The Challenge to Act: How Progressive Women Activists Reframe American Democracy

	The Challenge to Act describes the values-based public visions of women activists involved in progressive movements for change. Based on over 120 in-depth interviews with women from diverse backgrounds, it outlines seven values that motivate and inspire them to do their work. Taken as a whole, these values provide an alternative approach to politics and public life—one that challenges current debates about “moral values” by developing an inspirational vision for American democracy rooted in the experiences of progressive women activists. The report includes specific recommendations for policy and practice that consider how the values-based visions articulated by progressive women might reshape both politics and organizing at the national and local levels.

The Challenge to Act describes the values-based public visions of women activists involved in progressive movements for change. Based on over 120 in-depth interviews with women from diverse backgrounds, it outlines seven values that motivate and inspire them to do their work. Taken as a whole, these values provide an alternative approach to politics and public life—one that challenges current debates about “moral values” by developing an inspirational vision for American democracy rooted in the experiences of progressive women activists. The report includes specific recommendations for policy and practice that consider how the values-based visions articulated by progressive women might reshape both politics and organizing at the national and local levels.

October 2008 | IWPR No. I920| ISBN 978-1-933161-20-4 | 64 pages

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