The Women's Movement Inside and Outside the State

by Lee Ann Banaszak

The Women’s Movement Inside and Outside the State argues that the mobilization and success of the U.S. women’s movement cannot be fully understood without recognizing the presence of feminist activist networks inside the federal government. Utilizing in-depth interviews and historical sources, Lee Ann Banaszak’s research documents the significant contributions that these insider activists made to the creation of feminist organizations and the vital roles that they played in the development and implementation of policies in many areas, including education, foreign policy, and women’s health. Banaszak also finds that working inside government did not always co-opt or deradicalize these activists. Banaszak’s research causes us to rethink our current understanding of many social movement concepts and processes, including political opportunities, movement institutionalization, and confrontational tactics, and it alters our conception of the interests and character of the American state.

264 pages, Paperback

First published December 28, 2009

Reviews

[Maureen Garza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look into second-wave feminism, but very focused on the experiences of upper- and middle-class, white women, without much mention of diversity or dissent within the feminist movement.