It takes more than balls to be a woman. It takes ovaries.

Legs was always proud even before FOXFIRE, that’s the primary fact about Legs Sadovsky: pride.

... because the Legs wasn't fearful of heights or swimming in rough water or Death itself she wasn't afraid to risk making a fool of herself. Maybe you think that's something of no consequence but it isn't - for making a fool of yourself, offering yourself to others to laugh at, to jeer, that takes guts.

Unfortunately, power is something that women abjure once they perceive the great difference between the lives possible to men and to women...

Uh.. you'er Sophie?" Mrianda ventured
"That's me"
"How old areyou?"
Sophie rolled ker wide brown eyes,
"Ahunderd and forty-eight" she relied. "I got to live back when women coulden't vote, isn't that awesome?

she'd played mother and wives. Women in narratives were always defined by their relations.