We the Women - by Norah O'Donnell & Kate Andersen Brower (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A vivid portrait of the unsung American women from 1776 to today who changed the course of history in their fight for freedom and helped shape a more perfect union

Over a decades-long, distinguished career, award-winning journalist Norah O'Donnell has made it her mission to shed light on untold women's stories. Now, in honor of America's 250th birthday, O'Donnell focuses that passion on sharing the stories of American heroines who helped change the course of history.

We the Women presents a new and extraordinary retelling of American history through the eyes of women, introducing us to inspiring patriots who demanded that the country live up to the promises made 250 years ago in the Declaration of Independence: that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among those are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." The pressing question from women since the signing of the document has been: Why don't those unalienable rights apply to us?

Through extensive research and interviews, as well as old photos and historic documents, O'Donnell curates a compelling portrait of these fierce fighters for freedom. From Mary Katharine Goddard, who printed the first signed Declaration of Independence, to the Forten family women, considered the "Black Founders" of Philadelphia who were active in the abolition and suffrage movements, to the first women who served in the Armed Forces even before they had the right to vote, O'Donnell brings these extraordinary women together for the first time, and in doing so, writes the American story anew.

Review Quotes

"A vital reminder of the importance of women's contributions to our history--and a call to action for anyone committed to carrying forward the work that they began."--Melinda French Gates

"A fascinating book with the colorful tales of more than thirty of these risk takers, visionaries, and pioneers."--Walter Isaacson

"In We the Women, Norah O'Donnell brings long-overdue attention to the trailblazers, adventurers, inventors, organizers, and everyday women who built this country in ways history too often overlooked. It is a powerful testament to the extraordinary women who shaped America, and an essential reminder that their contributions are a vital part of our shared history."--Billie Jean King, sports icon and equality champion

"This is more than a history book; it's a moving portrait of resilience and progress, reminding us that America's strength has always owed much to the determination of its women."--Arianna Huffington

"Troublemakers and codebreakers, soldiers and doctors, poets and athletes--and heroines all . . . A lively, engaging account of women who helped shape the nation, even if the historians sometimes failed to notice."--Susan Page

"By skillfully weaving together individual stories of groundbreaking women, this terrific book reveals the central, though often hidden, role that women have played at every stage of our country's history."--Doris Kearns Goodwin

About the Author

Norah O'Donnell is a multiple Emmy Award-winning journalist with nearly three decades of experience covering the biggest stories in the world and conducting impactful, news-making interviews. She is CBS News's senior Correspondent, focused on big interviews and projects for the network, and spent more than five years as the anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News the oldest and most revered evening news broadcast in America. O'Donnell anchors CBS News election specials and is a 60 Minutes contributing correspondent. She is married to Geoff Tracy, known as Chef Geoff, and is the mother of three children.