Trauma is not what happens to you. It’s what happens inside you. It is the wound you sustained. That’s the good thing, because the wound can be healed at any time.
~ Dr. Gabor Maté, MD, bestselling author, recipient of the prestigious Order of Canada

Eighty-one successful women from 22 countries share poignant memoirs of early childhood struggle and suffering: trauma, loss, betrayal, bullying, neglect, sexual abuse, and the disconnection of dysfunctional family relationships.

The stories read like intimate bits of conversation between best friends, overheard, at times in sordid detail.

These memoirs contradict the ones you and I like to tell ourselves about the charms of childhood. They paint the picture of early years that are not all sunshine and rainbows. Some will amuse. Some will tear at your heart.

The author writes in a brief, clear, concise style. Original, full-color drawings capture the essence of each memory as seen through the eyes of the innocent child.

Endnotes reveal that through sheer strength and resilience, the women rose above adverse situations to achieve success in medicine, finance and business—despite the odds and gender bias that most women experience.

“STRONG has been honored with the prestigiousLiterary Titan Gold Book Award, a recognition reserved for books that masterfully deliver original content, explore innovative themes, and exhibit elegant prose.”

NOTE: STRONG contains several true accounts of child abuse, which may be disturbing for some readers. As such, this book is not intended for children but serves as a valuable resource for health professionals, coaches, teachers, therapists, counselors, and anyone interested in the field of developmental psychology.