First published 2014
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand opens her political memoir with the moment that changed everything. As a young corporate lawyer, she heard Hillary Clinton deliver words that struck like lightning: if you don't participate in decisions, you can't complain about the outcomes. This revelation launched Gillibrand from law firm associate to New York senator. She chronicles her legislative wins, including securing medical care for 9/11 first responders and repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell. She also confronts her failures, like losing by five votes on military sexual assault reform. Gillibrand shares the reality of serving while pregnant, balancing motherhood with Senate duties, and relying on her husband, two sons, and female friends for support. Her message targets women hesitant to step forward in politics, business, or community leadership. She argues that full female representation would prioritize affordable daycare, paid family leave, and equal pay. This memoir serves as both personal story and practical guide for women ready to claim their voices.
Genres: political-science, biography-memoir, activism, american-history
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: personal-story, practical-guide
Setting: New York
Period: 21st-century
224 pages · Hardcover · Ballantine Books