Is There a Woman in the House...or Senate? [Library Binding]

Bryna J. Fireside (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1993 | Age Level: 9 and up

Filled with information from Ms. Fireside's interviews and complemented with many photographs, this book tells about 10 outstanding women who have served in Congress from 1916 to the present.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-A collective biography of 10 women who ventured into politics and made significant contributions to this country. Jeannette Rankin, Margaret Chase Smith, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug, Barbara Jordan, Patricia Schroeder, Millicent Fenwick, Barbara Mikulski, Nancy Kassebaum, and Geraldine Ferraro are profiled. Reading about these women is like enjoying a rich and varied tapestry of the American experience. They are from many parts of the country with various ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds. Fireside looks at her subjects' childhoods, how and why they decided to run for office, their sacrifices and rewards from a professional and personal perspective, the people and events that influenced them, and the legislation and ideas they supported and fought for. These women learned to play the political game, yet remained true to their ideals. A succinct explanation of how Congress works and definitions of such terms as hopper, sponsor, suffrage, etc., are offered within the text. The author also interviewed nine of these congresswomen; their comments make them come alive in this well-written and informative book, which is enhanced by a limited number of well-chosen black-and-white photographs.
Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-10. More women are serving in the U.S. Congress than ever before, but they are not the first. On the basis of extensive archival research and interviews with nine living subjects, Fireside examines the childhoods, educations, and careers of 10 women who have served in the House, the Senate, or both. Though an afterword reviews the general criteria for inclusion, an introductory survey of the role of women in American politics would have enhanced the theme. The individual biographies are balanced and informative, drawing attention to major achievements and contributions, such as Margaret Chase Smith's "Declaration of Conscience," which criticized Sen. Joseph McCarthy. The author has a tendency to talk down to her audience; the book is at its best when the focus is squarely on the subjects, with quotations and memorable anecdotes integrated into the descriptive narratives. A timely book illustrated with a good selection of black-and-white photographs. Julie Corsaro

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Library Binding: 144 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co (November 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807536628
• ISBN-13: 978-0807536629
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,126,948 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Empowering for Women of all Ages, August 25, 2009

By 

K. Huntermoon (Eugene, OR USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Is There a Woman in the House...or Senate? (Library Binding)

As a homeschooling parent, I read this book to see if it would fit well in our curriculum. What a surprise for me that I learned so much and felt so empowered as a result!

Did you know it was a woman in congress who introduced the bill to create an 8-hour work day? Or that Jeannette Rankin was elected to congress before women had the right to vote? Or that a woman was the only person in congress to vote "NO" to both world wars? It was Jeannette Rankin again, first woman congressperson, and she said that she figured the first time a woman had a voice to say no to war, she should say it. It destroyed her political career.

Here are women of all backgrounds, mothers, Jews, and african americans. Here are normal women like you and I who decided to go into politics to make a difference. And they did!

If you have children who are learning about government, they should have access to this book.

When my children are older I might just run for office.