Description
Book SynopsisThis book explores a presumptive belief that female political role models influence other women’s political participation. It presents extensive research showing that women's descriptive and symbolic representation affects other women's candidacy decisions and electoral successes when ascending to higher political offices.Trade ReviewOwen explores a critical but ignored aspect of efforts to increase the ranks of women officeholders. Using interviews and statistical models Owen details the role of mentorship in helping women successfully run for Congress and governorships. -- Charles S. Bullock III, University of Georgia
Combining three decades of electoral data with in-depth interviews with 65 female office-holders from the halls of Congress to state legislature across the country, Karen Owen provides us with unique insight into how political role models motivate women to run for office. Bringing together research on strategic decision-making, political opportunity structures, historical accounts and psychology, she provides compelling evidence that symbolic representation—having female role models—matters a great deal. Women serving in high-level public office not only deliberately work to elect more women, but through their visibility as examples of success, also have a powerful effect on social attitudes towards women and inspire other women to run. If you have ever wondered if it makes a difference to have a woman in high-level political office, this book will give you the answer. A detailed and illuminating account of the importance and variety of female political role models. -- Barbara Palmer, Baldwin Wallace University
Table of ContentsList of Tables List of Figures Chapter 1: Women’s Ascension into American Politics Chapter 2: Defining the Who and What that Emboldens the Ascension of Women to Higher Political Office Chapter 3: Deciding to Run for Higher Office: Females’ Perspectives On Their Political Journeys Chapter 4: Determinants of Women’s Ascension to the U.S. House of Representatives Chapter 5: Climbing Higher: Women’s Ascension to the U.S. Senate Chapter 6: Moving Across the Capitol: Women’s Ascension to State Governorships Chapter7: Female Politicians: Role Models Advancing Their Gender’s Representation Appendix A: Interview Schedule for Female Politicians Appendix B: State Legislators’ Emergence to the U.S. House of Representatives and State Governorships Appendix C: Female Political Role Models References About the Author
