About the Feminist Author

Karen Jean Matsko Hood has always been interested in equal rights for women. Hood has witnessed domestic violence, abuse, and chauvinism between men and women in her life. She has also seen the destruction of this work first hand on the children of women and their entire family unit. Hood works as an advocate for feminism, and also as a child advocate. Hood is concerned that the culture of the United States also places too much emphasis on appearance rather than developing the entire person. Hood’s quest prompted her to become involved and to advocate for the rights of women and children in our country today.

Hood has published a children’s activity book titled Girls Can Do, which focuses on the idea that girls can be anything that they have the capability for, and are willing to work to achieve traditional and non-traditional roles. This book is intended to build self-esteem in girls, starting at a young age. This book also helps to teach girls to expect to be treated equal to men. Hood has completed her first adult feminist book titled Feminism; An Introduction to Feminist Thinking this book gives an overall introduction to Feminism. Hood is also working to complete second adult non-fiction feministic themed book titled Feminism Versus Tradition; Are they Compatible? She will continue to conduct research and write on this topic.

Hood was born and raised in Great Falls, Montana. She attended the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University, in Minnesota. She received a B.S. Degree in Natural Science and minored in both psychology and secondary education from the college of St. Benedict. After graduating, Karen and her husband taught science and math on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hood also completed postgraduate classes at the University of Iowa. In May 2001, she completed her Master’s Degree at Gonzaga University, in Spokane, Washington. She has also taken post-graduate classes at Lewis and Clark College in Idaho. Hood is currently taking courses to complete her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at Gonzaga University.

Along with her husband, nine children, and foster children, Hood currently resides in Greenacres, Washington. Her interests include writing, teaching, and volunteering as a court advocate in the juvenile court system for abused and neglected children. Hood also is a literary advocate for youth and adults. Her hobbies include cooking, baking, photography, raising Icelandic horses and Icelandic sheepdogs, indoor and outdoor gardening, and cultivating unusual flowering plants and orchids. Hood also enjoys observing hummingbirds and other bird watching activities.  She demonstrates a passionate appreciation of nature and the environment.