Jerri Blair asked Connie Johnson Hambley:

Does the perception of the people around on of the strong women you write about have any impact on the measure of her strength? I guess it's sort of like a variation on the tree falling in the woods. Does strength seen by others matter more than strength known only to the actor?

Connie Johnson Hambley I love this question. I believe that a woman perseveres regardless if there is an audience to witness her feat. That said, if the woman is surrounded by people who need her - like children - a reserve of strength is opened that surprises even her.

I explore the concept of strong women because the questions you ask fascinate me. Most women I know do not recognize much of what they do as being "strong."

Recently, my 86 year-old mother-in-law entertained and cooked for 14 Thanksgiving guests. Big deal? She did this while in casts for two broken bones. Certainly there were many hands to help her, but she was the captain of the kitchen and house and did more than anyone wanted her to or expected. She'd be the first to dismiss what she did as anything more than living and moving forward. Others saw her as strong. She saw herself as she always does - just a wife and mother.

In answer to your question, the perception of others DOES matter when determining the strength of a woman.

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