“I come from a family where happiness was seen as an 'extra,' a kind of frill to life - nice to have, but certainly not necessary and by no means paramount. Work was king. Suffering meant you were working hard. It made you worthy.”

American author

Rachel Simmons is an American author best known for Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls, published in 2002. Her work has helped bring attention to the social pressures and hidden forms of conflict that can shape girls' lives. She is associated with writing about aggression, friendship, and the ways girls navigate status and belonging. Her book remains the main work identified with her name, and it is the source of much of her public recognition.