The career of non-fiction author Helen Downey mirrors the familiar pattern of work for many women. Helen's promising start, with four books in her History on Stage series, published in quick succession, was put on hold after the arrival of three children. Helen holds a Bachelor of Education and TSTC at Melbourne State College, with a major in Asian Fine Arts and Sculpture, and a Bachelor of Letters (Honours) at Deakin University, with a major in Myth and Ideology. Helen has written feature stories for The Age, Canberra Times, Sunday Herald and The Weekly Times. Her History on Stage series includes the titles Ancient America; Ancient River Civilizations, Suma and Egypt; Ancient Greece; and Ancient Rome. She is the author of Wide World of English 2, and co-author of the Techne leaflet series for ACTA. She was an Editor and writer of 'Asthma Update' for the Asthma Foundations of Australia, and an Editor for the teachers' notes 'Challenge', 'Pursuit', 'Explore' and 'Comet'. This former secondary art, media studies, history and English teacher was also a member of the Secondary Art and Craft Standing Committee, is an experienced Queenscliffe Information Centre Volunteer Heritage Guide, and recently returned from a year living in France. Her most current work, a biography of Theodora Fitzpatrick, grew into Making Herstory.