Author Description

The first 10 volumes of The Young Oxford History of Women in the United States trace the path women traveled in the past four centuries and tell the stories of individuals--famous and unknown--who pushed forward the cause of women's rights. This Biographical Supplement and Index rounds out the series with the personal histories of many of these women. Some are well known, at least by name and deed, but there are many things that will surprise, fascinate, and inspire the reader. Maya Angelou is acclaimed for her poetry and other writings, but it is a delightful surprise to learn that she was the first woman streetcar conductor in San Francisco. Molly Pitcher is a familiar American Revolution heroine, but it is interesting to read that she was really Mary McCauley, a rural charwoman awarded an annual pension by the Pennsylvania legislature for her service during the war.Each biography is a "snapshot" of the woman--what she accomplished, how she lived, and what she believed. Bella Abzug, feminist activist since the early 1970s, is followed by Abigail Adams and a discussion of the role of women in the founding of our country, followed by Jane Addams, social reformer and founder of Hull House. These women lived in different times and used different methods to wield influence, but in the Biographical Supplement and Index, the contributions of talented and admirable women throughout all of our history become strikingly clear.The Young Oxford History of Women in the United States is an extraordinary achievement in scope, scholarship, and accessibility. With the publication of the final volume and the completion of the series, an invaluable resource is available for young adults and all who treasure our distinct and remarkable past.