A FUTURE OF HER OWN

A college freshman unexpectedly finds herself heading a feminist movement on campus in Quamma’s novel.

In 1965, Ramona Bronson has one goal: to obtain a college diploma that will lead to a well-paying job. To this end, Ramona has been waitressing part-time at Dusty’s Drive-In to supplement the costs of the prestigious university in Washington State that has awarded her a scholarship. But one day—the day before she is scheduled to check into the dormitory—her boss Randy tells her she must begin working the night shift; this means she will be late for the university’s strictly enforced midnight curfew for women. Ramona is caught in a dilemma; without her job, she cannot afford college, but if she breaks curfew, she can lose her scholarship. On the first day of class, she meets with the Dean of Student Affairs to request an exemption for the nights she works. In a condescending tone, he turns her down (“To be frank, this doesn’t sound like an extreme circumstance to me”). With the help of her friend Dimitri Rhodes, Ramona draws up a petition advocating for an extension of the university’s curfew for female students. The story conveys the atmosphere, conflicts, and cultural signposts of campus life during the early years of civil protests against the Vietnam War and the numerous social constraints placed upon women. Quamma layers in an extra bit of tension when Ramona falls in love with Dimitri’s older brother Theo, the leader of the university’s small anti-war group. Minor skirmishes with university officials, one major act of disobedience, and subversive aggressions perpetrated against Ramona by her roommate Patsy Connell (vice president of the antiquated Associated Women Students group) keep the story rolling, but this is a relatively gentle tale in which Ramona finds her voice and emerges with the strength and determination of a modern feminist.

An engaging female protagonist confronts social issues that are unfortunately still relevant.