In Good Hands: Remarkable Female Politicians from Around the World Who Showed Up, Spoke Out and Made Change

by Stephanie MacKendrick

Overview

Tools, resources and real-life role models for young women eager to start their own political journeys. No matter where you live or who you hope to represent, the experience of running for office is different if you are a woman. This one-of-a-kind insider’s guide for young women interested in elected office covers what to expect, how to deal with the inevitable challenges, and why it’s worth it. With honest, uplifting stories of women who have run, detailed how-to instructions for campaigning and loads of further resources, here’s a book to transform young women’s “I’ll think about it” into “I’ll do it!” The women leaders of tomorrow will be unstoppable!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781525305344
Publisher:	Kids Can Press
Publication date:	04/07/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	5 MB
Age Range:	14 - 18 Years

About the Author

With a background in journalism and communications, author Stephanie MacKendrick is also the former president of Canadian Women in Communications and former board president of the International Alliance for Women.

Table of Contents

Foreword Anne Moses of IGNITE 7

What's Inside? 9

Introduction: A Matter of Confidence 12

Part 1 The Journey

Michelle Stilwell - When the Impossible Becomes "No Obstacle" Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly, Canada 18

Kyrsten Sinema - From Homelessness to Capitol Hill Senator representing Arizona, United States 25

Juliana Lunguzi - Dare to Make Change Former Member of Parliament representing Dedza East, Malawi 32

Catherine McKenna - She's No "Climate Barbie" Member of Parliament representing Ottawa Centre, Canada 37

Michelle Wu - The Unexpected Path to Politics Member-at-large and past president, city council of Boston, United States 43

Mala Lattouf - There Are No Camel Taxis Minister of social development, Jordan 51

Kim Campbell - Breaking Barriers with No Regrets Former prime minister of Canada 58

Jacinda Ardern - Putting the Blaze in Trailblazing Prime minister, New Zealand 66

Kirsten Gillibrand - Wanted: Full-Time Dragon Slayer Senator representing New York, United States 73

Stav Shaffir - Corruption Stands No Chance Member of the Knesset, Israel 80

Jaime Herrera Beutler - Standing Up, Standing Out U.S. representative, Washington, United States 88

Rona Ambrose - Be Authentic, Be Bold Former leader of the Opposition and leader of the Conservative Party of Canada 94

Jenny Durkan - Intrepid Change Agent Mayor of Seattle, United States 103

Jo Swinson - Run Early, Run Hard Former Member of Parliament, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland, and leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, United Kingdom 113

Beth Fukumoto - Political Courage in the Moment of Truth Member of Hawaii House of Representatives, United States 119

Shaharzad Akbar - a Leap of Faith Senior advisor to the president and high development councils, Afghanistan 128

Erin Moran - Young and Unstoppable Board trustee, Waunakee village, Wisconsin, United States 140

Eva Aariak - One Woman, One Mission Former premier of Nunavut territory, Canada 147

Cori Bush - What Makes Cori Run? Candidate and former candidate for U.S. Congress, United States 155

Part 2 The Playbook

Section 1.0 Getting Yourself Prepared 164

Setting Realistic Expectations

Assessing Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Making a Personal Support Plan

Developing Resiliency

Using Emotions to Help You

Training for Combat

Building Confidence: From "Who, Me?" to "Why Not Me?"

Getting a Hand Up - Finding Mentors to Guide You

Finding Your Passion - What Drives You?

Volunteering - Get Involved!

Communicating with Skill

Section 2.0 Getting Started - Your 12-Step Campaign Plan Workbook 203

Assess and Build Your Support System

Identify the Issues That Matter Most to You

Learn the Local Rules and Regulations

Consider Your Funding

Learn About the Office and Jurisdiction

Learn About the Voters

Learn About the Political VIPs

Assemble Your Team

Build Your Campaign Platform

Frame Your Core Messages

Handle the Finances

Write Your Campaign Plan

Part 3 The Deep Dive

I Finding Support and Learning How: Organizations Supporting Women Candidates 230

II Essential Information 232

III Campaign Basics: Learning the Ropes 235

IV Campaign Costs: Raising and Handling Campaign Funds 236

V Books and Articles That Inspire and Inform

VI Live Viewing of Government Proceedings 238

Sources 239

Editorial Reviews

A comprehensive guide for young women interested in running for public office.—Kirkus Reviews

If you have a smart young woman in your life, she needs this book.—Heather Barnabe, CEO, G(irls)20

An inspirational toolbox to equip and empower future female leaders.—Booklist

This volume, providing inspiration and practical advice, is a good resource for any young woman looking to run for office.—School Library Journal

... an excellent resource for the politically inclined.—Quill and Quire

From the Publisher

02/01/2020

Gr 9 Up—Young women interested in politics may be overwhelmed by the challenges of campaigning and sexist expectations and pressures. MacKendrick successfully reassures readers that it is possible for women to excel in politics, and that they have significant and unique voices that should be heard. Split into three parts, the book's first and largest section shares brief biographies of 19 female politicians. All of the women share commonalities: they battled significant obstacles on the path that led them to political leadership. From British Columbia's Michelle Stilwell who was paralyzed from an accident and went on to become an Olympic star and politician, to Malawi's Juliana Lunguzi who dealt with institutional corruption, all of the profiles highlight persistence and strength. Additionally, the women portray different points on the political spectrum. The book's biggest strength is its honest and empowering depiction of the very real adversities women in politics face. The text makes it clear that feelings like self-doubt are not weaknesses. VERDICT This volume, providing inspiration and practical advice, is a good resource for any young woman looking to run for office.—Alyssa Annico, Youngstown State University, OH

School Library Journal

2020-01-07
It's never too early for girls and women to get involved in politics—and this book was designed to show them exactly how.

When former journalist and debut author MacKendrick asked former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright about the biggest challenge she's ever faced, she was shocked at the accomplished woman's answer: self-doubt. MacKendrick realized the need for a resource to encourage young women interested in politics. The book begins with a series of profiles including those of Canadian politician Michelle Stilwell, who is quadriplegic; bisexual Arizona senator Kyrsten Sinema, the only member of Congress who is openly nonreligious; Taiwanese American Boston city councilwoman Michelle Wu; and Jordan's Palestinian Muslim minister for social development Hala Lattouf. The profiles, which feature women from Malawi, Israel, Afghanistan, and New Zealand, not only chronicle the women's decisions to run for office, but also the obstacles they faced along the way. The final third of the book provides a comprehensive guide to running for office, with information about goal setting, building a support system, volunteering, networking, building a campaign platform, and finances; there is an extensive list of resources. MacKendrick's text is blunt and practical without ever feeling unkind; her matter-of-fact tone is motivating while insisting on self-reflection. Overall the book is useful and encouraging, making it an ideal read for girls with political ambitions.

A comprehensive guide for young women interested in running for public office. (Nonfiction. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews