Heroic masculinity has long shaped the image of Zen. Yet, there have always been women who taught and embodied Zen. However, they have been forgotten, their names erased from the transmission lines, and their achievements diminished. The significant merit of American Zen teacher Grace Schireson lies in bringing to light the life stories and teachings of many of these Zen women and making them accessible to us. She also connects this to the present day, demonstrating how the female voices of Zen can inspire a spiritual practice that accommodates the diversity of modern lifestyles. Grace Schireson has brought the women of Zen out of the notes and footnotes where they previously lived in the shadows. Her book is crucial because it not only illuminates the lives of Zen teachers, nuns, and other Zen women from the past.