Connie May Fowler was born in Florida. She first began her writing as a poet. The first novel she wrote was Sugarcage, which was a big hit. Her second book was not as successful as the first or third book she had written. The book that Connie May Fowler chose to read from at the reading was Before Women had Wings. This book was her third book she had written and it was published in 1996. Her books she wrote offered her escape and role models, which she didn't have at home.
             The part of the book she read started off around 1965 when her father put a revolver to his head. Bird was in the kitchen just watching her mother cook as he entered. He claimed life would be much better if he were gone. During this time Bird wished that she could be taken away from that place by angels. Her parents were always fighting because of the moonshine and liquor. Everyone was out of control once their father died. The mother goes frantic and children just wanted their mother to love them like before. Although in the end the children had to be the caretakers of the mother. The mother beats bird and tells her not to come back until she gets her head straight. On her journey she meets many people in particular a guy named Big Al. She meets him outside of a strip joint and takes a ride with him on his Harley.
             This novel was picked up by Oprah Winfrey to be produced into a screen play. Oprah produces the screen play, made for TV film. The movie stared Oprah herself and Ellen Barkin. The title of the film came from a painting that Connie May encountered called "After Women had Wings". So she decided to change the film to Before Women had Wings.
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