I Give You My Word: Women’s Letters as Life Support, 1973–1987

— A forgotten box of letters in a dark attic corner, messages from women friends written decades ago — — An intimate record of a time of great transition in how women experienced their daily lives and imagined their future —During the 1970’s and 80’s, Signe Eklund Schaefer and her young family moved often, within the United States and abroad. Handwritten letters, now relics of a pre-Internet world, were vital to her ongoing connection with friends and to her evolving sense of self. From the surprising discovery of these old letters she has woven a moving account of the reflections, mutual support and multi-dimensional exchanges between women friends, which offer a record of women’s lives five decades ago, and speak powerfully to contemporary social concerns. Exploring relationships, motherhood, children, personal development, career and friendship itself, the letters touch on the emerging women’s movement, efforts for world peace, and individual spiritual striving. The Epilogue offers new letters from these articulate and impassioned women, now in their 70’s and 80’s.

Praise for I Give you My Word

This book is an ode to friendship! I Give You My Word is a celebration of the musings, the questions, and the knowings we offer each other through words. And it is a reminder of how the words of a friend can accompany, unveil and ignite both who we truly are and who we are wanting to become. -- Jennifer Brooks Quinn, Biographical Counselor and Adult Educator

These very human voices gave rise to memories of my own along with thoughts of those things that have changed and those that have not - yet. Most of all I am left with the certainty of our need for one another and how the strength of one circle of friends, sharing the essential questions of life, has the power to reach out across the world to create more connections and to touch the lives of so many. -- Patricia Rubano, Director, Biography and Social Art Program

Imagine finding a box of old letters -- reading the exchanges between friends from almost 50 years ago and hearing your own voice back then. This book reminds readers of the joy of receiving letters, the benefits of life-long friendships, and the historic changes women were faced with in the 1970s. Lovely journey to "back in the day." -- Patti Smith, Facilitator, Center for Courage and Renewal and Center for Biography and Social Art