AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN
IN CONGRESS
FORMING AND TRANSFORMING HISTORY
by LaVERNE McCAIN GILL

"It is time for us to talk about race. It is time for us to talk about racism. It is time  for us to use our power."                                                                -Congresswoman MaxineWaters 'Provides a fascinating look at  the lives and contributions of African American Women in Congress....an indespensible reference guide for public policy makers, reporters, scholars, and others interested in learning how these women came to power and their impact on state, local, and national politics....I highly recommend it.                            -Carol M. Swain, associate professor,  Princeton University "In difficult, trying times, African American women have always risen to provide leadership. As someone who has reported on many of the talented political stars LaVerne Gill analyzes, I believe her book provides critical insight into the difficult roads these women traveled to reach their goal. Every young person who wants to understand the demands, strains, and rewards of leadership ought to read this book. Every adult who is facing a difficult job standing as the storm threatens to shake them from their foundation ought to read this book to gain strength to hold on. As Gill shows the demands of leadership are tough, but without the kind of sacrifice and vision these talented Black women exhibit, a people would perish. In lifting up these women, Gill has provided us with a gift, a treasure."                  -The Rev. Barbara Reynolds syndicated columnist, news commentator

-African American Women in Congress profiles the lives and career histories of
   Shirley Chisholm, Barbara Jordan, Cardiss Collins, Katie Hall, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Maxine Waters, Barbara-Rose Collins,
Carol Mosley-Braun, Corrine Brown, Carrie Meek, Cynthia McKinney, Eva Clayton, Eddie Bernice Johnson, and Sheila Jackson-Lee
-Readers are introduced to issues of vital importance to the Black community-Recontruction, enfranchisement, lynching, civil     rights struggles, the founding of advocacy groups, the power of the Congressional Black Caucus, the creation
   of majority minority districts that allowed greater representation in congress, the struggle of largely Black
   Washington, D.C., for representation, and the recent dismantling of past gains by a Republican majority. Gill also
    describes the uphill battles for social justice and the rights of women thet the fifteen women had to wage even within
    their own political parties, political organizations, and districts."
                                                                                                                                                  -from inside cover

LaVerne McCain Gill is the producer and creator of the public radio special "The Talented Ten: African American
Women in the 103rd Congress." She has been a print journalist and televion radio producer since 1986 and for nearly
  a decade was a member of the Congressional Press Gallery.

                                    < BACK             ORDER          METROSTAGE