Is There a Woman in the House...or Senate?

Fireside, Bryna J.

ISBN 10: 0807536628 ISBN 13: 9780807536629

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co, 1993

Synopsis

Presents the accomplishments of ten influential woman who have served in Congress--including Jeannette Rankin, Geraldine Ferraro, Nancy Kassebaum, Barbara Jordan, Millicent Fenwick, and Margaret Chase Smith.

About this title

Reviews

Grade 4-8-A collective biography of 10 women who ventured into politics and made significant contributions to this country. Jeannette Rankin, Margaret Chase Smith, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug, Barbara Jordan, Patricia Schroeder, Millicent Fenwick, Barbara Mikulski, Nancy Kassebaum, and Geraldine Ferraro are profiled. Reading about these women is like enjoying a rich and varied tapestry of the American experience. They are from many parts of the country with various ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds. Fireside looks at her subjects' childhoods, how and why they decided to run for office, their sacrifices and rewards from a professional and personal perspective, the people and events that influenced them, and the legislation and ideas they supported and fought for. These women learned to play the political game, yet remained true to their ideals. A succinct explanation of how Congress works and definitions of such terms as hopper, sponsor, suffrage, etc., are offered within the text. The author also interviewed nine of these congresswomen; their comments make them come alive in this well-written and informative book, which is enhanced by a limited number of well-chosen black-and-white photographs.
Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Any girl seeking a role model for a political career will find at least one here. In informative, clearly written biographies of ten congressional pioneers (from Jeannette Rankin of Montana, first woman elected to Congress, in 1916, to Geraldine Ferraro, first congresswoman chosen by a major political party to run for vice-president), Fireside lauds them for pathbreaking contributions and revels in their differences-- in religious and economic background, in educational experiences, in appearance (camera-ready or not), and in their plans (or lack thereof) for their lives. She's to be commended for seizing opportunities to bring in facts on woman suffrage, civil rights, the creation of Israel, the Vietnam War, Watergate, and the Equal Rights Amendment and for pointing out that, when it came to crucial votes, each legislator had to consider not only the interests of her party, constituents, and conscience, but also of her race and sex. Influential teachers and relatives are acknowledged; b&w photos include youthful shots; occasional anecdotal levity adds appeal. Also included: a cut-and-dried introduction on how Congress works; a forthright report on how the book was researched; selected bibliography; index. (Biography. 9-14) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Gr. 6-10. More women are serving in the U.S. Congress than ever before, but they are not the first. On the basis of extensive archival research and interviews with nine living subjects, Fireside examines the childhoods, educations, and careers of 10 women who have served in the House, the Senate, or both. Though an afterword reviews the general criteria for inclusion, an introductory survey of the role of women in American politics would have enhanced the theme. The individual biographies are balanced and informative, drawing attention to major achievements and contributions, such as Margaret Chase Smith's "Declaration of Conscience," which criticized Sen. Joseph McCarthy. The author has a tendency to talk down to her audience; the book is at its best when the focus is squarely on the subjects, with quotations and memorable anecdotes integrated into the descriptive narratives. A timely book illustrated with a good selection of black-and-white photographs. Julie Corsaro

Edition details

• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co
• Publication date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0807536628
• ISBN 13: 9780807536629
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 144