Vote Her In: Your Guide to Electing Our First Woman President

by Rebecca Sive

Women are wildly underrepresented at every level of the U.S. government: federal, state, and local. Research has shown that women in executive government positions are far more likely than men to commit to policies that benefit women, girls, and other marginalized groups, so after centuries of underrepresentation, it's clear: our best bet for creating a system that is more fair, balanced, and just for everyone is electing our first Madam President--as soon as we can. Vote Her In is organized around the inspirational messages seen on protest signs carried at the record-breaking 2017 Chicago Women's March. Part One outlines the case for why we need to mobilize now, and Part Two provides a clear strategy for how to do it. Each chapter in Part Two includes an action plan that women can complete to help each other (or themselves) attain political power and work toward electing our first woman president. Author Rebecca Sive draws on her decades of political experience to create this crucial book, which empowers every American man, woman, and child who cares about our nation's democratic future to harness their collective power in the run-up to 2020 and, at last, form a more perfect union.

Genres: Politics

256 pages, Paperback

Published October 16, 2018

About the author

At heart, mind, and training, I am a community organizer, schooled in the Saul Alinsky mode, and in Chicago politics' approaches to working for social justice and equal rights--particularly for women. I am an historian, having taught at the University of Chicago and other colleges and universities.

I have written three books on women, politics, and power--all earnest, direct, and inspiring cries for more women leaders working to make the world a better place. They are: Every Day Is Election Day, Vote Her In, and Make Herstory Your Story.

I have had a distinguished professional career in the public sector in a variety of roles, including executive positions − in business, government, philanthropy, academia, and the not-for-profit sector. I speak about strategies for women to gain public power and influence and to be important policy makers.

I have received distinguished achievement awards from my undergraduate alma mater, Carleton College, and from the University of Illinois (from which I received an M.A. in American History), and leadership awards from the United Negro College Fund, the Jaycees, and the YWCA, among others.

At the start of their respective inaugural terms, I was among the national leaders who developed women's issues agendas for Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. I have advised numerous celebrities, public officials, and corporate leaders and was a corporate officer and director. I was also a commissioner of the Illinois Human Rights Commission; a mayoral appointee as a commissioner of the Chicago Park District; a founding board member of the Chicago Foundation for Women; am listed in Feminists Who Changed America; and have served as a director of many other organizations and foundations.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, illustrative, and motivating. A great primer reminding us how far we have to go to get women into elected positions and HOW we can all help pave the way. Really interesting historical anecdotes. Love the women's march signs.

[Paloma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is broken into two parts: part I is a largely inspirational manifesto ruminating on the historical factors and life experiences that make electing a woman president so important. Part II is much more in the spirit of Sive's first book, Every day is Election Day, which includes to-do lists and a map for personal action to making this dream a reality.

Note: I really enjoyed this read and would recommend. I should note that the vast majority of this review was spent on the 5% I did not agree with so please take that into consideration. The book is motivational and cathartic capturing what many of us felt after the 2016 election. It's bold pink and apologetically by a woman for women, and I believe there is value in that. Okay, here it goes with the 5%...

While I enjoyed this quick read, there was one major point confusion I had which would dictate whether I disagree and to what extent. Throughout the book, Sive touts the importance of electing women regardless of party. I think there's a lot to be said about the value women collaborating with other women even if they are from opposite parties so to this I largely agree. It is true that women overall tend to be more collaborative and bipartisan, working toward collective solutions.

However, most passages make it seem like electing a Madame President transcends policy concerns at least to some extent. While the need to elect a woman president might be more important than a distinction between "universal healthcare/offering everyone a public option" vs. "medicare for all", it is certainly not more important than a distinction between someone who is pro-choice or anti-abortion. To be fair, Sive does at the very end of the book say that above all else you should be mindful to evaluate a candidate by their credentials and policy without letting gender bias get in the way. But it is this slight contradiction that makes me feel unclear as to how she feels exactly on the importance of policy vs. electing women.

Another point of disagreement I have is that no matter their opinion or policy stances, other women are not the enemy. They may be "misinformed" but they are not the enemy. I strongly disagree with this. Was Phyllis Schlafly misinformed? Calling her misinformed both denies her brilliance (read as evil genius) and doesn't give credit to the major harm she inflicted on American women that has been felt for generations. There are other women I can cite, but the point stands that certainly not all women are your "sisters" and while some may be misinformed, others use their brilliance to keep other women down.

Overall, I did give this book 4/5 stars and I did agree with 95% of the points made. It was cathartic to read and acknowledges the important of having a woman's perspective in the highest office of the land. I very much enjoyed it and it was well worth a read.

[Karin]

Open it anywhere and be inspired by the timeliness and critical importance of Sive's message. I opened the book randomly at the chapter called Not Afraid and the one called Words Matter and began yelping with delight. Yes dammit! Sive has brought her lifelong study to bear on the topic of putting women in office. Such dense substance, helpful history, abundant information, crisp clarity and riproaring writing.

This book should be mandatory reading for a history class in high school for everyone. It has our history in a hot pink nutshell.

[Jessica Ivetich · Rating 2 out of 5]

It doesn’t take long to realize the author is a white woman. Heavily based in identity politics, the book seems to dismiss the intersection of gender with other demographics. The concept is a great start, but it’s filled with information that seems like a no-brainer with bits of interesting advice or anecdotes. I suppose one book can’t do it all, so I do really appreciate the compilation of resources included in the back for further reading and research.

Overall, a great coffee table book with cool imagery and bright colors, but not the foundation for my political arguments.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I took great issue with this book's argument that it is best to vote for a female president at all costs, regardless of her platform. The book ended up reinforcing more stereotypes than arguing for equality.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

“You can’t be what you can’t see”. For the sake of our girls, we must constantly work to promote equality for all.