeding it to illustrate lingering inequities. A loving parent, she also speaks to how we can free boys and men from damaging stereotypes. Readers of this book will be inspired to redouble society’s efforts to create a more fair and equitable culture for both women and men.
What if she had given up instead of courageously staying in the game? What perspective would have been missing from science? How many women wouldn’t have had opportunities because she wasn’t there to champion them? These are questions worth asking from a story worth telling.
Growing up in a patriarchy with parents who neither protected her nor encouraged her sense of self worth, she endured sexual harassment in a series of low paying service jobs to fund her education. Dr. Jackson’s delight at becoming the first female graduate student in a science program at a major university was quickly over shadowed by the sexism and harassment she experienced, which did not improve when she was hired as the first woman scientist in various corporate settings, underscoring the importance of fighting to maintain and enhance the legal protections we have today.
Her searing and personal vignettes describing the devastating effects of men’s efforts to keep her “silent, down, and out” underscore the importance of routing out this scourge. The betrayal and cruel savagery of people she should have been able to trust show just how dangerous the “white men in power” culture can be. Yet she persisted to achieve her dreams, rising to the executive corner office of a major corporation.
Dr. Jackson offers concrete help by coupling information on the evolving protections of our legal system with practical advice to help women pursue meaningful careers in science and business. Based on careful research, she paints the picture of the current status of women in the workplace and the academic institutions feeding it to illustrate lingering inequities. A loving parent, she also speaks to how we can free boys and men from damaging stereotypes. Readers of this book will be inspired to redouble society’s efforts to create a more fair and equitable culture for both women and men.
What if she had given up instead of courageously staying in the game? What perspective would have been missing from science? How many women wouldn’t have had opportunities because she wasn’t there to champion them? These are questions worth asking from a story worth telling.
September 30, 2019
Just A Girl by Lucinda
This book reached me in spirit, mind and body. I related to it on such a level that I almost felt as if she wrote the book based on my own experiences. Growing up myself in the 80’s and working in an Executive Career, in a mostly male dominant atmosphere, I understood firsthand the pain that I too experienced due to the way society viewed and treated women in the Corporate World.
From the times growing up and seeing how the male-female roles were through her parents, her mother subservient and her father a domineering and viewing women as less than men; led Lucinda to have a distorted view on a woman’s worth. Her father’s treatment of her set destiny into play on how she would accept vulgar treatment and continually blame herself for the horrible experiences she encountered in life, on the job and in marriage. Seeking love and approval and thinking she wasn’t good enough is something many women relate to at some point in their lives. When there was no equality for women and we were just seen as something to use, take advantage of or own. Slowly standards changed as women began speaking up against discrimination.
Lucinda’s story will touch your heart. It will break it, give you hope, make you angry and make you smile. It is a must read for every female, from housewives to Corporate Executives! You will be shocked and feel a bond with Lucinda like I did, one that I’ve never had with any other book ever. She is fabulous and I’m hoping to see a lot more from her!
This book reached me in spirit, mind and body. I related to it on such a level that I almost felt as if she wrote the book based on my own experiences. Growing up myself in the 80’s and working in an Executive Career, in a mostly male dominant atmosphere, I understood firsthand the pain that I too experienced due to the way society viewed and treated women in the Corporate World.
From the times growing up and seeing how the male-female roles were through her parents, her mother subservient and her father a domineering and viewing women as less than men; led Lucinda to have a distorted view on a woman’s worth. Her father’s treatment of her set destiny into play on how she would accept vulgar treatment and continually blame herself for the horrible experiences she encountered in life, on the job and in marriage. Seeking love and approval and thinking she wasn’t good enough is something many women relate to at some point in their lives. When there was no equality for women and we were just seen as something to use, take advantage of or own. Slowly standards changed as women began speaking up against discrimination.
Lucinda’s story will touch your heart. It will break it, give you hope, make you angry and make you smile. It is a must read for every female, from housewives to Corporate Executives! You will be shocked and feel a bond with Lucinda like I did, one that I’ve never had with any other book ever. She is fabulous and I’m hoping to see a lot more from her!
October 1, 2019
What an important book. The themes are so current to today and I could truly relate with the way women are treated in the workplace. Like many women, Lucinda Jackson was taught that the men are the “head of the household” and that women are the caregivers. This started the search for love and acceptance that many women seek their whole lives. Lucinda was ingrained with the thought that she wasn't good enough and that it’s okay how women are treated as less important than men.
Jackson speaks to the sexual harassment she endured and the pattern of men taking advantage of women. She talked about the way that men in powerful positions use women and treat them as expendable or weak. Now, at the peak of the #MeToo movement, Jackson speaks out in a way that I believe many women can relate to. She talks about the workplace culture and the culture of fear many women face.
Most importantly, Jackson points out why women “take it” or “don’t say something”. Many women are full of fear. We are scared that we will lose our jobs. We are scared that we will lose our reputations. We are scared of physical bodily harm like rape or abuse. We are scared that people will see it happening to use and not say something.
Jackson writes to make women feel heard. She writes with authenticity and reality and leaves the reader with hope for the future. I can’t recommend her book enough and hope everyone is able to pick up a copy!
Thank you so much to Booksparks for my ARC!
Jackson speaks to the sexual harassment she endured and the pattern of men taking advantage of women. She talked about the way that men in powerful positions use women and treat them as expendable or weak. Now, at the peak of the #MeToo movement, Jackson speaks out in a way that I believe many women can relate to. She talks about the workplace culture and the culture of fear many women face.
Most importantly, Jackson points out why women “take it” or “don’t say something”. Many women are full of fear. We are scared that we will lose our jobs. We are scared that we will lose our reputations. We are scared of physical bodily harm like rape or abuse. We are scared that people will see it happening to use and not say something.
Jackson writes to make women feel heard. She writes with authenticity and reality and leaves the reader with hope for the future. I can’t recommend her book enough and hope everyone is able to pick up a copy!
Thank you so much to Booksparks for my ARC!
April 25, 2022
This book is so important for unearthing the sexism that lurks in all levels within Corporate America. I'd highly recommend this book to other men to understand the spectrum of discrimination and harassment - from nuanced to blatantly grotesque - that women face regularly in the workplace, be it in an entry-level job or in an executive position.
Lucinda Jackson tells her story with unflinching honesty, self-reflection, humor and, in the end, optimism for how women can thrive in the workplace and society writ large. She includes a well-researched telling of the legal history of sexual harassment in America and targeted calls to action for continuing to tear down barriers for women in the workplace and raising liberated men.
My favorite part was when a manager of Lucinda's created a new requirement that to be promoted, one needs a PhD (as the only woman and one without a PhD, she was the target). Well she went out and in a brisk three years and got one, with the company paying for it! Gotta admire that grit.
Lucinda Jackson tells her story with unflinching honesty, self-reflection, humor and, in the end, optimism for how women can thrive in the workplace and society writ large. She includes a well-researched telling of the legal history of sexual harassment in America and targeted calls to action for continuing to tear down barriers for women in the workplace and raising liberated men.
My favorite part was when a manager of Lucinda's created a new requirement that to be promoted, one needs a PhD (as the only woman and one without a PhD, she was the target). Well she went out and in a brisk three years and got one, with the company paying for it! Gotta admire that grit.
December 19, 2019
Refreshing honesty
Lucinda’s bravery in sharing such intimate details about professional and personal career milestones are admirable. She captures the frustration and confusion many of us faced entering the job market in the 70’s and that sad truth not much has changed since the, advocate!
Lucinda’s bravery in sharing such intimate details about professional and personal career milestones are admirable. She captures the frustration and confusion many of us faced entering the job market in the 70’s and that sad truth not much has changed since the, advocate!
March 20, 2020
This is exactly the book everyone needs to read. For those who think sexism is a made-up issue, this book is for you. For those who think feminists are just angry man-haters, this book is for you. For those who are aware that gender dynamics have been, and still are, an issue, this book is for you. Lucinda Jackson has lived through some of the worst sexist, abusive, patriarchal behaviors, and she persevered. Her story is of being unapologetically female and ambitious. She leads the reader from her childhood, through young adulthood- finding her way in corporate America- and finally as an established, confident professional.
I found this book to be so captivating because of the appalling situations she encountered and how she found her way. You can really connect with her, feel like you're in her shoes, because she is human and doesn't hide it. She talks about times she felt weak or unsure, times she may have used bad judgment, but the underlying issue is that men in power took advantage of her. And not just her. If it happened to her, it happened, still happens, to countless women across the country and around the world.
I appreciated that she came to realize, and would always remind herself, that the bad things people, men, would do to her were not her fault. She wasn't a bad person who derserved or invited abusive behavior.
I've recently found myself feeling more ambitious in regards to the workplace, and her story is one I would like to keep in mind. Despite the numerous attacks on her and lack of support, she never lost her ambition and kept reaching for the top. She is retired now and reflects on how terrible and exhausting the corporate world (and even, nay especially, academia) was. I am fortunate to work at a time and place where rampant sexism is not tolerated, where equality and diversity are valued, and I firmly believe that we should all thank the tireless feminists who paved the way for us.
I found this book to be so captivating because of the appalling situations she encountered and how she found her way. You can really connect with her, feel like you're in her shoes, because she is human and doesn't hide it. She talks about times she felt weak or unsure, times she may have used bad judgment, but the underlying issue is that men in power took advantage of her. And not just her. If it happened to her, it happened, still happens, to countless women across the country and around the world.
I appreciated that she came to realize, and would always remind herself, that the bad things people, men, would do to her were not her fault. She wasn't a bad person who derserved or invited abusive behavior.
I've recently found myself feeling more ambitious in regards to the workplace, and her story is one I would like to keep in mind. Despite the numerous attacks on her and lack of support, she never lost her ambition and kept reaching for the top. She is retired now and reflects on how terrible and exhausting the corporate world (and even, nay especially, academia) was. I am fortunate to work at a time and place where rampant sexism is not tolerated, where equality and diversity are valued, and I firmly believe that we should all thank the tireless feminists who paved the way for us.
December 17, 2020
The term "sexual harassment" was first used in 1975. "Just a Girl" takes us on that historical journey from the 1960's through the civil rights and women's movement to the 1970's first legal cases of sexual harassment and finally to the #MeToo movement. The author's account of her own personal experiences over decades of pain and repercussions, gives tangible heat to her depression and feelings of worthlessness. On the way we see a young girl, with flickers of self-delusion, come out strong and victorious.
A scientist interested in a disciplined establishment of facts, Jackson becomes painfully aware that others deny that reality. "Did being naive and stupid give a man the right to trick me and attack me?" Jackson asks. From the perspective of the wounded who can't quite define what she is going through, we see Jackson pushing towards triumph, confidence and strength resulting from her developing a new identity she didn't think possible.
"Real life is a series of slow, small, iterative events that result in gradual change and self-awareness". This memoir will give hope and validation particularly to many who identify with Jackson's past experiences, and presents a sense of the high watermark we must have in order to pursue our personal life goals, not those dictated by others
A scientist interested in a disciplined establishment of facts, Jackson becomes painfully aware that others deny that reality. "Did being naive and stupid give a man the right to trick me and attack me?" Jackson asks. From the perspective of the wounded who can't quite define what she is going through, we see Jackson pushing towards triumph, confidence and strength resulting from her developing a new identity she didn't think possible.
"Real life is a series of slow, small, iterative events that result in gradual change and self-awareness". This memoir will give hope and validation particularly to many who identify with Jackson's past experiences, and presents a sense of the high watermark we must have in order to pursue our personal life goals, not those dictated by others
May 4, 2020
Both a good personal story and a good primer on the history and social and professional attitudes and thinking about gender. The description of the old-boys attitudes of academia in the sciences of the past decades and of corporations in the US are spot on. Anyone, aiming for a science career or one working for a large multinational corporation ought to read this. For men, would be to insure that those male-centric attitudes are assessed and known in themselves and for women it would give them a realistic idea of what might have to be dealt with and build up some radar to know when it has. Things have changed in the decades since many of Lucinda Jackson's experiences, but the vestiges of the attitudes are still around - and often not as openly blatant. Reading this raises understanding and awareness for everyone and that is a good thing.
March 15, 2021
Lucinda Jackson tells a compelling story of her upbringing and distinguished career in corporate science companies, all the while contending with and having to confront harassment behaviors from men and being one of only a few women among them through her career. That women still must work in these kinds of environments is appalling. And they do. And I have. Especially if we're ambitious. At the same time Just A Girl—Growing Up Female and Ambitious does us all a great service by compiling the introduction regulations and laws put in place to stem the tide. In the end, Lucinda’s story is not only hopeful and uplifting but a thoroughly enjoyable and great read. I will keep it as reference for a long time to come.
June 30, 2020
An eye opening read for me! I never knew the extent to and different ways in which sexual harassment affects someone. I really enjoyed the book's variety of topics on this issue -- the personal attacks against this author as a youth and an adult and the ensuing mental & life consequences, the historical view of US laws and their effects (or lack thereof) on a woman's life, experiences and tips as a mother and as a woman in STEM and FTSE 500 companies. Something for everybody! Definitely recommend this unique perspective on such a key issue.
January 10, 2022
Everybody should read this book. Harassment is real. Being conscious about it is the first step to stop it. Men a women, I encourage you to read this book and evaluate how can you help or change to be better in a very macho society
November 22, 2020
Excellent Book and perfect for anyone who is an advocate for women's empowerment. Great story and offers solutions.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews