In this engaging and highly accessible compendium for young readers and aspiring power brokers, Virginia Senator Janet Howell and her daughter-in-law Theresa Howell spotlight the careers of fifty American women in politics and inspire readers to make a difference.
Meet some of the most influential leaders in America, including Jeanette Rankin, who, in 1916, became the first woman elected to Congress; Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress; Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to sit on the Supreme Court; and Bella Abzug, who famously declared, “This woman’s place is in the House the House of Representatives.” This engaging and wide-ranging collection of biographies highlights the actions, struggles, and accomplishments of more than fifty of the most influential leaders in American political history leaders who have stood up, blazed trails, and led the way.
Book Features:
- Each woman is introduced via a portrait, original quotes, and a brief biography.
- Extensive back matter, including a timeline, index, bibliography, glossary, and how-to chart for taking effective political action featuring icons that link the actions back to their original practitioners throughout the book.
About the Authors
Senator Janet Howell has been a Virginia state senator since 1992. She is second in seniority in the state senate and the longest-serving female Virginia legislator. Credited with major legal reforms, she was also the first woman to serve on the powerful Senate Finance Committee and the first and only woman so far to be appointed as a senate budget conferee. A civil rights worker in college and a longtime community leader, she has been honored with many awards, including a Child Health Advocate Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics. She lives in northern Virginia with her husband Hunt.
Theresa Howell is the coauthor of the award-winning
Maybe Something Beautiful with F. Isabel Campoy, illustrated by Rafael López. She is also the author of the picture book series
Scout Moore, Junior Ranger. She lives in Colorado with her two daughters and husband, Brian.
About the Illustrators
Kylie Akia is a digital illustrator and painter. Her work creates a narrative of juxtaposition through the use of color, subject, and content.
Leading the Way: Women in Power is her picture book debut.
Kylie Akia lives in Chicago.
Alexandra Bye is an illustrator specializing in fun, colorful illustrations for a variety of media, such as editorial and children’s publications. She lives in New Hampshire, where she enjoys backpacking, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking with her dog.
Industry Reviews
We learn and become inspired by example, and what better examples for girls than the brave and barrier-breaking women in
Leading the Way: Women in Power? The women profiled here were once girls who not only dreamed big but went big. These women from different backgrounds, in different circumstances, chose to lead, and I hope the young readers of this book do the same!
--Former Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano
Inspiring more young women to be politically active makes this book important to our future!
--U.S. Senator Tim Kaine
It is so important that we inspire young people to become active in politics. The fifty women in this book are groundbreaking role models for our kids.
--U.S. Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton
Focusing more on each woman's achievements and major areas of interest than party affiliation or political lean, the authors offer a good mix of players on state and local as well as national stages, with a conscious eye to diversity...younger activists and public servants in search of courageous, tough-minded role models will be spoiled for choice even before they get to the concluding list of 30 "more leaders to discover." Makes a strong case that where "she persisted," others really can follow.
--Kirkus Reviews
A book that deserves to be read front to back. Girls will feel inspired by this diverse and accomplished group who made their voices heard in order to incite real change. Researchers will find a variety of heroes to study and admire.
--School Library Journal
There are many books today that deal with women's history, and this one...stands out for the breadth of its coverage, its attractive format, and the "power symbols" that accompany each two-page feature on each subject....the strong portraits of each woman, the crisp page layouts, and the wealth of information will draw in readers. The foreword by Hillary Clinton, which discusses "forging change and leading the way," makes for a strong entry to this inspiring book.
--Booklist
Virginia senator Janet Howell and...Theresa Howell offer a hearty tribute to American women leaders in this handsomely designed anthology published to coincide with the centennial anniversary of the passage of national women's suffrage in the U.S....effective visuals are the illustrators' expressive, lifelike portraits of each leader. A concise "Take-Action Guide" rounds up tips for readers inspired to act on their beliefs.
--Publishers Weekly Online
