Sister Power: How Phenomenal Black Women Are Rising to the Top [Paperback]

Patricia Reid-Merritt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0471193550 | ISBN-13: 978-0471193555 | Edition: 1

"Extensive . . . inspired . . . forty-five of the most recognizable and powerful black women in the country." --USA Today

"This book, about the tenacity of black women, reminds me of 'testimony service' in the true gospel tradition. By showing us the lives of sisters in dramatic leadership roles, Patricia Reid-Merritt gives us all courage. These women broke not only the glass ceiling, but also the brick walls of the old-boy network." --Dr. Gwendolyn Goldsby Grant psychologist and advice columnist for Essence magazine.

One by one, phenomenal African American women are breaking through the glass ceiling of race and gender bias. Setting political agendas, heading major institutions, and shaping corporate strategies, they are the newest architects of America's future. Sister Power is packed with groundbreaking insight into their amazing life journeys.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Activist and teacher Patricia Reid-Merrit considers common links among 45 stellar African American women leaders in such spheres as business, publishing, politics, and religion. Her engaging book delves into the experiences and environments that shaped them; how their commitment to community service was fostered; and what combination of talent, drive, and nerve carried them to the top. Like the quotes that showcase their opinions, these women are substantial, inspiring, and often gratifyingly blunt. Their ranks include civil rights activists such as the amazing Unita Blackwell; Georgia congresswoman Cynthia McKinney; Marcia Ann Gillespie, editor-in-chief of Ms.; and Reverend Willie Barrow, who expanded the scope of PUSH beyond its legacy as Jesse Jackson's brainchild. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

In this exploration of female African American leaders, Reid-Merritt, a community activist and professor of social work and African American studies at Richard Stockton State College in New Jersey, describes contemporary success stories of black women. Her 45 interviewees have diverse titles, including the president of the National Education Association, Mary Hartwood Futrell; Indiana attorney general Pamela Carter; Ms. magazine editor-in-chief Marcia Gillespie; and the CEO of PUSH, Willie Barrow. Their interesting and inspiring life stories reveal childhoods that, even when economically impoverished, were marked by a nurturing parent figure and supportive black community that fostered achievement and provided a spiritual foundation. The racism and sexism the women struggled against is also discussed. Although Reid-Merritt comments at length on the problems these powerful women have in their personal relationships with men, she does not include the experiences of lesbian African American leaders. Author tour.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 214 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 2, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471193550
• ISBN-13: 978-0471193555
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,349,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal Book, August 27, 2007

By 

Abigail Ryan "My Account" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sister Power: How Phenomenal Black Women Are Rising to the Top (Hardcover)

The information in this book is priceless to African American women in search of her path to success. I read this book and felt revived and ready to take on the world again. I recommend this book to all women who want to know what it took for those before us to carve the way for our success. It becomes unclear at times how to get where we desire. But this book will fill the reader with ideas, with hope, and with pride. Its a must read. I truly wish that it was on my reading list in college. It gave me more insight than most of my professors did.

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic review of African-American women in power!, July 7, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Sister Power: How Phenomenal Black Women Are Rising to the Top (Hardcover)

Dr. Patricia Reid-Merritt has written a book that is a must-read for anyone interested in knowing what it takes for African-American women to rech positions of power and influence in America. Through insightful interviews, Reid-Merritt shows us glimpses of the road to success these remarkable women had to, and continue to, travel. <P>Reid-Merritt also shows us the ways in which the families of these women affected their profound sense of self. Many of these women do not come from unusual families. Indeed, readers are likely to find that Reid-Merritt has revealed to the world that, contrary to widely held beliefs, most African-American families are intent on providing a sound spritual and moral foundation upon which their children can prosper.<P>This is not a book about African-American women who head social/civic-type organizations. Rather, Reid-Merritt's book focuses on African-American women who are positions where they make decisions that affect the bottom line. As th

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal as its title!, January 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sister Power: How Phenomenal Black Women Are Rising to the Top (Hardcover)

Truly a golden thread from the 1st to the 45th woman featured in this noteworthy work. An excellent reference tool full of inspiration and an insider's view. Contemporary, relative and affirming.