Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for Women of a Promiscuous Nature by Donna Everhart

1. Dorothy Baker is passionate about reform, and seeks to transform the women in her charge so they fit into society views of what's appropriate. Her beliefs are typical of the day, as are the terms used to describe certain individuals. By today's standards, they would be considered unacceptable. Considering the time period, do you believe Baker was cruel, or were her methods a "means to an end"? What similarities do you recognize within these institutions as compared to an actual prison?
2. Stella Temple lives in a highly dysfunctional home with a mother suffering from mental illness and an abusive father. In her case, do you think placement at the Colony was beneficial?
3. Ruth Foster lives independently and doesn't understand why this is a problem. Why do you believe it was?
4. Baker's personal and professional life is filled with triumphs and failures. What did you admire most about her? What did you dislike most? Do you think she got away with too much?
5. Stella's intelligence and eagerness to please win Baker over. What did you think of their relationship? Do you think it was helpful to Stella, or do you wish her outcome were different?
6. Many women, like Ruth, were often scared or intimidated into submitting themselves to these facilities. Sometimes husbands turned their wives in if they felt dissatisfied with their home life. Women didn't receive due process through a court system. Why do you think women were the primary focus of immoral behaviors and not men?
7. The novel is about the mass incarceration of women suspected of promiscuous, immoral, or lewd behavior. Were you aware of this history? Have you heard of the Chamberlain-Kahn Act, also known as the American Plan? Did you know about "farm colonies," detention centers, etc., where women were forced to stay and endure debilitating treatments? Are there other mass incarcerations you can think of similar to this?
8. Men, whether in the service or not, if found carrying an infection, underwent treatments while going on with their lives. Considering the era, do you find this disparity "normal"? Why?
9. Some of the same laws are still in effect today. Can you think of a recent time period when the law/s allowed the government control over individuals?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Kensington Publishing. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.