"Don't let nobody steal your joy." Essie Cableton

This book of interviews and photographs features ten Arkansas AfricanAmerican women of stature and grace, selected and documented through a community oral history project. With each story, walk the poignant path of intense struggle of their pasts, their inspiring achievements, and finally the empowerment to take hold of their destiny. They share life lessons learned along the way that helped them to weather the storms, meet challenges, and obtain justice.

Author and editor Becky Williams asked each woman to describe a life experience or crisis where she felt distressed, oppressed, hopeless or helpless; a second experience where she felt the competency and power to make decisions in her life and create more equity in her community; and what happened during her life that helped her to change. Each woman chose the experiences she wanted to share from her life.

Photojournalist Laurent Guerin illustrates daily life for each woman, with images captured in the places they live.