Waveland Press - Patricia Madoo Lengermann, Gillian Niebrugge

An essential volume for anyone interested in the history of sociology, the development of sociological theory, or the history of women in the profession, this well-researched, compellingly argued book makes the case for the active and significant presence of women in the creation of sociology and social theory in its founding and classic periods. Further, Lengermann and Niebrugge explain how the women came to be erased from the history of sociology and identify the political and intellectual currents that now make their recovery both possible and important.

The volume focuses on 15 women in eight chapters. Each chapter begins with a biographical sketch situating each thinker’s ideas in a historical, social, and cultural context. Next, the authors analyze the woman’s theory, summarizing its underlying assumptions, explicating its major themes, and introducing key vocabulary. The chapter concludes with excerpts from the original texts of the women founders. All the theories discussed in this text share a moral commitment to the idea that sociology should and could work for the alleviation of socially produced human pain. The ethical duty of the sociologist is to seek sound scientific knowledge, to refuse to make the knowledge an end in itself, to speak for the disempowered, to advocate social reform, and to never forget that the appropriate relationship between researcher and subject is one of mutuality.

“This is a phenomenal text. It approaches women’s issues across interdisciplinary topics and perspectives.” — Chiquita Howard-Bostic, Shepherd University

“It is such a relief to finally have a reader for undergraduate theory that does not feature (almost) exclusively white men. I will be combining this text with [another] to reinvent the way I teach theory.” — Carina Heckert, University of Texas, El Paso

“Excellent and well-needed addition to the sociology curriculum.” — Pamela Wakewich, Lakehead University

“A must-read for anybody interested in the erasure of women from the Western canon—in this particular case, as it regards the social sciences themselves!” — Otto Maduro, Drew University

“I am so glad you decided to reissue this book!” — John J. Schneider, California State University, San Marcos

“Despite discriminations, women were part of the early sociological tradition. It is useful to have this convenient reference work.” — Jonathan Turner, University of California, Riverside

“It was an eye opener to discover the extent of the political erasure of these women, and even the fact of the existence of Marianne Weber and others . . .” — Lynn Echevarria, Yukon College

“This is the most important book in my class on classical sociological theory. There’s no way I could provide the information and education this book includes if I had to dig it all up myself. So few theory texts pay sufficient attention to the theorists covered in The Women Founders. It’s a godsend. Indispensable.” — Ivy Kennelly, George Washington University

"All feminist sociologists should read this book, and so, for that matter, should the rest of our colleagues, especially those who teach theory. . . . It should also prove a very useful edition to sociology of gender/women courses and especially to seminars/classes on feminist theory. It is long past time that we and our students learn that women have been producing insightful sociological theories since the inception of our discipline—and why they were, for so long, hidden from view." — Janet Salzman Chafetz, University of Houston

"This text has been a tremendous asset to the discipline and to anyone interested in incorporating the women founders into their classes. It is excellent for undergraduate audiences and can be used as part of the organizing framework of the class, assigning each chapter along with the male sociologists who were writing at the same time." —Jan E. Thomas, Kenyon College

1. Present at the Creation—Women in the History of Sociology and Social Theory
A Significant Presence: Women as Sociologists, 1830–1930 / Gender and Knowledge: The Politics of Erasure / Bringing the Women Back In

2. Harriet Martineau (1802–1876)—The Beginnings of a Science of Society
Biographical Background / General Social Theory / Martineau's Relevance for the History and Present Practice of Sociology / From Harriet Martineau, How to Observe Morals and Manners / From Harriet Martineau, Society in America / From Harriet Martineau, "Domestic Service"

3. Jane Addams (1860–1935)—Ethics and Society
Biographical Background / General Social Theory / Addams's Relevance for the History and Present Practice of Sociology / From Jane Addams, "The Settlement as a Factor in the Labor Movement" / From Jane Addams, Democracy and Social Ethics / From Jane Addams, "Problems of Municipal Administration" / From Jane Addams, The Long Road of Woman's Memory

4. Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860–1935)—Gender and Social Structure
Biographical Background / General Social Theory / Gilman's Relevance for the History and Present Practice of Sociology / From Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Women and Economics / From Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Human Work / From Charlotte Perkins Gilman, The Man-Made World, or Our Androcentric Culture

5. Anna Julia Cooper (1858–1964) and Ida B. Wells-Barnett (1862–1931)—The Foundations of Black Feminist Sociology
Biographical Background / General Social Theory / The Relevance of Cooper and Wells-Barnett for the History and Present Practice of Sociology / From Ida B. Wells-Barnett, A Red Record / From Anna Julia Cooper, A Voice from the South

6. Marianne Weber (1870–1954)—A Woman-Centered Sociology
Biographical Background / General Social Theory / Weber's Relevance for the History and Present Practice of Sociology / From Marianne Weber, "Selections from Marianne Weber's Reflections on Women and Women's Issues" translated by Elizabeth Kirchen

7. The Chicago Women's School of Sociology (1890–1920)—Research as Advocacy
Biographical Background / General Social Theory / The Relevance of the Chicago Women's School of Sociology for the History and Present Practice of Sociology / From Julia Lathrop, "The Cook County Charities" / From Annie Marion McLean, "Two Weeks in Department Stores" / From Florence Kelley, "Aims and Principles of the Consumers' League" / From Frances Kellor, "Psychological and Environmental Study of Women Criminals" / From Florence Kelley, Some Ethical Gains through Legislation / From Grace Abbott, "The Chicago Employment Agency and the Immigrant Worker" / From Marion Talbot, The Education of Women / From Sophonisba Breckinridge and Edith Abbott, "Housing Conditions in Chicago, Ill.: Back of the Yards" / From Edith Abbott, "Are Women a Force for Good Government?"

8. Beatrice Potter Webb (1858–1943)—Sociology as Critical Positivism
Biographical Background / General Social Theory / Webb's Relevance for the History and Present Practice of Sociology / From Beatrice Potter Webb, "The Dock Life of East London" / From Beatrice Potter Webb, The Co-Operative Movement in Great Britain / From Beatrice Potter Webb, "Introduction to 'The Awakening of Women'"

Epilogue—Tests of Significance