She was the daughter of a barber and grew up in a New England mill town. In an effort to save for a college education, she began working for wages at the age of 13; it was not enough.

For over three decades, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) has worked to advance good governance and support all citizens’ rights to participate in credible elections.

This article presents a conceptual orientation to the intersection of gender, politics, and violence.

Women around the world are playing increasingly visible roles in the political processes of their countries as voters, candidates, representatives, protesters, journalists and as civic educators in the home, the community and beyond.