cover image Pearls, Politics, and Power: How Women Can Win and Lead

Pearls, Politics, and Power: How Women Can Win and Lead

Madeleine May Kunin. Chelsea Green Publishing Company, $14.95 (233pp) ISBN 978-1-60358-010-6

Having risen from the Vermont State House to the Lieutenant Governorship to become the first woman elected governor of Vermont (1985-1991), Kunin (Living a Political Life) is part of the new wave of women in the top ranks of government, and she's recruiting: ""Women will not have all the answers, but they are sure to inject new talent, ideas, and optimism into a political system desperately in need of all three."" Detailing her own experiences in the corridors of power-including her time as Ambassador to Switzerland under President Clinton-Kunin also calls on a long list of women in politics to discuss the problems they've overcome, the issues that have driven them and the reasons that gender does make a difference. As a guide, Kunin proves practical and candid, offering chapters on becoming a politician, ""being the leader"" and ""working with the jerks,"" but she also disseminates with chapters on women presidents around the world and female leaders in a number of settings (business, military, education). If one gets the feeling of being set up, there's reason: the ninth chapter, ""A Woman President of the United States?"" indulges Kunin's enthusiastic support of Hillary Clinton for president. Otherwise, Kunin's book will help any woman looking to take a leadership role, with a list of issues and resources to explore.