📖 Overview
Gloria Feldt is an American author, feminist activist, and former CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America who has written extensively on women's rights, leadership, and social justice. Her work spans decades of advocacy for reproductive rights and gender equality, with several influential books including "No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power."
As president of Planned Parenthood from 1996 to 2005, Feldt led major initiatives to protect reproductive healthcare access and expand sex education programs. She later co-founded Take The Lead, an organization dedicated to achieving gender parity in leadership across sectors by 2025.
Her writing career includes books that examine women's relationship with power and leadership, notably "Behind Every Choice Is a Story" and "The War on Choice." Feldt's work regularly appears in major publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Daily Beast.
Through speaking engagements and leadership development programs, Feldt continues to focus on advancing women's equality in the workplace and society. Her most recent work emphasizes practical strategies for women to embrace their power and advance their professional goals.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Feldt's practical advice and concrete strategies for women in leadership roles. Her book "No Excuses" draws particular praise for its actionable steps and real-world examples. Several readers noted the usefulness of her "Power Tools" framework for professional development.
What readers liked:
- Clear, solutions-focused approach
- Personal stories that illustrate key points
- Historical context for women's leadership challenges
- Specific tactics for workplace advancement
What readers disliked:
- Some found the writing style repetitive
- Critics note a corporate-focused perspective that may not resonate with all audiences
- Several readers wanted more intersectional analysis
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: 4.4/5 (128 reviews)
Goodreads: 3.8/5 (246 ratings)
Reader quote: "The concrete examples and action items make this book stand out from other leadership advice books." - Amazon reviewer
Some readers mentioned the dated references in earlier editions, though newer releases have updated content.
📚 Books by Gloria Feldt
No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power (2010)
Examines women's relationship with power through research and interviews, providing specific tools for women to advance in leadership roles.
Behind Every Choice Is a Story (2002) Presents personal narratives about reproductive rights and healthcare decisions from diverse perspectives across America.
The War on Choice: The Right-Wing Attack on Women's Rights and How to Fight Back (2004) Documents and analyzes various challenges to reproductive rights in the United States, including legislative efforts and social movements.
Send Yourself Roses: Thoughts on My Life, Love, and Leading Roles (2008) Co-authored with Kathleen Turner, explores themes of women's empowerment through Turner's personal and professional experiences.
Behind Every Choice Is a Story (2002) Presents personal narratives about reproductive rights and healthcare decisions from diverse perspectives across America.
The War on Choice: The Right-Wing Attack on Women's Rights and How to Fight Back (2004) Documents and analyzes various challenges to reproductive rights in the United States, including legislative efforts and social movements.
Send Yourself Roses: Thoughts on My Life, Love, and Leading Roles (2008) Co-authored with Kathleen Turner, explores themes of women's empowerment through Turner's personal and professional experiences.
👥 Similar authors
Betty Friedan - The author of "The Feminine Mystique" sparked the second wave feminist movement by examining systemic gender inequalities and women's societal roles. Her analysis of women's rights and power dynamics parallels Feldt's focus on challenging institutional barriers.
Jessica Valenti - Her books examine modern feminist issues and reproductive rights through both personal narratives and policy analysis. She founded Feministing.com and writes extensively about gender politics and women's healthcare access.
Rebecca Traister - Her work investigates how single women have shaped American society and politics throughout history. She covers the intersection of gender and power structures with a focus on social movements and institutional change.
bell hooks - Her writing explores feminist theory through an intersectional lens examining race, class, and gender. She analyzes how power systems affect different groups of women, similar to Feldt's examination of leadership and institutional barriers.
Sheryl Sandberg - Her books focus on women's leadership in the workplace and strategies for professional advancement. She examines organizational barriers and provides tactical approaches for women to gain power in their careers.
Jessica Valenti - Her books examine modern feminist issues and reproductive rights through both personal narratives and policy analysis. She founded Feministing.com and writes extensively about gender politics and women's healthcare access.
Rebecca Traister - Her work investigates how single women have shaped American society and politics throughout history. She covers the intersection of gender and power structures with a focus on social movements and institutional change.
bell hooks - Her writing explores feminist theory through an intersectional lens examining race, class, and gender. She analyzes how power systems affect different groups of women, similar to Feldt's examination of leadership and institutional barriers.
Sheryl Sandberg - Her books focus on women's leadership in the workplace and strategies for professional advancement. She examines organizational barriers and provides tactical approaches for women to gain power in their careers.