Chloe Schwenke’s memoir, SELF-ish: A Transgender Awakening, offers a profound and candid exploration of gender identity, personal transformation, and resilience. Schwenke, a seasoned human rights activist and one of the first openly transgender political appointees in U.S. history, narrates her journey from a Marine Corps upbringing as Stephen to embracing her true self as Chloe. Her story unfolds against the backdrop of her extensive international work in regions such as Africa, the Gaza Strip, and Turkey, providing readers with a unique perspective on the intersection of gender identity and global human rights.
Raised in a strict military family, Schwenke was sent to a military academy at fourteen to "man-up." Despite outward appearances, she grappled with an inner conflict about her gender identity.
