Feminist Pragmatism and Social Rights - (American Philosophy) by Judy D Whipps (Hardcover)

About the Book

Judy D. Whipps delves into the untold legacy of early twentieth-century feminist pragmatists who reshaped American legislative and legal history. As advocates for working women, children, immigrants, and racial justice, they fought for an interpretation of the Constitution that included social rights.

Book Synopsis

In an exploration of the little-told legacy of early feminist pragmatists who pioneered social rights in America, Feminist Pragmatism and Social Rights delves into the transformative efforts of trailblazing figures, including Jane Addams, Julia Lathrop, Florence Kelley, Grace Abbott, Mary Church Terrell, Mary McLeod Bethune, Emily Greene Balch, Molly Dewson, and Frances Perkins. As Judy D. Whipps reveals, these women created and led organizations that were prototypes for later federal programs. Their relentless advocacy reshaped U.S. politics and culture, from grassroots organizations to federal legislation, paving the way for constitutional recognition of social rights decades before the United Nation's International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. This book is the first to cast the philosophy behind these women's political and judicial activism as feminist pragmatism. Each chapter illuminates their struggles and triumphs, from combating child labor to advancing women's rights, and after their research gathered popular support for reform, they continued that work by writing drafts of legislation and legal briefs. This book not only chronicles a pivotal fifty-year movement but also serves as a poignant reminder of their enduring impact.

Review Quotes

""A must-read for anyone interested in how we might leverage our positionality and power to spark, scale, and sustain social change. Whipps' meticulously documents how relational social change methods can cultivate significant social, political, and judicial changes. Feminist Pragmatism and Social Rights exposes readers to a diverse group of historic feminist pragmatist change-makers, highlighting the strategies they employed, the challenges they confronted, and the networks of relationships they cultivated."" --Danielle Lake, Elon University

""For people like me--and my Gen-Z students--who are often overwhelmed by the intractable challenges facing the nation, this book is a source of inspiration and empowerment. Whipps highlights the stories of early to mid-twentieth century women reformers whose assiduous efforts transformed politics and culture, paving the way for many of the social rights we continue to enjoy today, from social security and child labor laws to the 40-hour work week. These narratives provide an orientation to feminist pragmatism, the philosophy undergirding the legislative and judicial activism of these figures. This neglected, complex history highlights how social change can be enacted through experimentation, pluralism, and the leveraging of collective power. Historically grounded yet future-oriented, this book is a timely and compelling reminder to protect our social rights and to continue to press onward."" --Tess Varner, Concordia College

""Feminist Pragmatism and Social Rights offers a compelling historical and philosophical account of the deeply embedded work of the early feminist pragmatists, charting the challenges and triumphs these women faced in shifting U.S. culture and politics from a focus on individual rights to a broader commitment to social rights. Whipps tells the story of how these women transformed the lived experience of their time and initiated lasting social justice reforms that resonate today. More than a historical account, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the enduring legacy of feminist pragmatism, to position this understanding within a historically embedded and relational context, and to understand how the work of these early feminist pragmatists remain relevant in our society today."" --Barbara J. Lowe, St. John Fisher University

About the Author

Judy D. Whipps is professor emerita of philosophy and interdisciplinary studies at Grand Valley State University.