So Long, Status Quo: What I Learned from Women Who Changed the World

by Susy Flory

Susy Flory's life was a lot like her couch--comfy, slumberous, and safe. She was a happy suburban wife and mom who enjoyed her couch-like cocoon and avoided suffering and uncomfortable situations at all costs. Then she met Rosie... Eleanor...Elizabeth...and Jane. Now, her life will never be the same. So Long, Status Quo is the powerful story of how nine amazing historical women inspired a suburban mom to abandon her safe, sheltered, vanilla existence for a life of passion, service, and significance. With challenging insight and honesty, Susy Flory shares about her struggles with selfishness and complacency and tells how the lives of these fascinating women challenged her to get up off her couch and embark on a quest for something more. Venturing into unusual and even dangerous places, she followed their example and found herself working alongside local immigrant farm workers, serving needy children on a secret humanitarian mission to Cuba, feeding homeless people at midnight, helping to reach out to sexually trafficked teens, and selling her jewelry to fund freshwater wells in Darfur, Sudan.

Inspiring, convicting, and transformational, So Long, Status Quo challenges women to examine their lives and answer this what are you doing to get God's work done in the world? Whether it's by sharing your faith like Perpetua or getting your hands dirty like Rosie the Riveter, Susy's story invites women of all ages to say goodbye to their old, couch-comfy lives and become women who make a difference in their world.

Genres: Feminism

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2009

About the author

Susy Flory is the New York Times bestselling author or co-author of 18 books, director of West Coast Christian Writers, and founder of Everything Memoir. Her book, The Unbreakable Boy, was made into a feature film starring Zachary Levi and Patricia Heaton, and released across the country by Lionsgate Studios.

A graduate of UCLA, Susy has a background in journalism, education, and communications; she is currently in a doctoral program at Houston Theological Seminary. Susy loves reading and writing stories about unforgettable people who are living lives of adventure, courage, hope, redemption, and transformation.

She first started writing at the Newhall Signal with the legendary Scotty Newhall, an ex-editor of the San Francisco Chronicle and a one-legged cigar-smoking curmudgeon who ruled the newsroom from behind a dented metal desk where he pounded out stories on an Underwood Typewriter.

Susy's first book, Fear Not Da Vinci, was co-written with Gini Monroe with contributions by Ward Gasque, and published in 2006. Other books include So Long Status Quo: What I Learned from Women Who Changed the World (Beacon Hill, 2009); Miracle on Voodoo Mountain (with Megan Boudreaux, Harper Collins, 2015); and The Sky Below, a memoir with NASA Hall of Fame astronaut Scott Parazynski.

Susy's runaway bestseller, Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero written with Michael Hingson, hit the New York Times bestsellers list in both hardcover nonfiction and e-book nonfiction the first week of release. Thunder Dog has also been adapted for the stage, optioned for film, and translated into over 15 languages, including German, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, and Chinese.

Her most recent book. Sanctuary, is a love letter to Ireland. Co-authored by Patrick Barrett, this unique title tells the story of Ireland's Donkey Sanctuary, and how the donkeys saved Patrick's life.

A breast cancer survivor of four gnarly surgeries, Susy celebrates life by chasing great stories in places like Cuba, Haiti, Turkey, Israel, and her own backyard. She's written with celebrities, heroes of the faith, athletes, explorers, and the girl (and boy) next door She loves riding a crazy ex-racehorse named Stetson, hiking in the High Sierras, and skiing black diamond runs whenever she can.

Reviews

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I picked this book up, I wasn't really considering it part of my Lenten reading, but it turns out it was a great additon to my Lent. So Long Status Quo What I Learned from Women Who Changed the World covers nine women who have lived during different eras. The author, Susy Flory, starts each chapter with a story from her (Flory's) life, then tells about the woman who is the subject of the chapter and finishes the chapter with concrete suggestions about how to take this woman's example and translate it into action in your life. The women she covers are Harriet Tubman, Saint Perpetua, Blessed Mother Theresa, Eleanor Roosevelt, St. Mary Magdalene, Rosie the Riveter, Elizabeth Fry, Queen Elizabeth I and Jane Austen.

As an example, in the chapter on St. Mary Magdalene, she starts with a story about overhearing the woman next to her at the pool while she was on vacation. She thought the woman was talking to her, but it turns out, she was talking on her cell phone. She talks about Facebook and Twitter and our "plugged in" society. Next, Fory talks about what we know of Mary's life, and how she is often confused with other Marys or women. As a response, Flory chose to spend a day in silence, quoting St. Teresa of Avila who said "Settle yourself in solitude, and you will come upon Him". She tells us how the day went and then, at the end of the chapter, gives suggestion on "How you can help change the world by practicing solitude". She suggests spending a day not talking, signing up for a silent retreat or planning your own mini-retreat including a visit to a nearby park, lake or river, with Bible and journal in tow.

There as a lot I liked about this book. There were also things I disliked. The chapter about St. Perpetua talked about sharing faith with pagans and one of the "pagans" (no she didn't use that word except in the chapter title) was a woman who "had a Catholic background but knew more about the church than about the Bible". Of course she doesn't mention that without the Church, there is no Bible. Also, the subtitle to the chapter on Queen Elizabeth I was "How I Learned to Respect Other Christians, Like Queen Elizabeth I" Elizabeth sort of tolerated Catholics, if they weren't too obvious in practicing their faith, until she perceived them to be a political threat, at which time she persecuted them. Flory talks about Elizabeth wanting a church that would appeal to both Protestants and Catholics. She also mentions the Spanish Inquistion and contrasts it with Elizabeth's treatment of Catholics. I'm not denying that Elizabeth was a great ruler and I'm not denying that her treatment of Catholics may have been better than the treatment some Protestants got elsewhere, but I question upholding her as an example of religous tolerance. Also, Flory's suggestions for that chapter include visiting other PROTESTANT churches and enjoying the different approaches to worship. I'd like to invite Flory to her local Catholic church to experience the Real Presence of Christ.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Susy’s book, “Thunder Dog” and meeting her at our book club, I wanted to read her other books so I started with this short one on 9 courageous, world-shaking women. I already admired Harriet Tubman, Mother Theresa, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosie the Riveters, and Jane Austen. In these pages I learned about Perpetua, Queen Elizabeth I, and Elizabeth Fry of whom I knew very little or nothing at all. A small, but distracting “speed bump” for me were the subtitles: “How I [did something] like [woman being written about]. There was something that bothered me about comparing a small thing you do to the great women of history. For example: one day of fasting or foregoing an expensive meal to donate the money to a homeless shelter doesn’t equal and make you “like” Mother Theresa. “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” Proverbs 27:2 That being said, we have to start somewhere and as mentioned in the final culminating chapter, “what I found was this: the women who changed the world were like you and me.” This was an interesting and simple read to introduce you to some of my heroes of courage and service. It wasn’t my favorite book but it is worth a read. (Then read “Thunder Dog.”)

[Kelly Funk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiritually uplifting.  The perfect book to begin the new year.  So Long, Status Quo aligns your spiritual beliefs with those of famous women throughout history and ends each chapter with a list of small deeds you can do right here in your own community to start impacting the lives of those around you.  It doesn't matter your creed or denomination, how you were brought up, or where, or even if, you worship in a structured setting.  If you want to find yourself closer to God through giving of yourself, So Long, Status Quo is the kickstart you need to stop dreaming and start doing. 

[Wendy Macdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Long, Status Quo by Susy Flory was a fun and informative read. It has inspired me to continue challenging myself to do things outside my comfy-couch zone. Her stunt memoir not only taught me more about famous women, it showed me little and big ways I can have a positive influence right where I live.
Her honesty made her writing relatable and comforting. If she can be brave, so can we.

[Leanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hesitated to give this 3 stars. I thought that the book had a great approach and I love a book that causes me to self reflect, but I just had difficulty connecting some of the thoughts. It started out strong and then lost me before the end.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to and for my daughter and was also educated further about historically important women I thought I’d previously understood

I’d have fun reading anything by the Susy, who is extraordinarily intelligent, well studied in her subjects, and joyful in her writing

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Can I say it again? Wow. This. Book. Is. Amazing.

Have you ever felt like your life is on the verge of being stale? I have. It's totally the norm nowadays to sit at home on the couch watching Lost (oh the GUILT!), talk ourselves out of helping others (won't someone else do it?), and watch time fly by as we get into our own personal routines. We tend to limit ourselves, it's true.

"...this is the story of how, slowly, I began to get up off the couch of my boring, safe, sheltered, vanilla existence to something more real, sharper, in focus. Rosie led the way. Along came Eleanor, and Jane. Then Harriet, Elizabeth, and more. These women became mentors calling me to a different kind of life. Passionate for change, each woman sacrificed money, love, comfort, time, and ultimately self to make a difference to thousands, maybe millions of people." - pg 18

So Long, Status Quo chronicles Susy's personal experiences challenging herself to shake things up in her life. Her inspirations were women in history who weren't afraid to change the world and acted selflessly - Harriet Tubman, Mother Teresa, Eleanor Roosevelt (my personal favorite), Rosie the Riveter, and Jane Austen are a few.

This book is so inspiring! I didn't even realize how flat I had let my life become until Susy challenged me to evaluate it. The great thing about this book is that Susy shows us how we can change things and help others in small, underwhelming ways - and it's not as painful as it sounds at first! I don't know about you, but I'm intimidated when I think of trying to compare to Harriet Tubman or Mother Teresa. Really, what is there that I can do that could ever measure up? I don't kid myself that I would be that brave in the situations Harriet Tubman found herself in. She was selfless - I am not. I realized after reading So Long, Status Quo that I don't have to compare to these great ladies, but I can use them as models and be inspired by them. I can do what I can to help and find my own niche. See what God has in store for me. Even if it's just helping at my local church and being there for my family, that's something!

Susy is refreshingly honest.

"I love my couch. It's covered in a squishy, soft, velvety material the color of oatmeal laced with honey, and the cushions are fat." - pg 13

"My secure couch cocoon was really a picture of what I had let my life become. Lethargic, sleepy, with a love for security and for comfort, I lived for self. I avoided suffering at all costs. I didn't want to ever do anything uncomfortable. I think I was addicted to comfort." - pg 15


I don't know about you, but that makes me think. Am I addicted to comfort? Um, yes.

I love the way Susy shares her heart. This book is SO easy (even *gasp* FUN) to read and apply to your life. Not only that, but I learned a great deal about the women who "mentored" her. After reading So Long, Status Quo, I decided I had to read Eleanor Roosevelt's autobiography. I'm wondering if I can find out what made her tick, what drove her to do the selfless things she did. In short, I'm feeling driven to find out what they had in their lives that I'm missing in mine.

A few of Susy's very thought-provoking challenges:

♥ Make an inventory of your possessions (she shares her list and her eye-opening realizations). Harriet Tubman gave everything she had away.
♥ Try fasting from something important to you (television, sugar, etc). Mother Teresa practiced self-denial.
♥ Help out at a soup kitchen or take time to greet the homeless. Elizabeth Fry bravely faced the horrors of Newgate Prison and helped to change it over time.

Seriously, I have not words enough to convince you that you should buy this book. This review is just not adequate. So Long, Status Quo is dynamic, an inspiration, and a book I will be recommending to my friends, my family, and people on the street.

Note for Susy:

Thank you, Susy, for encouraging me to get up off my couch and "start a little adventure". I haven't done much yet, but I am so inspired! I know that you are going to bless a lot of people through this book. Thank you for courageously stepping forward (getting off that soft, comfy couch) and writing it!

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each chapter begins with a personal experience of Susy Flory (the author); many times an encounter with someone that causes her to reflect on her life. Then each chapter continues with writing about an individual woman whom Flory feels has changed the world for the better. Her women include: Harriet Tubman, Perpetua, Mother Teresa, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mary Magdalene, Rosie the Riveter, Elizabeth Fry, Queen Elizabeth I and Jane Austen. Each chapter concludes with Flory trying to be more like the woman she has described and giving practical suggestions for each.
There were times in the book that I thought that Flory was ecumenical and respectful of other faiths. She made a positive reference to confession ("It's such a relief."), she went on a fast and gave scriptural references to the practice and she devoted an entire chapter to Mother Teresa.
But then there were times she showed she doesn't fully understand other faiths. She mentions a woman with a Catholic background that was "hungry for the truth". When she makes suggestions to change the world by respecting other religions she specifically says "periodically worship in different Protestant churches around the area". She fails to suggest Catholic churches or non-Christian faiths. She also calls the 39 Articles of 1563 "a legal compromise between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism". I don't see laws instituted by a monarchy as anything resembling a compromise.
Overall, it was a good book though and one that makes a person think about their lfie and how they can better the world one small step at a time.

[Christy Trever · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Long Status Quo by Suzy Flory is an intriguing book about getting out of your comfort zone and moving into the Spirit. I tend to read a lot of inspirational books, but I can only think of a handful that have actually changed my life in a real way and left lasting change. Flory was much like that, comfortable in her life, happy with her family and career, and enjoying all that she had. Admittedly, that's a feeling many people are never able to achieve, but she realized that contentment wasn't enough; she wanted more, to be more. She sought out biographies about famous (and some not-so-famous) women who had a single definable characteristic: faith, devotion, humility, etc and then set out to emulate that trait in a small way. After reading about Mother Teresa's vow of poverty, Flory fasted for 24 hours just to get a taste of going without. Eleanor Roosevelt sent her to Cuba, and Harriet Tubman to sell her jewelry for wells in Darfur! Each woman Flory writes about did something amazing and awe-inspiring with their life, and while most of us are incapable of that kind of world impact, as Mother Teresa said: We feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if that drop was not in the ocean, I think the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. At the end of each chapter Flory offers suggestions for readers to stretch their own limits and become more than who they are. This would be perfect for book groups; I wish I had one to read it with!

[Janna Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"So Long, Status Quo" is the kind of book that you should buy for birthday presents for people you know, give as Secret Sister gifts, Mother's Day presents, graduation gifts and pretty much any excuse you can think of to pass this book onto a girl/woman in your life that needs a little encouragement. I personally have already recommended it to the homeschool moms I know to use in school (and just found out that Suzy has put together a reader's guide to use with the book that makes a great educational enrichment) and loaned my copy to my mom. She in turn has started recommending it to ladies at our church.

Here is the set-up of the book...
It starts with a little peek into Suzy's personal life that reveals some area of her life that she is lacking in or needs work on (an overflow of material items or lack of sympathy for the children of the world) and then she delves into the biography of a woman that made an impact in that particular area. Following the biography she then figures out a way to make that relevant to her life and somehow implements it. She rounds out the chapter with some ideas for how you can do something in that area of your life.
This is a great book that kept me absolutely captivated the entire way through and while I normally plow through non-fiction at a slow pace - I breezed right through this book because I just loved it.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book I was really looking forward to reading. And while I mostly liked it...I was somewhat disappointed. I LOVED reading the history of the women featured. That was so interesting, humbling and inspiring. However, I did feel that some of the author's applications were a little contrived at times...as though she was trying to fit stories from her own life into the mold of her book idea...and they just didn't fit. Anyway, I would still recommend it. If nothing else, it gets your mind thinking about various AMAZING women of the past and how their stories can be a springboard for your own present and future.