Female Firebrands

October 28, 2019
A skimpy roundup of female “firebrands” fizzles in this scant offering from consultant and first-time author Kiner. A Microsoft and Amazon veteran, she was called out by her young daughter about the long hours she worked, sending her into a tailspin of guilt—but, ultimately, she was inspired to start her own consultancy focused on work-life balance. Here, she interviews 13 women from varied professional backgrounds—nonprofit, education, corporate—about handling professional challenges, from salary negotiation to avoiding burnout, and overcoming can’t-win criticisms typically levied on working women—too quiet, too loud, too arrogant, too tenacious. Kiner’s expressed hope is that her interviewees’ stories will help readers feel empowered and ready to advocate for themselves and for other women. Unfortunately, the subjects touched on, including oft-covered fare such as male privilege, imposter syndrome, #MeToo, mentorship, and the challenges faced by working mothers, receive only superficial treatment. One chapter, titled “Privilege in the Workplace,” is written in collaboration with a friend of Kiner’s, the head of diversity issues at a cancer research center, adding to the impression that Kiner herself struggled to find things to say about the book’s subjects. Between the fresh-from-transcription interviews and scant advice, Kiner brings little new to well-covered ground.

December 1, 2019
It's hard to know what to do or say?or not?in the workplace, and guidelines are not always apparent. Many of us seek ways to counter #MeToo incidents, pregnancy/mom bias, and the implicit assumptions of privilege. Enter Kiner, a human resources executive turned consultant, who details not only a road map for managing issues like these, but also sets the stage for her recommendations by interviewing a baker's dozen of women she calls firebrands, change advocates, and leaders. Most of Kiner's subjects are corporate dropouts who've founded organizations like BEST (Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking) and Tomboyx (a manufacturer of boxer briefs for women). All have had experience in combating overt and unconscious biases, and, after sharing their backgrounds, act as spokespersons throughout the book. End-of-chapter checklists form the basis for resolution suggestions, while chapter narratives add color and anecdotes to Kiner's very practical "next steps." Recommended reading for all who work, at any age. Includes glossary.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)