Encyclopedia of Women's History in America

by Kathryn Cullen-DuPont

This encyclopedia chronicles over 300 years of movements, legislation, court cases, and notable women, covering labour issues, sufferage, literature, medicine, equality, politics, athletics, and women's organizations.

418 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Brittney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent compilation of influential women in the history of the United States, but it is severely lacking in certain areas. The author does warn at the beginning of this encyclopedia that it is not comprehensive. However, pray tell how one can assume to compile a resource of this nature without including such notable figures as Ruth Hubbard (first woman to hold a tenured professorship position in biology), Arabella Mansfield (first female lawyer in the United States), Alice Stebbins Wells (first American-born female police officer in the United States), Alaska P. Davidson (first female Special Agent), or Martha Nussbaum (political, ethical, and feminist philosopher). While I do give kudos to Cullen-DuPont for including a blurb on Ayn Rand, this book would collectively be more appropriately titled "Encyclopedia of Women's Social Movements in America." In my take, this encyclopedia is doing just as much damage by focusing on women's social pursuits and all but neglecting women philosophers and scientists, as well as women within law enforcement. The frustrating dichotomy of intellectual pursuits versus social structures continues...