Shapers of the Great Debate on Women's Rights: A Biographical Dictionary

(Hardback)

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Description

The three waves of feminism are explored through the lives of the women who made history in bringing women's issues to the forefront of American society. Many early feminists supported not only women's rights, but also rights of slaves and contributed to the passing of the Thirteenth Amendment, granting emancipation to slaves. They continued to work towards women's suffrage and were hopeful the Fourteenth Amendment would provide universal suffrage. However, women were not granted suffrage until the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment, nearly fifty years later. It was women's fundamental need for independence and an identity of their own, separate from that of men, which thrust the women's movement forward and continues to propel it today. Many notable women, such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Billie Jean King, Betty Friedan, Helen Gurley Brown, Jane Fonda, and Sandra Day O'Connor, are included in this history of the women's movement in America. The biographical entries cite works for further reading, and the volume closes with a bibliography. The Shapers of the Great Debate series takes a biographical approach to history, following the premise that people make history in the circumstances in which they find themselves. Each volume in this series examines the lives and experiences of the individuals involved in a particular debate through both major and minor biographies.

Reviews

An excellent quick reference and resource, especially for women's studies shelves. * MBR: Internet Bookwatch *
Libraries that have purchased the other books in the Shapers of the Great American Debates reference series may be interested in adding this book, which might also be useful for quick reference needs. * VOYA *
As a historical narrative in the great-woman tradition, this book can be recommended as an engaging and inspirational resource. * Feminist Collections *
. . . this book illustrates how women contributed to American history through their efforts to secure suffrage and civil rights. . . . At the conclusion of the text, you've encountered a diverse array of academics, writers, politicians, religious figures, and actors, all working to secure equality and recognition for women. * Catholic Library World *

Author Bio

Joyce Duncan is a Lecturer of Cross-Disciplinary Studies at East Tennessee State University. She is the author of Ahead of Their Time: A Biographical Dictionary of Risk-Taking Women (Greenwood, 2001) and edited Sport in American Culture (2004).