Women and Political Participation: A Reference Handbook

by Barbara Burrell, Carol Moseley Braun

Overview

An illuminating analysis of the long and ongoing struggle of women in America to gain political equality and bring about change in public policy.

Women and Political Participation examines the involvement of women in American politics, concentrating mainly on their participation since the birth of the second women's movement in the late 1960s. From the creation of grassroots and national organizations to voting and running for office, this thought-provoking volume explores the diverse ways in which women have affected change and achieved greater representation in political leadership.

Detailed discussions of key documents like the Declaration of Sentiments and the Equal Rights Amendment; political action committees such as EMILY's List, which supports pro-choice Democratic female candidates; Margaret Sanger, Betty Friedan, and other activists; and groups like the League of Women Voters reveal the complexities of women's efforts to gain equality and identify the barriers that remain today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781851095926
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/26/2004
Series:	Political Participation in America
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.69(d)
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

Barbara C. Burrell, Ph.D., is associate professor in the Political Science Department and associate director of the Public Opinion Laboratory at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL.

Table of Contents

	Series Foreword	ix
	Foreword	xi
	Preface	xiii
	Acknowledgments	xv
1	Overview	1
	The First Wave of Feminism	4
	The Second Wave of Feminism	9
	Contemporary Feminism	11
	The Impact of Feminism on Public Opinion	13
	Women's Current Status	15
	Controversial Current Issues	20
	References	26
2	Protest Politics	29
	Suffrage Protests	29
	Second-Wave Protests	32
	Case Study: The Clarence Thomas Hearings	34
	Case Study: Marches for Women's Lives	36
	Peace Activism	41
	Case Study: Women Strike for Peace	42
	Case Study: The Million Mom March	44
	Case Study: CODEPINK	46
	References	47
3	Women's Movements and Organizations	49
	Suffrage and the National Woman's Party	50
	The League of Women Voters	52
	The Women's Bureau	53
	The Second Wave: Equal Rights under the Law	54
	The Equal Pay Movement	59
	Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964)	60
	The National Organization for Women (1966)	62
	Hispanic Women's Movements	65
	The National Women's Political Caucus	67
	Women of Color Organizations	68
	The National Black Feminist Organization	69
	The Combahee River Collective	70
	The National Women's Conference (1977)	71
	The Campaign for the Equal Rights Amendment (1970s to 1980s)	73
	Concerned Women for America	78
	The National Political Congress of Black Women	78
	The Fund for a Feminist Majority	79
	The Independent Women's Forum	80
	The Rise of Feminist Interest Groups	82
	Case Study: NARAL Pro-Choice America and Feminists for Life	84
	References	85
4	Participation in Electoral Politics	89
	The Impact of Suffrage	91
	The Gender Gap	96
	Political Involvement beyond Voting	98
	Women and Political Parties	102
	Feminist Issues at the Polls	106
	The Effect of Gender on Elections	112
	Case Study: Soccer Moms	117
	Case Study: "W Stands for Women"	118
	Case Study: NASCAR Dads	122
	Case Study: Women's Voices, Women Vote	124
	References	124
5	Women in Public Office	129
	Women in Congress	130
	Case Study: The Sanchez Sisters	133
	Women State Officials	135
	Women Governors	136
	The United States in Comparative Perspective	137
	The Political Parties and Women Elected Officials	140
	Campaigning for Public Office	143
	A Woman for President?	145
	Case Study: Geraldine Ferraro, Vice Presidential Nominee	146
	Case Study: EMILY's List and the WISH List	147
	Women in Legislative Leadership Positions	150
	Case Study: Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader	152
	Women's Leadership in State Legislatures	153
	Do Women in Public Office Make a Difference?	154
	Case Study: The Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues	155
	Presidential Appointments and Presidential Staff	158
	Women in the Judiciary	161
	Conclusion	162
Appendix	Women Elected and Appointed to Public Office	164
	References	178
	Documents	181
	Key People, Laws, and Terms	195
	Resources	207
	Chronology	233
	Annotated Bibliography	247
	Index	259
	About the Author	277

Editorial Reviews

Recommended. Academic libraries with extensive political collections; a useful introductory reference for high school to college students or medium to large public libraries.” —Choice

“This book is a good handbook for those looking for information on the women's political movement, elected and appointed officials, and party politics.” —American Reference Books Annual

From the Publisher