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An amazing journey

March 8th, 2010 Mary K. - Central

Gail Collin’s very readable account of the last fifty years of American women’s history, When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from the 1960’s to the Present, begins with a woman not allowed to pay for a ticket in a government building because she was wearing pants, and ends with the historic presidential candidacy of Hilary Clinton, whose wardrobe consisted exclusively of pantsuits. Over 50 years, Collins covers changes for women that are much more substantial than wardrobe issues, and also shows the many things that have not changed in women’s lives.

Collins documents events with stories from individual women, some famous and some not.  Included are interviews with many familar women, such as Rosa Parks, Gloria Steinem, Billie Jean King, and Sandra Day O’Connor.  There are also many less well know interviewees: flight attendants, factory workers, and housewives.  These interviews provide personal and first hand perspectives.

The first sections are the most interesting.  During the pre-Betty Friedan era middle class women were expected to stay at home (many of them expressed their frustrations at their limited options).  Single women were expected to quit their jobs when they got married, flight attendants were regularly weighed, there were no sports for girls, and there were many male only venues.  The few women who did graduate with advanced degrees were expected to take jobs as secretaries.  Sandra Day O’Connor had many frustrating experiences in the workforce after her graduation from law school.  The Civil Rights Era is also thoroughly covered.  Rosa Parks did not randomly sit down on the bus; she was carefully chosen for her role and the event was carefully orchestrated.  There were strong women leaders behind the ministers who did most of the public speaking.

Collins is an entertaining writer, who has written for the New York Times editorial page for several years.  This book is recommended for its inclusiveness and for detailing behind the scenes of history for things that often only get brief mention in history books.  Women who are veterans of the eras described will want to share this one with daughters and granddaughters.

Entry Filed under: Nonfiction