This collection investigates the intersection of gender and socioeconomic status to redefine the parameters of women's history. The editors, Judith L. Newton, Judith R. Walkowitz, and Mary P. Ryan, curate a selection of essays originally published in the journal Feminist Studies to challenge traditional historiographical narratives. By synthesizing diverse case studies, the authors argue that class position is an essential variable in understanding the lived experiences and political agency of women across different historical eras.

Scholars and historians frequently cite this volume as a foundational text for understanding the development of intersectional approaches in women's history. The prose maintains a high level of academic rigor, making it a standard reference for graduate-level research in social history and feminist theory.