From the Publisher
"Women in Politics is a book that inspires women, reminding them that their voice does matter. But it's more than that. Mary's political and other achievements are significant not because she is a woman, but because she worked tirelessly to ensure their importance. As a result, these accomplishments have become life-altering solutions for women."
-MARIEL HEMINGWAY, ACTRESS AND AUTHOR
"Mary Chung Hayashi was an early advocate for mental health reform, a California State Representative, and is a veteran political consultant. In this book, she tells it true: where we've been, where we are, and where we need to go to achieve true representation in politics." - PEGGY ORENSTEIN, author of the New York Times bestsellers Boys & Sex, Girls & Sex, and Schoolgirls, and internationally acclaimed expert on young women, self-esteem, and the confidence gap.
"Hayashi offers a memoir and how-to guide for women seeking political office. The author, a former California state legislator, award-winning health care advocate, and writer, presents a hard-hitting account of her experience as an Asian American woman in politics, using her personal history and the stories of other female politicians (both well known and less so) to provide actionable advice for women with similar ambitions. She looks in depth at the intersectional issues involved in public office, comparing the challenges women belonging to different racial minorities face... The book is a well-crafted and thoughtful guide for aspiring women officeholders ... this is a valuable guide for women interested in pursuing a career as an elected official. An important look at how far women have come and still have to go in politics." - KIRKUS REVIEWS
Kirkus Reviews
2023-11-02
Hayashi offers a how-to guide for women seeking political office.
The author, a former California state legislator, award-winning health care advocate, and writer, presents a hard-hitting account of her experience as an Asian American woman in politics, using her personal history and the stories of other female politicians (both well known and less so) to provide actionable advice for women with similar ambitions. The book begins autobiographically, with an account of the author growing up as part of a Korean immigrant community and struggling to move beyond the “good girl” expectations of her culture: “being good meant keeping my thoughts and opinions to myself. Any direct communication—even direct eye contact—was discouraged, and avoiding conflict altogether was expected.” Hayashi broadens her focus to examine the structural challenges women face when running for office—and holding that office once won. She looks in depth at the intersectional issues involved in public office, comparing the challenges women belonging to different racial minorities face: “Racial barriers compound the many other obstacles faced by all women, making it even harder for minority women to achieve positions of power and leadership. This is the case with our ability to receive endorsements, raise campaign money, and win votes.” The book is a well-crafted and thoughtful guide for aspiring women officeholders, but it has some limitations; sexuality is not addressed, and the text only makes vague mention of “minority religious groups” who might be subject to social media hate. For example, Hayashi fails to acknowledge the Jewish identity of Jael Silliman, who’s written about the Indian Jewish community she hails from and proudly identifies with, identifying her as simply “a south Asian woman.” These reservations aside, this is a valuable guide for women interested in pursuing a career as an elected official.
An important look at how far women have come and still have to go in politics.
