Review of "They Led the Way: 14 American Women," by Johanna Johnston

Review of

They Led the Way: 14 American Women, by Johanna Johnston ISBN 059044431x

Five out of five stars

 Modern American women do not receive a satisfactory education in the history of the position of women in society. Less than one hundred years ago women could not vote in federal elections and their property rights were largely derived from the male relatives in their lives. Career opportunities were limited, there were few professional women outside of teaching, nursing and other traditional female occupations. Women generally quit working when they got married and even those that didn’t were often forced to quit if they got pregnant. This book contains short biographies of 14 women that refused to accept their conditions and worked to change the world that women faced.

 The women featured are: Anne Hutchison, Anne Bradstreet, Lady Deborah Moody, Phillis Wheatley, Abigail Adams, Emma Willard, Ernestine Rose, Elizabeth Blackwell, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Clara Barton, Victoria Woodhull, Nellie Bly and Carrie Chapman Catt.

 Each of these women performed a major role in advocating for and trailblazing rights for females in society. Some names are well known while others are not. This book describes what they did and should be read by young women, it will help them understand that there was a long fight for where they are now and the consequences of going back.