Summary

In Chapter XXXIX, Williams tells how Mardy Murie encouraged her to become one of the twenty-six members of the Wilderness Society’s Governing Council. During the first year that she served, she never opened her mouth. The ways in which the men argued, debated, and made recommendations impressed her. During a break, Alice Rivlin asked if Williams had a voice and told her it would be nice to hear it. During the second year, Williams did speak. However, she noticed that her comments did not seem to have any impact on the conversation. Even though she had read all of the literature she had been given, Williams felt she did not have all of the information which other members had. One of the men finally invited Williams to have drinks with the group after a meeting. She learned then that the policy was...