From School Library Journal
Adult/High School-A companion to the museum exhibition of the same name, this book features women who had what it tookto succeed despite the less-than-invitingattitudes of their times. Subjects include Mary Katharine Goddard, publisher of the first signed copy of the Declaration of Independence and owner of a print shop; Madam C. J. Walker, creator of hair-care products; Julia Morgan, architect and designer of Hearst Castle; and Hazel Bishop, creator of "kissable lipstick." The women's stories are set within the context of their eras and milieus. The text is liberally illustrated with photographs and document facsimiles. While this title may not provide complete biographical information on any one individual, it complements other sources and is entertaining reading.Peggy Bercher, Fairfax County Public Library, VACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
What might have turned out to be a rather commercial tome, sponsored by corporate heavyweights AT & T and Ford, has become a reference work to consult on the topic of women in business. Drachman, the architect of the project spearheaded by the National Heritage Museum and the Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library, does the subject proud. Copious research on little-known trailblazers such as Wall Street's Hetty Green and iron-manufacturing czar Rebecca Lukens is combined with thoughtful commentary on more modern-day icons such as Martha Stewart and Oprah Winfrey. Each of the five chapters begins with a visual time line, setting the historical context. Then, in a compelling narrative, themes and trends are woven through a text that focuses on specific women and their accomplishments in detail. Photographs and illustrations add another dimension. There's Lydia Pinkham, inventor of tonics and other health products, claiming, "A woman best understands a woman's ills." And who could forget Katharine Graham's words when she decided to publish the Pentagon Papers: "Go ahead, go ahead, go ahead. Let's go." Inspiring and long overdue. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
Meet Katharine Goddard, owner of a print shop and publisher of the first signed copy of the Declaration of Independence; meet Madam C. J. Walker, whose hair care products brought her from her slave parents' dilapidated cabin to her own Hudson River estate; and meet Hazel Bishop, whose "kissable" lipstick left an indelible mark on the cosmetics industry even after her own company disappeared. These are just three of the diverse women whose lives unfold in this engaging history of women entrepreneurs in America from the colonial era to the end of the twentieth century. Some ran businesses in industries dominated by men, such as iron and aircraft production, while others built businesses that marketed specifically to women, in industries such as beauty, fashion, and food. Despite facing gender discrimination and the burdens of work and family, these women entrepreneurs understood the value of a good idea, were willing to take a risk, and believed in the possibility of the American dream of success. Enterprising Women is the companion publication to the national traveling exhibition organized by the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University, and the National Heritage Museum, Lexington, Massachusetts. Sponsored by Ford Motor Company and AT&T with support from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Cabot Family Trust, the exhibition will open in Lexington in 2002 and travel to the New-York Historical Society, National Museum of Women in the Arts in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, Atlanta History Center, Women's Museum in Dallas, Los Angeles Public Library, and Detroit Historical Museum.


About the Author
Virginia G. Drachman is Arthur Jr. and Lenore Stern Professor of American History at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. She is author, most recently, of Sisters in Law: Women Lawyers in Modern American History.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Meet Katherine Goddard, owner of a print shop and publisher of the first signed copy of the Declaration of Independence; meet Madam C. J. Walker, whose hair care products brought her from her slave parents' dilapidated cabin to her own Hudson River estate; and meet Katharine Graham, publisher of the Pentagon Papers and owner of the Washington Post Company." These are just three of the many women whose lives unfold in this history of women entrepreneurs in America from the birth of the new nation to the end of the twentieth century. They all owned their business ventures, earned widespread public recognition in their day, and left their imprint on American business and life. They are a diverse group - from different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and from every region of the country. Some ran businesses in industries dominated by men, such as iron and aircraft production, while others built businesses that marketed specifically to women, in industries such as beauty, fashion, and food.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal