For Betty, feminism was an aspect of humanism. And one of her sons said this morning that she demonstrated that sheer intelligence could trump lack of intelligence.

To slur “feminism” into “humanism” is to usurp women’s voices once again, to make the singular feminine into the so-called universal masculine.

She opened her eyes a few times today. She didn't speak, but she did seem to focus on her son, Daniel.

I think it's all too relevant. We wish the world had moved on more from the issues it raised than it has. There are lots of factors that prevent women from fulfilling their potential in the work force.

Eudora Welty singles out for praise Austen's "habit of seeing both sides of her own subject - of seeing it indeed in the round". ... Both men and women can be vain about their appearances, selfish about money, overawed by rank, and limited by parochialism; both men and women can function capably, think profoundly, feel deeply, create imaginatively, laugh wittily, and love faithfully. Without vindicating the rights of anyone directly, Austen posits a humanism far ahead of her time. "How really modern she is, after all," Welty concludes of Austen.

My life is very unglamorous, ... I have twin sons, they're 20 months old, they run me into the ground. I write in my sweats. It's a very simple life. There'd be no reason for me to be a diva. That's funny.