I got a chance earlier this year to contribute to the second Heritage anthology that launched in July with a cavalcade of talented writers and original art by Kathleen Hardy to accompany the wonderful stories.

The stories explore what might have happened at crucial points in HERstory if women ad changed the outcome of their situations.

More uplifting, adventurous tales of shifting history with these new outcomes again elevate women’s status around the globe and throughout the ages.

• Suppose the Amazons of Antiquity had never faded before the ancient Greeks.
• Imagine if Amelia Earhart had run for president.
• Could an infamous opera singer/ swordswoman use her voice and not her sword to change French laws?
• What if Harriet Tubman ran more than just the underground railroad?
• Envision Viking women warriors staying in power.

From a shocking Stone Age discovery to the glamour of Marilyn Monroe to the tenacity of Maria Mozart and Caroline Herschel, small differences can effect major change. Huge differences can forever shatter paradigms and alter the world.

My particular story is the one set in most recent history, and the names have been changed to protect the…well, the writer, actually. But you might guess who we imagined.

Alana Lorens – A courageous black law professor stands up before a disbelieving panel of white politicians and warns them that the supposedly upstanding man they want to put on the supreme court has impaired ethical and moral values. The decision the panel makes will set the standards for future office holders for years to come.

The rest of the stories?

Rigel Ailur – The Sarmatians inspired the tales of the Amazons of antiquity.  Imagine that, thousands of years ago, they had never fallen, and the ancient Greeks and Romans had never risen to prominence. What would it have taken for their culture to survive, and how would that have reshaped the flow of history?

Lorraine J. Anderson – A young girl escapes a neglectful stepmother and pleads for asylum from her older brother, a priest.  He allows her to stay, disguising her as a boy and continues protecting her secret as she becomes a Cardinal and then the Pope.  But how long can they keep her secret?                                               

Azure Avians – Sheleza’s ancestor helped to repel invaders and found the United Nations of the Great Northern and Southern Lands.  Ages ago, they stood strong and repulsed colonization from across the ocean to the east.  Now can the various Peoples of the Great Lands continue to follow—and live up to—her success?

Ilsa J. Bick –  1944, Theresienstadt Ghetto: Artist Friedl Dicker-Brandeis faces imminent transport to Auschwitz. By day, she teaches art to the ghetto’s children. At night, she listens to the strange rabbi from Prague scratch around in the attic—and tries to squelch a mounting dread over a strange boy named Afar. But she can’t, because Friedl knows something no one else does. The little boy is dead.

Diana Dru Botsford – Maria Anna Mozart, a young composer prodigy, and Caroline Herschel, a budding astronomer, meet by chance in 1764 Salzburg.  Both are destined to be overshadowed by their famous brothers. Their secret friendship, sparked by shared frustration and sustained through pranks and coded letters, blossoms into a quiet revolution. Twenty years later, they reunite with a daring plan that will change the course of both music and astronomy—and echo through centuries to come. 

Jennifer Brody – Marilyn Monroe realizes that nefarious forces are after her following her iconic “Happy birthday, Mr. President“ performance, prompting her to fake her own death. She makes it look like she drowned, so she can re-emerge years later to reshape the world in a more positive direction, especially for women and girls.

David Fitzgerald – The Bible’s Queen Jezebel survives a murderous coup d’état, changing the ancient world in ways that cause lasting ripple effects.

Kelli Fitzpatrick – Henrietta Leavit’s revolutionary work in astronomy inspires a group of women scientists to attempt the impossible:  launch the first telescope into space.

Lisa Kastner – Everyone knows that Vikings were fearsome, bloodthirsty men who terrorized Europe and beyond in the Middle Ages.  But what if they weren’t?  What if the famous warrior Birka turned out to be a woman, and not the only one, and they ruled Sweden in the 9th century—and beyond?

Will McDermott – What if primeval Africans discovered nuclear power before fire? How would that have altered the course of history on humanity’s home continent (and beyond)? Follow the story of Africa’s warrior queen, Amanirenas, as she faces off against the Holy Roman Empire in 40 BCE, but this time backed by a nuclear-powered west African confederation.

David McDonald – In 1217, the death of Stephen the Usurper and the complete rout of his forces at the Battle of Lincoln, leave Matilda, Queen of England and Empress of the Holy Roman Empire, the undisputed ruler of England. After being forced to fight for what was hers by right, she issues a decree that absolute primogeniture take precedence over any other law or custom. But, while none dare defy her openly after her display of strength, many nobles plot in secret to preserve their jealously guarded ancient rights and privileges.

Donna Munro – Christine de Pizan, writer of the French court and notorious feminist, is challenged to prove that a matriarchy isn’t a foolish fairy tale. Without the protection of the court, she sets out to create the city she’d dreamed of, a city where women would be equal and free.  With her lover, Marie of Berry. the women must cross through the enemy lines of the north, face down the English invaders, and find where they can live openly and without fear.

John Peel – Her husband is dead and Nefertiti finds herself co-Pharoah of Egypt. But for how long?  Because as if her position as a woman leader isn’t precarious enough, she fears someone is trying to kill her, not just depose her.

Ben Rome – In a daring bid to safeguard her people and preserve Ireland’s independence, the legendary Pirate Queen of Connaught, Grace Ó Máille, forges an unprecedented alliance among rival clans to resist English encroachment. Her bold actions lead to a historic confrontation with Queen Elizabeth I—a pivotal moment poised to reshape the future of women’s equality and the course of history itself.  

Deborah Sale-Butler – In April 1936, FDR dies and sends the US into an unexpected power struggle. Republicans pit the most popular man in the country, Charles Lindbergh, against sitting President John Garner and running mate Amelia Earhart (recruited by her friend Eleanor Roosevelt). A loss for the Democrats could plunge America into an alliance with the Nazis. A win will put Amelia a heartbeat away from the Presidency and the chance to shape the nation’s future. But first, Eleanor must teach Amelia how the game is played.

Susan Shwartz – She was a Duchess. She was Queen of France. She was Queen of England. She was a royal prisoner, a scholar, a correspondent of Popes, and a mother of kings. She was played in The Lion in Winter by one of her many descendants. Eleanor—by the wrath of God, Queen Regnant of the English.

Mariah Southworth – Julie d’Aubigny lived more in her thirty-four years than most people do in eighty. But what would have happened if this 17th century opera star and undefeated duelist had stayed with us a little longer? The patriarchy is just one more opponent for her to cut down.

Laura Ware – Harriett Tubman repeatedly faced death by helping former slaves escape the South.  Little did she realize that the challenge of learning to read would lead to her greatest accomplishment.

Bryan Young – How different would the world be if the New Testament were predicated on Mary Magdalene and not Jesus as the messiah, offering a much more feminist prescription of morality for her apostles to spread?

Curious how life might have been different if these women’s paths had changed? Get your own copy at Amazon today!