Comment by Amber Lounder on November 28, 2008 at 10:58pm

Wow LeslieAnn you are eloquent and beautiful Great Job!!! xox

Comment by claire on November 29, 2008 at 4:58pm

great job leslie the book is great too, you look beautifull xxx

Comment by Mary on December 21, 2008 at 12:04am

I have deliberated about whether or not to share my feelings about this book, and I've decided to go ahead. I think we're all trying to be honest and share our feelings here. I hope no one is offended.

I appreciate the effort and talent that went into this book. I bought a copy months ago because, from the title, I thought it would be empowering to me as I struggled to come to terms with having no hair. But I was saddened and frustrated that the overwhelming message I took from the book was: If your hair falls out...cover your head at all costs and never let anyone see that you're bald. For example, page 84, on sleeping in a wig: "What if a burglar comes into your bedroom and sees you without a wig (although that is a surefire way to foil a burglary in progress)?"

Brief mention is made (page 70) of how some women feel okay showing their bald heads to the world, and how we all have our different comfort levels. The author says she completely supports those women who want to go without hair or a hat. That's fine, but other than that brief mention, the overriding point of the book is how to prevent anyone from knowing you're bald. This is not what I needed to hear. Note that I'm saying how I perceived the book - other women may have a totally different reaction to it. And, I absolutely support any woman who is more comfortable wearing a wig or hat at all times. If that's you, this book will be helpful.

But, imagine a world where you didn't HAVE to worry about a UPS man, (or anyone else), seeing you bald.
Imagine a society where when it's warm or you're exercising, you didn't HAVE to have a wig on your head, holding in your body heat. Imagine a world where each day you had a choice to wear something, or nothing, on your head. That world, that society, does exist today - it exists for all men and a few women. That's the world I choose to live in. It will only exist for women the same way it does for men when more women try it.

I teach a very aerobic weekly dance class, and when I lost my hair, I tried wearing a wig, then a lightweight headscarf. But, I quickly found out how hot it was to have anything covering my scalp. Once I just let people see what I look like now, it wasn't a big deal. When my hair fell out, I kept dancing...cooly and comfortably bald.

Comment by Mary on January 6, 2009 at 9:51pm

Check out the video of my recent TV interview on the home page for an illustration of my feelings about being seen bald (I wasn't promoting a book, just promoting a Bald Girls Do Lunch event and raising awareness).

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