To Believe in Women : What Lesbians Have Done For America - A History

A unique and “often quite moving” look at gay women’s role in US history ( The Washington Post ). In this “essential and impassioned addition to American history,” the three-time Lambda Literary Award winner and author of Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers focuses on a select group of late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century lesbians who were in the forefront of the battle to procure the rights and privileges that large numbers of Americans enjoy today ( Kirkus Reviews ). Hoping to “set the record straight (or, in this case, unstraight)” for all Americans and provide a “usable past” for lesbians in particular, Lillian Faderman persuasively argues that the sexual orientation of her subjects may in fact have facilitated their accomplishments. With impeccably drawn portraits of such seminal figures as Susan B. Anthony, Carrie Chapman Catt, and Eleanor Roosevelt, To Believe in Women “will raise eyebrows and consciousness” (Dianne Wood Middlebrook). As Faderman writes in her introduction, “This is a book about how millions of American women became what they are now: full citizens, educated, and capable of earning a decent living for themselves.” A landmark work of impeccable research and compelling readability, To Believe in Women is an enlightening and surprising read. “For those who need a dose of pride and a slice of history, Faderman’s portraits should strike a popular note. ‘To Believe in Women’ is a decent starting point for learning about these pioneers and their contributions to American life.” — The New York Times I. How American women got enfranchised. The loves and living arrangements of nineteenth-century suffrage leaders Bringing the suffrage movement into the twentieth century : Anna Howard Shaw Victory : Carrie Chapman Catt Two steps forward II. How America got a social conscience. Mother-hearts/lesbian-hearts Social housekeeping : the inspiration of Jane Addams Social housekeeping becomes a profession : Frances Kellor Poisoning the source. III. How American women got educated. "Mental hermaphrodites" : pioneers in women's education Making women's higher education even higher : M. Carey Thomas The struggle to maintain women's leadership : Mary Emma Woolley The triumph of Angelina : education in femininity. IV. How American women got into the professions. "When more women enter professions" : lesbian pioneering in the learned professions Making places for women in medicine : Emily Blackwell Carrying on : Martha May Eliot, M.D. The rush to bake the pies and have the babies. **A unique and "often quite moving" look at gay women's role in US history (__The Washington Post__).** This landmark work of lesbian history focuses on how certain late-nineteenth-century and twentieth-century women whose lives can be described as lesbian were in the forefront of the battle to secure the rights and privileges that large numbers of Americans enjoy today. Lillian Faderman persuasively argues that their lesbianism may in fact have facilitated their accomplishments. A book of impeccable research and compelling readability, TO BELIEVE IN WOMEN will be a source of enlightenment for all, and for many a singular source of pride. "A reappraisal of women who are known by history but whose histories are incomplete, To Believe in Women examines how their lesbianism may in fact have facilitated their accomplishments. Lillian Faderman persuasively argues that even before a "lesbian identity" was defined, many female leaders had what would now be called lesbian relationships, free from the constraints of traditional heterosexual arrangements, which might have impeded their pursuits in education, politics, professional life, and culture."--Jacket A groundbreaking women's history of America explores the roles of lesbian women in the battle to procure rights and privileges for Americans of both genders, arguing that these early female leaders had lesbian relationships free from the constraints of traditional ties that would have impeded their goals. THIS IS A BOOK about how millions of American women became what they now are: full citizens, educated, and capable of earning a decent living for themselves.