In "When Women Were Birds," Terry Tempest Williams explores the theme of women's voices and their often silenced needs. The quote "We mask our needs as the needs of others" reflects a common pattern where individuals prioritize the desires of those around them while suppressing their own requirements. This behavior highlights the societal pressure on women to be caretakers, sometimes at the expense of their own well-being.

Williams illustrates how this dynamic can lead to a loss of identity and self-worth. By encouraging women to recognize their own voices and needs, she advocates for a deeper understanding of self and the importance of expressing one's own desires rather than merely fulfilling the expectations of others. Through this lens, the book serves as a call to reclaim personal narratives and assert one's presence in the world.