Christine K. Jahnke - The well-spoken woman speaks out: how to use your voice to drive change

L ucy Stone, who was the first and for many years the only woman in America to campaign full-time for women's rights, inspired this book. Nothing could stop Locomotive Lucy. When doused with cold water midspeech, Stone picked up her shawl and finished the talk. When spattered with egg, she challenged the listeners to rid their minds of her spoken truths as easily as she wiped away the sticky mess. When confronted with skepticism and anger, she disarmed her detractors with a well-reasoned argument and good humor. Stone's courageous determination to devote her life to speak for the women makes her the well-spoken woman's woman.

The insight and advice of kind and talented people sustained this effort. There is no one happier that it is finished than my husband, Paul Hagen, who provided tons of editing suggestions. His unconditional emotional support was there even when he had other demands on his time, which was nearly every day for two years. My friend Sacha Millstone is a special person with the ability to believe in you more than you believe in yourself and the willingness to tirelessly tell you so. Sacha is the ultimate connector who links people with ideas to those who can get the job done. My sister, Lisa Hanson, is a reality touchstone. There aren't many who will repeatedly give you a diplomatic but honest response to the question Is this stupid, or what?

Barbara Lee is an extraordinary woman who has devoted herself to lifting up all women through her support for the arts and her commitment to social justice. Barbara and I have a shared passion for electing the first woman president. Gloria Steinem has so much to teach us all. I am grateful for her generosity, and the mere thought of her committing outrageous acts and fomenting everyday rebellion brings a smile. Ann Richards liked to say, You dance with the one that brung ya, and Jane Danowitz of the Women's Campaign Fund provided me with an early home in the women's community in Washington, DC.

Kersti Frigell is a Boulder, Colorado-based artist who created the wellspoken women portraits and illustrations in this book, including the cover. Nearly thirty drawings were produced on a tight deadline, all while Kersti reassured me that it was no problem to send the latest request right away. My thanks to the team at Prometheus Books for their belief in the relevance of the subject matter. Literary agent Gail Ross at the Ross Yoon Agency took on a first-time author, even when we were told a book about the presentation styles of famous men would sell better. Some of the most rewarding training experiences in my career have come through my association with Michael Sheehan Associates. My thanks to Michael and to Joanna Caplan, Deb McGraw, and Sara McLaren for all of our shared adventures.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of writing the book was the opportunity to interview really cool women who shared their perspectives from behind and in front of the stage curtain: Suze Orman, Tammy Baldwin, Shirley Bloomfield, Debbie Coffey, Vinca LaFleur, Isabelle Goetz, Jill Alper, Amy Weiss, Celinda Lake, and Ann Lewis.

Many thanks to the friends and colleagues who pointed me in the right direction and who gave pointed, much appreciated feedback: Kathy Beusterien, Allida Black, Matt Burgess, Julie Burton, Amy Conroy, Pearse Edwards, Becky Fleischauer, Amy Greene, Page Harrington, Adrienne Kimmell, Mac McCorkle, Bill Murat, Ruya Norton, Lenny Santiago, Bar-bara Shaw, Traci Siegel, Joan Wages, and Nord Wennerstrom. And, thanks to Elizabeth Johnson and Erin Williams for assisting with research and data collection.

Ann Richards

Indra Nooyi

Barbara Jordan

Pat Summitt

Melinda Gates

Elizabeth Dole