Women in U.S. History

For centuries, women's work was limited to the home. There were strict limits on what they could do and who they could become. Those who tested the limits faced harsh criticism. But, these women dared to be different. By breaking rules, they also broke down barriers. Their courage paved the way for the women featured in this book to achieve their dreams.

Hillary Clinton started her life as a little girl listening to her parents. They told her to work hard and help other people. Clinton did just that. She worked hard to graduate from college and then law school. She used her law degree to help children. She also helped her husband campaign for the presidency. When her husband was elected president of the United States, Clinton moved into the White House and became First Lady. But, she did not stop there. Clinton went on to become a New York Senator and then Secretary of State for President Obama.

Brave women began to fight for equality early in America's history. They wanted equal rights. They led by example and worked hard to change laws. Some of these women fought for America's freedom and helped create the laws of the new nation. Women worked to end slavery. Female pioneers helped expand the boundaries of the nation. And other women changed lives with medical care. Women's lives did not change overnight. One step at a time, American women moved closer to equality with men. This book is about the brave women who took those first steps toward change.

The fight to change the law to allow women to vote was called the Suffrage Movement. Those who joined this fight were called suffragists. Many brave suffragists organized groups, gave speeches, and held marches and parades. It took women almost 150 years to get the right to vote. This is the story of how they did it.