Powerful Political Women
Stirring Biographies of Some of History’s Most Powerful Women
by
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In Roman society, women attended social functions and intermingled on a daily basis with men. They were also afforded some economic and political rights. Greek writers cast aspersions on the Romans for this stand; Greek men often divorced their wives. In contrast, the Romans highly valued family life, often considering it a vital link to political power. Some of the Roman attitudes toward women prevailed until the Middle Ages in parts of Europe. However, with the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity, women were subjected to strict rules that regulated their rights within the family, church, and society.
Yet women throughout history kept forging their path away from patriarchal norms, pressing for private and public rights. Many great female leaders of the past and present had to balance career with family. These women were assertive, competitive, and ready to fight for the same rights and privileges held by men. Often these personality traits were viewed as unfeminine and were much vilified.
Gone is the age when women were mere trophies and subjects of their husbands and when they were expected to leave the realm of politics to men. Like corks bobbing in the stream, many women floated quietly along through their lives. Now there are women who direct the currents of history.
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About the Book
From the beginning of time, certain women—Catherine the Great, Golda Meir, Nancy Pelosi, Margaret Thatcher, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and others—have been beacons, inspiring those who followed to fight against injustice and for ultimate equality. They often risked their own lives to shatter barriers and challenge expectations, because they believed that they could bring about a change for the better.
The circumstances of their times brought out a passion, heroism, determination, dedication, talent, and feminine sensibility in these confident women, who would stand on the stage of history and fight for the political rights of their sisters. These women often suffered persecution, slander, grief, heartbreak, and imprisonment to achieve their ends. They were laughed at, scorned, ridiculed—and worse.
Here, the inspirational stories of how these extraordinary women have created and demanded change are gathered, in the hopes of inspiring their modern-day sisters to follow in their footsteps.
About the Author
Joan McMahon Flatt is a public speaker, poet, and author of newspaper articles, travel stories, and short stories. She graduated with a degree in English with honors from the University of Texas in Dallas, Texas, where she also did her post-graduate studies. She now lives in Dallas with her husband Wayne; she has five children, two stepchildren, and sixteen grandchildren.