Women in American Politics

History and Milestones

Women in American Politics: History and Milestones is a unique and comprehensive new reference detailing the milestones and trends in women’s political participation in the United States. This two-volume work provides much needed perspective and background on the events and situations that have surrounded women’s political activities. Women in American Politics offers insightful analysis on women’s political achievements in the United States, including the campaign to secure nation-wide suffrage; pioneer women state officeholders; women first elected to U.S. Congress, governorships, mayoralties, and other offices; and women first appointed as Cabinet officials, judges, and ambassadors. It also includes profiles of the women who have run for president and vice president, and interest groups and political actions committees.

Women in American Politics is organized in a framework both logical and useful to readers and researchers. The reference offers students, scholars, teachers, and other professionals a guide to understanding the complex struggle in women’s progress toward achieving political parity with men in the United States.

Each chapter is structured in three parts:

Part one features graphic information—tables, lists, and charts—detailing the historical record with data not compiled anywhere else, on women officeholders.

Part two offers insightful narrative analyses describing how women achieved what they did, examining the complex and sometimes contradictory trends behind the facts of women’s political milestones, and exploring how social and economic contexts affected the progress of their accomplishments.

Part three presents biographical profiles of women who have been the movers and shakers in the struggle for political equality.

Sidebars in each chapter illuminate the drama of political life and consider the evolving female electorate, exploring how women voters have influenced particular issues, specific elections, or other key turning points, and also the tradition of appointing widows to open seats.

The final chapter uniquely looks at women’s political history and differences in achievement from a state and regional perspective. Entries on each state highlight milestones and provide key facts about officeholders.

Academic, public, and school libraries as well as the media, current and aspiring political leaders, and students of women’s history will wan this book on their shelves.