Leading the Way: Women in Power

Virginia senator Janet Howell and her daughter-in-law, Theresa Howell (Maybe Something Beautiful), offer a hearty tribute to American women leaders in this handsomely designed anthology published to coincide with the centennial anniversary of the passage of national women’s suffrage in the U.S. Hillary Rodham Clinton contributes a motivational foreword, urging girls to “dream big, work hard, and be persistent” while emphasizing that “sometimes it’s the little things you do that can make a big difference.” Both tenets are exemplified by the 50 women featured in this compilation of taut, fact-filled biographical profiles peppered with first-person quotations. Visionaries, politicians, and activists throughout history are represented, including Abigail Adams, Soledad Chávez Chacón, Barbara Jordan, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, as well as a robust roster of luminaries in today’s headlines, among them Dianne Feinstein, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Kamala Harris, Nancy Pelosi, and Elizabeth Warren. Superfluous “Power Symbols” denoting specific character attributes (diligence, courage, empathy) appear within each profile; more effective visuals are the illustrators’ expressive, lifelike portraits of each leader. A concise “Take-Action Guide” rounds up tips for readers inspired to act on their beliefs. Ages 10–up. Agent: Adriana Dominguez, Full Circle Literary. [em](Oct.) [/em]Correction: A previous version of this review misstated the Howells' relationship.