A Seat at the Table: Congresswomen's Perspectives on Why Their Presence Matters
Book Talk 

Monday, October 29th
Reception: 5:30pm
Book Talk: 6:00pm

Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) 
Eagleton Institute of Politics
Rutgers - New Brunswick

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Join the authors for a discussion of their new book

• Kelly Dittmar, Assistant Professor, Political Science, Rutgers- Camden; CAWP Scholar
• Kira Sanbonmatsu, Professor, Political Science, Rutgers - New Brunswick; CAWP Senior Scholar
• Susan J. Carroll, Professor, Political Science and Women's and Gender Studies,
  Rutgers - New Brunswick; CAWP Senior Scholar 

A Seat at the Table: Congresswomen's Perspectives on Why Their Presence Matters examines how women in Congress—in their own words—assess their experiences in and contributions to American politics. Relying on personal interviews with over three-quarters of the women serving in the 114^th Congress, the authors analyze the perspectives of women members as they seek to make a meaningful difference in a contemporary political environment characterized by gridlock and party polarization. The book considers how gender interacts with such factors as party, race/ethnicity, seniority, chamber, and district characteristics to shape women’s representational orientation and behavior; the challenges they confront and opportunities available to them; and their distinct influence as women in Congress. Findings reveal that even in an environment of gridlock and partisan acrimony, women in Congress are dedicated to their jobs as legislators and enthusiastic about the prospect of electing more women to Congress. While their perspectives, experiences, and influence are neither uniform nor interchangeable, congresswomen believe their presence matters in myriad ways, affecting congressional culture, priorities, processes, debates, and outcomes.