Book Description

This unique book explores the lives and work of nearly 300 New Jersey women from the Colonial period to the present century. Included are biographies of notable, often nationally known individuals, as well as less celebrated people, whose vibrant personal stories illustrate the richness of women's experiences in New Jersey—and, really, in America—from 1600 to the present. Researched, written and illustrated by The Women's Project of New Jersey, this volume both recovers and re-tells the life stories of women who have helped shape our world. Past and Promise is a long-overdue celebration of the accomplishments of these individuals who succeeded, often against overwhelming odds. Past and Promise: Lives of New Jersey Women incorporates an inclusive view of history that understands the past as the history of all of the people, not merely those who held a monopoly of power. As such this work contains biographies of artists, activists, entertainers, scientists, scholars, teachers, factory and agricultural workers, businesswomen, social engineers, and community builders. This easy-to-use and beautifully presented volume is indexed, and full of illustrations. The biographies are arranged alphabetically within four sections covering the following time periods: 1600-1807, 1808-1865, 1866-1920, and 1921 to the present. Each section is introduced by a historical overview, and each biographical entry includes a brief bibliography for further reading and research. This unique and very readable collection of biographies belongs in every public and personal library and deserves a wide audience of general readers from high school age through college and beyond.