This collection of biographical essays on U.S. women activists is unusual. It presents the political struggles of individual women as unique to their local situations and as also shaping an implicitly collective struggle against racism, sexism, classism, poverty, government inadequacy, and corporate corruption. While these ``ordinary women'' share an interest in individual rights and justice, each defines herself differently as a feminist and activist. Empowered by anger against toxic waste dumping, forced relocations, or nuclear weapons, these women see their courageous and frequently dangerous activism as a common-sense response to unacceptable conditions; this book celebrates their diversity and common vision. Mollie Brodsky, Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.
"It's taken a long time to recognize the fact that women are the great organizers and activists. If the well is poisoned, if the river runs thick with toxic waste, if the housing is bleak, in most cases, it's women who will undertake the organization of stubborn protests and action, the research, the tedious day-after-day, year-after-year work that often changes their own lives. Here are the women, here is a teaching book and an engaging work." —Grace Paley, author of The Little Disturbances of Man
"Anne Witte Garland has revealed our 'clean little secret': most community leaders for change are women. The day of the demure yea-sayer in skirts is over. Nine portraits of these remarkable women comprise this inspiring work." —Studs Terkel, author of The Good War
"Women Activists gives voice to women from minority, blue collar, and middle-class backgrounds and their concerns about real life issues. All the important problems of the decade are here: urban renewal, inner-city education, rural development, auto safety, water pollution, nuclear energy, and the arms race. Each of these women responded to threats to their families and personal lives. Out of anger and a sense of justice they educated themselves, and organized other women and men into action. Their successes and failures make rewarding reading, and give a clear sense of how 'ordinary' women can and do effect change." —Louise Lamphere, author of Situated Lives: Gender and Culture in Everyday Life
"An inspiring testament to women's leadership. In this book, we see women creating compassionate human social policy." —Bella Abzug, former state representative, New York
"A valuable source for women's studies and recent social history and compelling reading for anyone concerned about contemporary politics and society." —Barbara Melosh, author of Strangers and Kin
"This book shows how one person can make a difference, and together we can bring about change. It demonstrates that courage, commitment, and activism are very womanly traits." —Barbara Mikulski, senator, Maryland
"This is a remarkable collection of tales, each beautifully and directly told. Taken together, they constitute a powerful affirmation of the spirited and resourceful means women continue to use to achieve socially useful goals." —Alice Kessler-Harris, author of Gendering Labor History
"Women Activists is that rare treasure—a book that is as exciting as fiction and as instructive as life itself. We are indebted to Anne Witte Garland for illuminating our lives with the lives of these women." —Johnetta Cole, former president of Spelman College
"It's taken a long time to recognize the fact that women are the great organizers and activists. If the well is poisoned, if the river runs thick with toxic waste, if the housing is bleak, in most cases, it's women who will undertake the organization of stubborn protests and action, the research, the tedious day-after-day, year-after-year work that often changes their own lives. Here are the women, here is a teaching book and an engaging work." —Grace Paley, author of The Little Disturbances of Man
"Anne Witte Garland has revealed our 'clean little secret': most community leaders for change are women. The day of the demure yea-sayer in skirts is over. Nine portraits of these remarkable women comprise this inspiring work." —Studs Terkel, author of The Good War
"Women Activists gives voice to women from minority, blue collar, and middle-class backgrounds and their concerns about real life issues. All the important problems of the decade are here: urban renewal, inner-city education, rural development, auto safety, water pollution, nuclear energy, and the arms race. Each of these women responded to threats to their families and personal lives. Out of anger and a sense of justice they educated themselves, and organized other women and men into action. Their successes and failures make rewarding reading, and give a clear sense of how 'ordinary' women can and do effect change." —Louise Lamphere, author of Situated Lives: Gender and Culture in Everyday Life
"An inspiring testament to women's leadership. In this book, we see women creating compassionate human social policy." —Bella Abzug, former state representative, New York
"A valuable source for women's studies and recent social history and compelling reading for anyone concerned about contemporary politics and society." —Barbara Melosh, author of Strangers and Kin
"This book shows how one person can make a difference, and together we can bring about change. It demonstrates that courage, commitment, and activism are very womanly traits." —Barbara Mikulski, senator, Maryland
"This is a remarkable collection of tales, each beautifully and directly told. Taken together, they constitute a powerful affirmation of the spirited and resourceful means women continue to use to achieve socially useful goals." —Alice Kessler-Harris, author of Gendering Labor History
"Women Activists is that rare treasure—a book that is as exciting as fiction and as instructive as life itself. We are indebted to Anne Witte Garland for illuminating our lives with the lives of these women." —Johnetta Cole, former president of Spelman College
