Carolyn Gold Heilbrun 

I received a diagnose recently that will effect my whole life, it is largely untreatable, chronic and relapsing medical conditon.  The realities of this condition and the effects on my life so far have lead me to ponder important feminist issues such has interdependence, autonomy, and suicide.  Having complete autonomy over my body, a vital part of a feminist belief system means that if I make the calculated decision to end my life that no outside force should interject: to do so would be forcing control over another, akin to assault.  

Respecting autonomy can be one of the hardest things, I know for myself it has meant asking people what they need, supporting where I can and then letting go even when I really want things to be different, this right now is how I want others to support me has I make choices in how I will live with this condition. For anyone who knows me personally and is reading this please do not be to concerned, has of this posting I do not have an immediate plan for suicide rather I consider it an option if I can no longer function in the world doing what I need to do. 

Today  I introduce to you another feminist scholar. This New York based scholar, feminist and incredibly frank women. Dr. Heilburn.  An outspoken feminist Heilbrun spent a great deal of her activism on women in academics, but also had strong opinions of motherhood and gender roles. I have determined I need to read everything she wrote.  Heilburn also believed in choice in death. She wrote about wanting to end her life at 70, before things deteriorated, she ultimately made the choice to end her own life in 2003 at 77, she was done. 

Carolyn Gold Heilbrun 

  • Blue berries

  • Red wine

  • brandy

  • Sparkling water--for a stronger drink hard selzer or for a sweeter drink soda.

I alternated ice and blue berries in the glass then smashed  the blueberries down a bit,  added one shot of Brandy and then filled the cup half and half with red wine and sparkling water. 

The idea for this drink came from a half empty bottle of wine and some blue berries about to go bad in my fringe. 

P.S 

Fun wine spritzer fact, it was decided a while ago that a white wine spritzer is a Susan B Anthony, because it will get you half way there but it is a little to pale.