The seeds from which Daughters of Men grew were planted at the unlikeliest of places: a cable network.

Author Rachel Vassel’s "aha moment" struck when, while working as The Weather Channel’s Director of Advertising, she attended an internal Women in the Workplace panel discussion. During the Q&A, when asked to name their primary influences, four of the five panelists named…their fathers. As a woman whose relationship with her own father was non-existent, the uniformity of these replies piqued her interest. Vassel set out, unconsciously at first, on a quest to investigate the bond between father and daughter - and its effect on a woman’s personal growth.

It wasn’t long before the idea to write Daughters of Men developed, and Vassel began to compile narratives from successful African-American women. She implored grown-up daddy’s girls to open up and celebrate their special relationships with the first men they loved unconditionally. Her goal? To shine the spotlight on these "invisible" men, so unjustly overshadowed in society by their deadbeat counterparts. 

Among the women she interviewed, Vassel found that they all placed great significance on their fathers’ unwavering spiritual and emotional support. Over and over again, these women articulated the importance of their fathers’ consistent encouragement to their ability to achieve, and even surpass, their dreams. 

Parallel to her study of the paternal bond, ran a personal journey: Vassel’s successful attempt to re-build her relationship with her father. As they re-connected, she was able to rid herself of the tumultuous emotions she had been holding on to, for the many years after he left her family. 

Despite her father’s absence, Vassel grew up surrounded by strong male role models. It is because of these men that she developed her reverence for men as steadfast nurturers. From her grandfather, she learned the qualities of a dedicated husband and the definition of "hard work", while from her brothers, she gained self-confidence and a sense of safety, of always being protected. Vassel’s book honors not only all devoted African-American fathers, but specifically, these “surrogate fathers” in addition to the father of her children. Her husband, "stable, consistent and committed" to their family - embodies the qualities Daughters of Men reaffirms as invaluable. 

The desire to celebrate the family pervades Vassel’s work. Her soon-to-be-published children’s book, "I Want to Have Legs", was inspired by one of her son’s pre-school experiences. It is a tender tale in which she tackles the ever-important themes of self-acceptance and honoring one’s heritage. 

Vassel recently transitioned from a fast-paced corporate career into the creative world, ultimately fulfilling her birthright as the daughter and sister of artists. She lives in Atlanta, GA, with her husband and three children.