Women in Blue by Cheryl Mullenbach

Women in Blue by Cheryl Mullenbach ISBN-13: 9781613734223 Hardcover: 240 pages Publisher: Chicago Review Press Released: May 1, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
They were called sleuths in skirts, guardian mothers, copettes, and police in petticoats. It would be a long time—well over 150 years—before women in law enforcement were known simply as police officers.

Balancing the stories of trailblazers from the past with those of today’s dedicated officers, chiefs, FBI agents, and forensics experts, this collection of riveting biographies traces the evolution of women in policing. Women in Blue inspires readers to value those who broke through barriers—often enduring ridicule and discrimination as they fought for equality—while original interviews shed light on the daily challenges, rewards, and life on the job of various women currently in the trenches of law enforcement. The chronological progression puts hot-button issues like police brutality, race relations, and the treatment of suspects and prisoners into historic context and shows how many women in law enforcement are working to challenge and improve their field.

This rich, authoritative history is packed with colorful anecdotes, excerpts from primary sources, and sidebars on related topics and includes photos, a bibliography, source notes, and a list of organizations interested teens can explore to learn more about the world of law enforcement, making it an indispensable resource for aspiring sleuths, officers, agents, crime scene investigators, and more.


My Review:
Women in Blue is about the various jobs women have held in policing in the past to the present. It's aimed at young adults and provided resources for those interested in a career in law enforcement. I'd recommend this book to teens and adults interested in this topic.

The story of women in policing was told mainly through the biographies of sixteen women. We're told what life on the job was like for the early jail matrons and those who were among the first to patrol, be a detective, or police chief. We also learned about women in various forensic careers--like forensic artist and crime scene investigation--and in federal organizations like the FBI, US Secret Service, and customs inspections. We learned about the daily challenges these women faced, what jobs they did, and about some of their cases.

The author did a good job of showing the women in their historical context. She showed how national events like wars or the Great Depression affected their jobs and the types of cases they dealt with. She also explained how women won equal opportunities for promotion, jobs, and pay. There were photos of the women, including some that show them during training or shooting competitions.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


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