I love that story about Antoinette de Maupin, Don! Simply marvelous.

DS, I have never considered women to be the "weaker" sex. Never at any moment in my life. Matter of fact, I consider men to be the weaker sex overall, despite the macho posturing that so many of them have engaged in since time immemorial. I have no sympathy with that approach at all, and have never engaged in it. I despise traditionally patriarchal authority systems. I admire women tremendously. In my opinion they are, on average, more mature and more responsible than men, they are the glue that holds society together, and when they take up traditionally male roles they usually do them every bit as well as men...if not better.

They also are often better songwriters, in my opinion...on average.

I've seen individual exceptions to everything I said above...but speaking in general terms? Women are formidable and anyone who thinks they are not has much to learn. ;-)

Ever read about Tomoe Gozen? She was a legendary female Samurai in ancient Japan, and she was the greatest warrior of her age. I would rather read stories about her than about any male Samurai that ever lived.

Of my greatest heroes (musical or otherwise)...you would be surprised how many are women.