Madeleine Kunin - The New Feminist Agenda: Defining the Next Revolution for Women, Work, and Family

In this important new book, Madeleine Kunin argues that empowering women to succeed at home and at work is both good economics and good social policy. She presents a convincing roadmap for how we achieve that vision, and calls on all of us to be part of a brighter future.

President Bill Clinton

Womens social and economic gains over the past thirty years have been staggeringbut equally staggering is how little America has changed in response. Whats needed is a new feminist agenda to bring the country up to date. Madeleine Kunin, one of the nations foremost leaders, has stepped up to the plate and delivered us a home run. The agenda she advocates is powerful, relevant, and necessary.

Robert B. Reich, author, Aftershock ,
former US Secretary of Labor

The New Feminist Agenda is singing our song! It is time for us to take the next leap forward for women and families. When we get rid of the huge bias against mothers in hiring, wages, and advancement, we will have more women in leadership, far fewer children living in poverty, and a better future.

Joan Blades, cofounder,
MoveOn.org and MomsRising.org

As one of the first woman governors, Madeleine Kunin knows how to make history and chart a positive course for women.

Ellen Malcolm, founder, Emilys List

Madeleine Kunin reinvigorates the feminist movement, bringing the discussion of womens rights to a new generation and into our new social paradigm. This fresh look at the woman of todaybalancing work and familyraises questions about how far we have really come and inspires a new advocacy agenda for women and families.

Rosa L. DeLauro, US Representative

Madeleine Kunin wants feminists to focus on the family. Weve made great stridesnearly two-thirds of women are primary breadwinners for their families or share that responsibility with a partnerbut this leaves more work to be done as full-time, stay-at-home caregivers become increasingly rare. Thank you, Madeleine, for pointing the way forward for 21st-century feminists.

Heather Boushey, senior economist,
Center for American Progress

Despite the substantial gains made by women in my lifetime, women and families need more. Governor Kunin has defined the new agenda for womenand like-minded menleading the fight for progress in business, government, education, and society in the years ahead.

Carolyn B. Maloney, US Representative

Madeleine Kunin has long recognized that women hold the potential to transform companies, countries, and the global economy as a whole. In The New Feminist Agenda , she convinces us that it will be the smart organizations and governments that embrace this reality and create the change necessary for all women to reach their full potential and to make their full contribution.

James H. Wall, Deloitte

Madeleine Kunin draws from her vast experience to craft a sweeping yet highly realistic plan for how all of us can contribute to a more-just world that will benefit women and menand their families. She offers a timely prescription for much of what ails our business and political cultures.

Brad Harrington, executive director,
Center for Work & Family, Boston College

The New Feminist Agenda is a powerful declaration of family values. With clarity and conviction, Madeleine Kunin presents a strong case for the economics and ethics of equality at home, in the workplace, and in government. There are no shortcuts to social change: action, imagination, and optimismstarting right now.

Barbara Lee, president and founder,
Barbara Lee Family Foundation

The New Feminist Agenda

The New Feminist Agenda

Defining the Next Revolution for Women, Work, and Family

Madeleine M. Kunin

Chelsea Green Publishing
White River Junction, Vermont

Copyright 2012 by Madeleine M. Kunin

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form
by any means without permission in writing from the publisher.

Project Manager: Patricia Stone

Developmental Editor: Joni Praded

Copy Editor: Nancy Ringer

Proofreader: Helen Walden

Indexer: Shana Milkie

Designer: Melissa Jacobson

Printed in the United States of America

First printing March, 2012

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 12 13 14 15 16

Our Commitment to Green Publishing

Chelsea Green sees publishing as a tool for cultural change and ecological stewardship. We strive to align our book manufacturing practices with our editorial mission and to reduce the impact of our business enterprise in the environment. We print our books and catalogs on chlorine-free recycled paper, using vegetable-based inks whenever possible. This book may cost slightly more because it was printed on paper that contains recycled fiber, and we hope youll agree that its worth it. Chelsea Green is a member of the Green Press Initiative ( www.greenpressinitiative.org ), a nonprofit coalition of publishers, manufacturers, and authors working to protect the worlds endangered forests and conserve natural resources. The New Feminist Agenda was printed on FSC -certified paper supplied by Thomson-Shore that contains at least 30% postconsumer recycled fiber.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Kunin, Madeleine.

The new feminist agenda : defining the next revolution for women, work, and family / Madeleine M. Kunin.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-60358-425-8 (hardcover) ISBN 978-1-60358-291-9 (pbk.) ISBN 978-1-60358-368-8 (ebook)

1. Work and familyUnited States. 2. Working womenUnited States. 3. FeminismUnited States.
I. Title.

HD4904.25.K865 2012

306.36--dc23

2012001372

Chelsea Green Publishing

85 North Main Street, Suite 120

White River Junction, VT 05001

(802) 295-6300

www.chelseagreen.com

For John, my first reader, editor,
constant supporter, and alsoa feminist

I thank the people who have worked on family and work issues over the years and who generously agreed to be interviewed for this book.

Every writer needs a room of her own. The University of Vermont provided me a quiet, uninterrupted office which I occupied in my capacity as a Marsh Professor at Large. I am grateful to members of the university staff who solved several computer mysteries for me, who printed out many versions of each chapter, and cheered me on. In particular, I thank Dencie L. Mitchell, Denise M. Marrero, Lisa A.Young, Laura D. Smith, and the computer guys, Philip J. Plourde and Roger Bombardier.

I thank my interview transcriber, Linda Birkenbach, for her diligent work.

Two University of Vermont work-study students provided assistance. Camille Fordy did some early research, and Monica Johnson provided critical technical assistance during the editing process.

I thank my family and friends for their ongoing support.