Product Description

This groundbreaking examination of the early influences on feminism may revolutionize feminist theory. Distinguished historian and contemporary feminist scholar Sally Roesch Wagner has compiled extensive research to analyze the source of the revolutionary vision of the early feminists.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Matilda Joslyn Gage, and Lucretia Mott had formed friendships with their Native neighbors that enabled them to understand a world view far different, and in many ways superior, to the patriarchal one that existed at that time.

This is the provocative and compelling history of their struggle to bring equality and dignity to all women, and the role played by the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) women who modelled the position women could occupy in society.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #366522 in Books
• Published on: 2001-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 127 pages

About the Author
Dr. Sally Roesch Wagner is a feminist pioneer, speaker, activist, and the author of several books and numerous articles. She is also a founder of one of the first women's studies programs in the U.S.A.

Customer Reviews

A useful corrective to official versions of feminism
I strongly disagree with the reviewer who gives Wagner's book only 1 star. While the book is by no means flawless, it also has important strengths. Wagner offers an accessible history of one small portion of feminism and corrects the mistaken assumption that feminism is a "white women's" idea and movement.

An Excellent Book!
An interesting look at how the Native American culture affected the women's movement in the US.

Flawed but useful
While I found this book offputting at times, with its hardly subtle bashing of Christians and the church, I still think that it is a useful text because it covers subjects that we all too often forget. The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) were here first.... the European pioneers, and we their descendants, did not create our society ex nihilo, out of nothing, by our own genius. Our forefathers borrowed heavily from the Five Nations, as we are reminded in this book, and it is to our detriment, and that of our society, that we have forgotten that and grown so far away from it.

Just as Dr. Wagner plays up the good and the genius of her main feminists, so she conveniently leaves out the good works of the church. Thus I feel that there are likely other areas where she has exhibited extreme bias. However, this book is very easy to read (accessible) and thought-provoking. If you live in the New York State area or find yourself in the Adirondacks, I highly, Highly recommend that you visit the Six Nations Indian Museum in Onchiota, New York. It has limited hours, but is still run by the Fadden familiy, who are familiar with this material and also offer a nice selection of related titles, such as "White Roots of Peace: The Iroquois Book of Life."

I would also very highly recommend going on from this book to read more about the Haudenosaunee, and about native agriculture, and going out to plant the Three Sisters (corn, squash and beans) in your own garden. Go forth and do good in the world.