African American Women in Congress: Forming and Transforming History - Softcover

Gill, Laverne McCain

9780813523538: African American Women in Congress: Forming and Transforming History

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0813523532 ISBN 13: 9780813523538

Publisher: Rutgers Univ Pr, 1997

Profiles the life and careers of fifteen African American women, including Shirley Chisholm, Katie Hall, amd Eva Clayton

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From the Back Cover:

Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman in the U.S. House of Representatives, was elected in 1968. That was nearly a hundred years after the election of the first African American man to the House and fifty years after the first white American woman. A quarter of a century after Chisholm's election, the first Black woman, Carol Moseley-Braun, was elected to the United States Senate. It was not until 1993, when ten additional Black women won seats in the 103rd Congress, that African American women were allowed to serve their country and their constituencies in any substantial numbers. That historical moment will very likely be lost as congressional districts are redrawn by court order. This remarkable book by LaVerne Gill preserves the history of the struggles and accomplishments of fifteen courageous women, and will move others to learn from and follow their example.

African American Women in Congress profiles the life and career histories of Shirley Chisholm, Barbara Jordan, Yvonne Burke, Cardiss Collins, Katie Hall, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Maxine Waters, Barbara-Rose Collins, Carol Moseley-Braun, Corrine Brown, Carrie Meek, Cynthia McKinney, Eva Clayton, Eddie Bernice Johnson, and Sheila Jackson-Lee. Readers are introduced to issues of vital importance to the Black community--Reconstruction, enfranchisement, lynching, civil rights struggles, the founding of advocacy groups, the power of the Congressional Black Caucus, the creation of majority. Gill also describes the uphill battles for social justice and the rights of women that the fifteen women had to wage even within their own political parties, political organizations, and districts.

For general readers, students, and anyone interested in the political process, this book is illuminating and inspiring reading.

Review:

In difficult, trying times, African American women have always risen to provide leadership. As someone who has reported on many of the talented political stars LaVerne Gill analyzes, I believe her book provides critical insight into the difficult roads these women traveled to reach their goal. Every young person who wants to understand the demands, strains, and rewards of leadership ought to read this book. Every adult who is facing a difficult job standing as the storms threaten to shake them from their foundation ought to read this book to gain strength to hold on. As Gill shows, the demands of leadership are tough, but without the kind of sacrifice and vision these talented Black women exhibit, a people would perish. In lifting up these special women, Gill has provided us with a gift, a treasure. -- The Rev. Barbara Reynolds, syndicated columnist, news commentator, president and CEO of Reynolds News Service, author of Jesse Jackson: American's David and Still We Rise: Interviews with 50 Black Role Models

It is time for us to talk about race. It is time for us to talk about racism. It is time for us to use our power. -- Congresswoman Maxine Waters

Provides a fascinating look at the lives and contributions of African American women in Congress....an indispensable reference guide for public policy makers, reporters, scholars, and others interested in learning how these women came to power and their impact on state, local and national politics....I highly recommended it. -- Carol M. Swain, associate professor, Princeton University, author of Black Faces, Black Interests: The Representation of African Americans in Congress

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