In this highly readable, illuminating narrative that spans the 20th century, Karenna Gore Schiff tells the remarkable stories of nine influential women who each in her own way tackled inequity and advocated change. These women recognized our country wasn't living up to its promise and fought to alter it.

The women Schiff has selected are as varied as they are inspirational:

• Ida B. Wells-Barnett was born a slave and fought against lynching.
• Mother Jones, an Irish immigrant, organized coal miners and campaigned against child labor.
• Alice Hamilton pushed for regulation of industrial toxins.
• Frances Perkins established our Social Security program.
• Virginia Durr, a high-society Southern belle, fought the poll tax and segregation.
• Septima Clark helped to register black voters.
• Dolores Huerta organized farm workers.
• Dr. Helen Rodriguez-Trias was an activist for reproductive rights.
• Gretchen Buchenholz is currently one of the nation's leading child advocates.
  

Karenna Gore Schiff delivers an intimate and accessible account of the nine trail-blazing women who deserve not only to be honored but also to have their examples serve as a guiding light for activists and leaders of tomorrow.