LEADING THE WAY

Senator Janet Howell has been a Virginia state senator since 1992. She is second in seniority in the state senate and the longest-serving female Virginia legislator. Credited with major legal reforms, she was also the first woman to serve on the powerful Senate Finance Committee and the first and only woman so far to be appointed as a senate budget conferee. A civil rights worker in college and a longtime community leader, she has been honored with many awards, including a Child Health Advocate Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Theresa Howell is the coauthor of the award-winning Maybe Something Beautiful with F. Isabel Campoy, illustrated by Rafael López. She is also the author of the picture book series Scout Moore, Junior Ranger.

“We learn and become inspired by example, and what better examples for girls than the brave and barrier-breaking women in Leading the Way: Women in Power? The women profiled here were once girls who not only dreamed big but went big. These women from different backgrounds, in different circumstances, chose to lead, and I hope the young readers of this book do the same!” —Former Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano

“Inspiring more young women to be politically active makes this book important to our future!” —U.S. Senator Tim Kaine

“It is so important that we inspire young people to become active in politics. The fifty women in this book are groundbreaking role models for our kids.” —U.S. Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton

“Focusing more on each woman’s achievements and major areas of interest than party affiliation or political lean, the authors offer a good mix of players on state and local as well as national stages, with a conscious eye to diversity…younger activists and public servants in search of courageous, tough-minded role models will be spoiled for choice even before they get to the concluding list of 30 “more leaders to discover.” Makes a strong case that where “she persisted,” others really can follow.” —Kirkus Reviews

1. Many of the profiles describe incidents or conditions in the women’s childhoods that influenced their lives later on. Discuss some of these influences and talk about the effects they had on the women. Have you had something happen in your life that makes you want to change society, or do you know another young person who has? Describe those situations and their consequences.

2. Identify activities the subjects did when they were children and teenagers, like Girl Scouts or student government, that gave them experience in organizing, working with other people, and being a leader. Talk about how these experiences translated into their careers and leadership skills.

3. Condoleezza Rice “believes sports are a great way to develop leadership skills” (page 79). Do you agree? Why? Which other women profiled here participated in sports?

4. Overcoming serious obstacles is a theme that runs through the profiles. Identify some of the barriers that the people in the book faced. How did they overcome them?

5. Kamala Harris’s mother told her, “You may be the first to do many things, but make sure you’re not the last” (page 44). What did she mean? Many of the women in this book were the first to do something important. Find examples of some of these firsts and discuss why they were significant. Figure out how long ago the women accomplished these things. Have other women followed in their footsteps?

6. While the biographies provide lots of basic facts and dates, they also weave in anecdotes and other interesting details. For example, Elizabeth Dole won a legal case by arguing that unless a lion involved in the lawsuit was present to testify, the prosecution couldn’t prove their case. At one point, Kay Bailey Hutchison owned a candy company. Find other intriguing details in the profiles and discuss what they add to your knowledge and opinion of the subjects. How do such additions enhance the book’s appeal?

7. “When people keep telling you that you can’t do a thing, you kind of like to try it,” said Margaret Chase Smith (page 91). What did she do that she was told she couldn’t? What other women in the book defied advice and convention, and what were the results? Why do you think some people tell women to aim lower and be less ambitious?

8. Some of the people profiled are immigrants. Others are first-generation Americans, whose parents immigrated. Talk about the contributions of people in both categories and how the immigration experience—theirs or that of their parents—influenced and strengthened them. Discuss the diversity among the fifty leaders in the book and talk about why diversity matters.

9. “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair,” advised Shirley Chisholm (page 20). What does that advice mean in terms of women’s progress? Why don’t some men want women to share power with them? What are the advantages to society of women being leaders? Discuss another of Chisholm’s quotes: “Tremendous amounts of talent are being lost to our society just because that talent wears a skirt” (page 21).

10. No one is successful without the help of others. Talk about the people who helped and mentored the women in these profiles, including family, teachers, political figures, and others. What form did the help take? What was its significance in the mentored woman’s life and career? Similarly, some of the women proved important to other people’s careers. Find examples of this and discuss the importance to both people involved.

11. In the final section, “How to Stand Up, Speak Out, and Make a Difference,” it says of the people profiled, “They are no different from you” (page 107). Talk about which of the leaders you think you most resemble and why. Then discuss which one you would most like to emulate and why. How might you do that? Is the person you are similar to the same as the one you want to be like?