I did everything society said to be happy. I got the degrees: BA, a Montessori degree, and an MA. I married the 'right' men who could 'give me respect and boost my confidence.' First an attorney. Had one daughter. The marriage ended after seven years because of his affairs. Eight years later, my second husband was a cardiologist from Virginia. We had a bi-coastal, whirlwind coke-induced love affair for eighteen months. The marriage lasted six months. I did things I thought might help society. I sent women to London for abortions before Roe v. Wade. I was active in the peace movement to stop the Vietnam War. I started NORML (the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) with my first husband. I had the right jobs: I wrote and produced for PBS, documentaries and TV spots. I won numerous awards. I wrote screenplays to shine the light on inequities and several were optioned. None of this alleviated my pain, shame and suffering from the childhood beatings and sexual abuse that led to my self-abuse. My healing journey began with Shhhh! I have resided in Venice Beach, CA for eighteen years enjoying the ocean view from my front porch of the fourplex I own. I am working on my second book: Mother NORML. Been an active Buddhist for more than thirty years and am now active in the spiritual ascension community—all part of my journey in finding my true self. I have. Now, my purpose is trying to reach those abused to clear the concern of what others think about them and to help them clear judging themselves. So they can accept who they are just as they are.