Raised by Women

By Keith Barker

"Barker is a natural-born raconteur." -Holly Harris, Winnipeg Free Press

After the sudden death of his father, Keith is flooded with memories--not of the man who left, but of the woman who stayed and raised three children on her own. Growing up surrounded by his mother, sisters, aunties, and friends, Keith was shaped by their humor, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom. Through a series of funny, moving, and at times embarrassing stories, Keith unpacks how a matriarchal household's love, strength, and empathy made him who he is today and taught him how to forgive his father for abandoning his children.

Raised by Women is a heartfelt, laugh-out-loud tribute to matriarchal power and grace. With warmth and candour, award-winning playwright Keith Barker celebrates the women who taught him how to understand his emotions, be true to himself, and lead with his heart, offering a powerful counternarrative to patriarchal ideals so many of us are taught. Challenging long-held conventions about parenthood and masculinity, Keith provides a blueprint of emotional literacy for the next generation of men.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0369106164
• ISBN13: 9780369106162
• Release Date: December 2026
• Publisher: Playwrights Canada Press
• Length: 64 Pages