Taking On the Big Boys: Or Why Feminism Is Good for Families, Business, and the Nation - Hardcover

"Please, please, please. All working women must read this book! Ellen Bravo not only vividly exposes workplace inequities, she gives real-life solutions, picking up where my film 9 to 5 left off."-Jane Fonda

Enough about "breaking the glass ceiling." Here are blueprints for a redesign of the entire building, ground up, to benefit women and men-and even the bottom line.

The feisty humor of Molly Ivins and the journalistic flair of Barbara Ehrenreich meet when longtime labor activist Ellen Bravo relates stories from business and government and women's testimonies from offices, assembly lines, hospitals, and schools. Bravo unmasks the patronizing, trivializing, and minimizing tactics employed by "the big boys" and their surrogates: They portray feminism as women against men, and they dismiss as outrageous demands for pay equity, family leave, and flex time. Practical tips on everything from dealing with a sexual harasser to getting family members to share chores (and build equal relationships) enliven many chapters.

Bravo argues for feminism as a system of beliefs, laws, and practices that fully values women and work associated with women, while detailing activist strategies to achieve a society where everybody-women and men-reach their potential.

A former director of 9 to 5, National Association of Working Women, and a recipient of a Women of Vision Award from the Ms. Foundation, Ellen Bravo lectures nationwide and teaches women's studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She wrote The Job/Family Challenge: A 9to5 Guide (Not for Women Only) and is the co-authored The 9to5 Guide To Combating Sexual Harassment.

"Taking on the Big Boys is feminism at its butt-kicking best--an exposé, a manifesto, and a spirited, delightful read. I thought I knew a lot about women's economic status before I read this book, but I had barely scratched the surface. Bravo for Bravo!"

Barbara Ehrenreich

"Despite impressive progress,women in our society still face many challenges; they're fortunate to have champions like Ellen Bravo. She's a powerful advocate, and she makes clear in this excellent book that more needs to be done to achieve real equality, eliminate glass ceilings, reward work fairly, and strengthen families. Her proposals for reform will be of value to policy-makers, activists, and caring citizens alike."
Senator Edward M. Kennedy

" Taking on the Big Boys is such an easy read--the writing is enchanting, the information helpful and the stories accessible. By the end, Ellen Bravo convinces us that change is possible--how refreshing to end on a high note."

Amy Richards, co-author Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism and the Future

"I love this book! It's a myth-buster and an eye-opener with an easy-to-read, compelling new take. Whether you're a policy specialist or a single mom, it's a must read. "Dream the world you want," it urges--and provides a valuable blueprint to do just that. What an important contribution to building the world we all need and deserve."

Linda Chavez-Thompson, executive vice president of the AFL-CIO

"In this eloquent and bold book, Ellen Bravo brings feminism back into the national spotlight. She enlarges our understanding of feminism by connecting it to the domination of our culture by the rich and powerful. She may spur us to challenge that domination."

Howard Zinn

"Taking on the Big Boys is more than a book about women in the workplace. It defines a lifetime of courage, dedication, and activism by its author. Ellen Bravo's name has justly become synonymous with women's rights. Her influence found in organizing efforts, testimony, courses in women's studies, books and essays, and especially advice and friendship have left indelible marks on the lives of countless women, and yes, men just like me. This book reminds us that there is still work to do when it comes to eliminating gender inequality and sends a powerful message to us all, no matter what our station in life, about how to get the job done."

Herb Kohl , United States Senator

"Feminism is alive and well as long as working women and men read Ellen Bravo's compelling call to action."

Robert B. Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor; professor of public policy, University of California at Berkeley

"Stop whatever you are doing and read this book! Ellen Bravo's history of feminist activism has it all--analysis of how many of the problems we continue to face are rooted in gender-inequality, fascinating first-person accounts of the struggle to bring equity to the home and workplace, and a call to arms no thinking person can refuse. This book commands activists of all kinds to keep up the fight, and makes a compelling case that feminism is not only relevant but is a key to broader political and personal issues of our time."

Congresswoman Gwen Moore

"Thanks to Bravo for a book filled with well-told lessons about what feminism is: ordinary women making extraordinary changes that benefit women, men and our democracy. As she says, they aren't just smashing the glass ceiling, they are redesigning the buildings. Read it and you'll want to strap on your tool belt."

Marie C. Wilson, president of The White House Project

"Ellen Bravo has written an elegant, inspiring book that should put Big Boys everywhere on notice. Read this book to see how...