A compelling look at why America has never elected a woman president, what changed to make it possible, and why women's leadership matters.From Hollywood to Silicon Valley to the halls of Congress, an intense conversation about women's leadership, equal pay, and family-work balance is underway. On the cusp of a historic breakthrough--the potential election of the nation's first woman president--Nancy L. Cohen takesus inside the world of America's women political leaders. Drawing on hundreds of hours of interviews with women governors and senators from both political parties, academic experts and political operatives, and a diverse array of voters, Breakthrough paints an intimate portrait of the savvy women who have built an alternative to the old boy's club and are rewriting the playbook for how women can rise and thrive in politics. Cohen introduces us to the inspiring women behind the women who have brought us to this threshold, as well as to a dynamic group of young leaders who are redefining how we think and talk about women's leadership, feminism, and men's essential role in the quest for gender equality.Abstract: A compelling look at why America has never elected a woman president, what changed to make it possible, and why women's leadership matters.From Hollywood to Silicon Valley to the halls of Congress, an intense conversation about women's leadership, equal pay, and family-work balance is underway. On the cusp of a historic breakthrough--the potential election of the nation's first woman president--Nancy L. Cohen takes us inside the world of America's women political leaders. Drawing on hundreds of hours of interviews with women governors and senators from both political parties, academic experts and political operatives, and a diverse array of voters, Breakthrough paints an intimate portrait of the savvy women who have built an alternative to the old boy's club and are rewriting the playbook for how women can rise and thrive in politics. Cohen introduces us to the inspiring women behind the women who have brought us to this threshold, as well as to a dynamic group of young leaders who are redefining how we think and talk about women's leadership, feminism, and men's essential role in the quest for gender equality