Chapter 9: Black American Women’s Political Experiences: Leadership Lessons for Women Globally

A web search in Google Books of the term “women’s empowerment” brings up over 100,000 titles, representing widespread interest in feminist issues from around the world. Since the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City on September 11, 2001, wars of invasion and religion have accelerated research related to the issue of women’s empowerment in the United States and across the globe. Girls and women are being raped, burned by acid, kidnapped, and killed by individuals who oppose women’s access to political power and their demands for increased social, educational, and economic rights. In recent years, the daily news has given the impression that women’s participation in politics from advocacy and activist roles with an emphasis on expanding women’s rights to holding formal political leadership positions can be hazardous to women’s health. The cumulative effect is that, if women are not adequately represented in the political leadership ranks, there is the danger that public policy decisions will lack the distinctive perspective women bring to important issues.