Another Maggie!

I'm Maggie P.; a blogless but nonetheless very excited new member of the club.

I am 24 years old, grew up in Idaho, and moved to Pennsylvania for college. After graduation I ended up in the Washington, DC metro area. I work in the city at a law firm, and dream of the day that I can be a homemaker, homeschooler, wife, and mother.

My mom is from a huge Catholic family (she is one of 15 kids!), and I grew up inspired by their love and sense of family. I personally am one of 7 kids, and was homeschooled together with them for much of my young life. While my family has always been the single most important factor in my life, the Church, although present, was always sort of tangential for me. I was given a choice to be confirmed or not, and opted out of it; even at 16, I knew it was a "big deal" and didn't want to make the commitment lightly.

It was in my last semester of college that I was encouraged by a dear (and very Catholic friend) to attend an NFP seminar. Having already determined that I wanted to be the mother of a large family, the practice inspired and fascinated me. It was my first introduction to the Church as a current, wise Mother. I thought "if they have such wonderful philosophys about this, what else can I find out?" Fast-forward 3 years, and I am finally in the process of being confirmed. I have a wonderful parish, a great RCIA class, and a supportive boyfriend from a great Catholic family by my side. All the beauty that I saw my whole life in my mother's Catholic family has been revealed to me even more. I love the Church like never before; yet I'm having a difficult time finding young adults who are as excited about it and engaged as I am. So imagine my excitement when I found this book club!

As for feminism, I grew up admiring Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Stanton, and the original mothers who fought for the right to vote. It wasn't until college that I became aware of a different "sect" of more radical feminists. Before knowing much about it, I remember telling my college friends that "feminazis" weren't the only ones out there. My feminism was about choosing to be any kind of woman you wanted, which for me always equated to raising children and having a home. I love and celebrate being a woman and everything that comes with it--fertility; gentle grace; love. In my love for NFP, I discovered New Feminism and have truly embraced it.

I'm looking forward to the progression of our discussions, and reading this great book!