The biography of a small-town suffragist's daughter who became one of the most powerful and influential women in the history of the U.S. Congress

The biography of a small-town suffragist's daughter who became one of the most powerful and influential women in the history of the U.S. Congress

Contains profiles, contextual essays, historical images, and appendices that provide information about the 229 women who have served in Congress from 1917 through 2006.

Historically, when sweeping policy changes or legislation of indelible consequence are signed into law, Presidents receive the credit. There is a good reason for that. Without the Chief Executive putting his pen to paper, these advancements would have nary a chance of becoming reality. In most cases, though, a President’s signature is simply the culmination of a long fight to make an idea or actual proposal a reality. In fact, quite often it is members of Congress who nurture proposals from inception to the President’s desk. Like a train leaving its first station, the legislative process often starts with a handful of people on board until slowly, a few more passengers hop on at each stop and before long, there is a full car with people standing in the aisles. Often times, a bill becoming a law is no different.