These original biographical sketches provide an excellent introduction to both the contrasts and continuities of American women's experiences through nearly four centuries. Major subjects and themes emerge from the writings, including women's rights, suffrage, education, health, 'women's liberation,' relations between the sexes, and marriage. An excellent resource for courses in American history, women's history, and social history, Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Lives offers students a comprehensive and very human picture of women in American history.