Taking On the Big Boys

March 1, 2007
True equality for both men and women can only improve our society, argues Bravo, the former director of 9to5, the National Association of Working Women. Bravo's eyeopening book examines the problem of inequality for women in the workplace and in society, exposes the myths and realities regarding women's rights, proposes detailed feminist solutions to help create real social change, and offers examples of collective action taken by individuals and organizations like 9to5 to fight oppression and domination in all its forms. She illustrates how the changes feminists want, such as pay equity, flexibility for family care, universal healthcare, and quality childcare, offer a better way for all to do business, raise families, and build society. Very readable, at times humorous, and always informative, this book can be considered your personal handbook for taking on the "Big Boys," a relatively small group of menand womenwho control the wealth and power in this country, in order to create true gender equality. Highly recommended for both public and academic libraries.Wendy Wendt, Marshall-Lyon Cty. Lib., MN

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2007
A longtime player in the womens labor movement, Bravo makes the case that feminism is not only good for women but also families, business, and the country. She relates stories from business and government that unmask the situations that patronize and trivialize womens contributions to the workplace. Identifying the big boys as those who strive to maintain the status quo, the author argues for feminism as a system of beliefs, laws, and practices that fully values women and their work. She also provides activist strategies for readers to help achieve a society where both men and women are able to reach their full potential. Although there may still be work to do in terms of womens equality in the workplace, the strident feminism of the 1970s seems out of place in todays society, albeit one where there are few females CEOs and even fewer females on corporate boards. As a 20-year director of the feminist organization 9 to 5, the author gives us a liberal dose of feminist history as she tries to reframe the old debates.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)