Self made women in the 1920s United States : literary trailblazers This book analyzes eleven trailblazing 1920s female authors who wrote counter narratives to sexism racism classism and homophobia. The author brings their novels poems plays film scenarios and blues lyrics into conversation with each other to show different approaches women could take to become autonomous individuals and full citizens Economic independence: creating a new self Sexual empowerment: freeing the sensual self Racial hybridity: healing the torn self Lesbian pride: decoding the erotic self Political activism: asserting the creative self.