"A finely crafted study....Muncy's book is a fine example of recent
works that critically document women's political activism and their
influence on the making of the welfare system."--The Nation
"An important contribution to the literature on Progressivism,
feminism, and reform."--American Historical Review
"Offers a powerful and provocative synthesis of women's reform
activities and demonstrates conclusively their key role in building
the welfare state."--History of Education Quarterly
"In the burgeoning literature on women and welfare in the first
three decades of the century, Muncy's study of the female dominion
opens new territory. It is a must read."--Journal of American
History
"The argument is original and illuminating. Women's inventions in
and contributions to the formation of social welfare policy in the
U.S. have never been described more concisely and effectively than
in this book."--Nancy Cott, Yale University
"A masterful recounting of the intergenerational relations of a
group of social reformers/professionals embedded in a strikingly
original concept of a dominion of women. Gender and reform,
professionalization, public policy, are marvelous additions to our
comprehension of the first third of the twentieth century, and put
women where they belong, at the center of the development of the
welfare state."--Nancy Weiss, University of Hawaii at Manoa
"This is a very good work--interesting, well and concisely written,
and relevant to major questions about 20th-century women, politics,
and the state. I especially like the way Muncy has perceived and
presented the structure of the 'dominion,' moving across voluntary
associations, education and reform institutions, and government.
This is impressive, and I think could serve as a model for other
studies."--Suzanne Lebsock, Rutgers University
"This is not just another study of female reform. Muncy's treatment
of the professionalization of reform and the creation of new
bailiwicks for women within the federal bureaucracy is a
significant contribution to early twentieth-century social history.
The author uncovers important connections, not only among the first
generation of female progressive reformers, but between them and
the younger women they brought through the ranks. She fleshes out
much of
what we have only suspected regarding goals, strategies, and
accomplishments, placing her findings in the broader context of the
women's movement, as well as changes in government and the
professions."--Regina Morantz-Sanchez, University of California,
Los Angeles
"A superb book."--Mary O. Turner, University of California at Santa
Barbara
"In addition to offering important insights into women and reform,
it is a model monograph; it is useful for teaching the central role
of women in Progressivism....[It is] on the cutting edge of
scholarship."--Greg Field, University of Michigan at Dearborn
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