Ahead of Their Time: A Biographical Dictionary of Risk-Taking Women

This unique reference work brings together a wealth of information about pioneering women who took risks and made remarkable strides in a diversity of fields. Whether in the name of science, sport, or humanitarianism, the spirit of adventure runs through the lives of these 75 daring woman who broke down barriers as they explored the far reaches of the globe, the depths of the seas, and the lofty expanses of space. These inspiring profiles investigate a wide range of notable women from throughout history and from around the globe. Included are the familiar and famous names such as Amelia Earhart, Jane Goodall, and Margaret Mead. Lesser known but equally inspiring women for whom it is more difficult to find information are also included, from early explorers to recent role models. An appendix offers short vignettes about women on whom little information is available, but whose accomplishments are significant particularly when they may have played a part in the contributions of other women cited here. This biographical dictionary will be a valuable research tool for students looking for information on a specific person, from a particular profession, time period or country of origin. For easy reference, alphabetized entries identify the subjects' country of origin and field of pursuit, and appendices list the names by these categories. Each biographical entry offers further suggested readings on the subject, and a more inclusive bibliography follows.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Harriet Chalmers Adams Joy Friederike Victoria Gessner Adamson Elizabeth Cabot Cary Agassiz Delia Denning Akeley Mary Lenore Jobe Akeley Jacqueline Marie-Therese Suzanne Douet Auriol Isabelle Autissier Ann Bancroft Gertrude Margaret Lowthian Bell Ruth Fulton Benedict Gertrude Benham Isabella Lucy Bird Bishop Arlene Blum Magaret Bourke-White Louise Arner Boyd Susan Butcher Rachel Louise Carson Lucy Evelyn Cheesman Clare Mary Francis Eugenie Clark Geraldyn "Jerrie" Cobb Jacqueline Cochran Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman Eileen Marie Collins Alexandra David-Neel Meta Ann "Annie" Doak Dillard Florence Catherine Douglas Dixie Amelia Earhart Dian Fossey Birute Marija Filomena Galdikis Jane Goodall Ernestine "Dee Dee" Green Beatrice Ethel Grimshaw Marguerite Elton Baker Harrison Mae Carol Jemison Amy Johnson Mary Henrietta Kingsley Monica Kristensen Ann LaBastille Sharon Christa Corrigan McAuliffe Beryl Clutterbuck Markham Margaret Mead Sylvia Earle Mead Ruth Nichols Valentina Tereshkova Nikolayev Marianne North Diana Sneed Nyad Annie Smith Peck Harriet Quimby Sally Kristin Ride Freya Stark Junko Istibashi Tabei Alexandrine Petrinella Francina "Alexine" Tinne Fanny Bullock Workman Appendix I: Vignettes of Other Women Appendix II: Women by Category Appendix III: Women by Nationality Selected and Auxiliary Bibliography

About the Author :
JOYCE DUNCAN is on the faculty at East Tennessee State University where she teaches English and Service-Learning. She is the Managing Editor of the Sport Literature Association, editor of H-Arete listserv and a freelance writer, editor and photographer. Her previous publications include numerous contributions to reference books including: Dictionary of World Biography, Masterplots II, Encyclopedia of Civil Rights in America, American National Biography, Great Events from History and Encyclopedia of Popular Culture in the United States.

Review :
.,."describes the lives of 75 women from the eighteenth through the twentieth centuries who have "broken traditional bounds and ventured into uncharted territory" on land, at sea, or in the air. This easy-to-use, highly readable dictionary is suitable for high-school, public, and undergraduate collections..."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin ?...describes the lives of 75 women from the eighteenth through the twentieth centuries who have "broken traditional bounds and ventured into uncharted territory" on land, at sea, or in the air. This easy-to-use, highly readable dictionary is suitable for high-school, public, and undergraduate collections...?-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin ?Junior high school and high school librarians who are needing to purchase reference books about women will definitely want to add this to their collections. Recommended.?-The Book Report ?Recommended for school and public libraries.?-Lawrence Looks at Books ?This book is useful in its brevity, its unique criteria for inclusion, and in the attention given to some subjects with very little exisiting or readily available material...for public and small academic libraries with a need for a collection of short biographies of notable, living women who have pushed the envelope in some way and for libraries lacking other adult sources on women adventurers, explorers, and aviators.?-Reference & User Services Quarterly ?Recommended for school and public libraries.??Lawrence Looks at Books ..."describes the lives of 75 women from the eighteenth through the twentieth centuries who have "broken traditional bounds and ventured into uncharted territory" on land, at sea, or in the air. This easy-to-use, highly readable dictionary is suitable for high-school, public, and undergraduate collections..."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin "Junior high school and high school librarians who are needing to purchase reference books about women will definitely want to add this to their collections. Recommended."-The Book Report "Recommended for school and public libraries."-Lawrence Looks at Books "This book is useful in its brevity, its unique criteria for inclusion, and in the attention given to some subjects with very little exisiting or readily available material...for public and small academic libraries with a need for a collection of short biographies of notable, living women who have pushed the envelope in some way and for libraries lacking other adult sources on women adventurers, explorers, and aviators."-Reference & User Services Quarterly