First published in 1987. Reprints material from the 1850's and 1860's, a period which marked a turning point in the history of British Feminism. At the centre of this was Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon, whose pioneering schemes to improve the status of women made these years some of the richest in debate and reform

Table of Contents:
Introduction; Part 1 Adelaide Anne Procter (1825–64); Chapter 1 Now; Part 2 Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon (1827–91); Chapter 2 A Brief Summary, in Plain Language, of the Most Important Laws Concerning Women: Together with a Few Observations Thereon (1854); Chapter 3 Women and Work (1857); Chapter 4 Middle-Class Schools for Girls; Chapter 5 Of Those who are the Property of Others, and of the Great Power that holds Others as Property; Chapter 6 Accomplices; Chapter 7 Reasons for the Enfranchisement of Women; Chapter 8 Objections to the Enfranchisement of Women Considered; Chapter 9 Authorities and Precedents for giving the Suffrage to Qualified Women; Chapter 10 A Conversation on the Enfranchisement of Female Freeholders and Householders; Part 3 Bessie Rayner Parkes (1829–1925); Chapter 11 The Market for Educated Female Labour; Chapter 12 What Can Educated Women Do? (I); Chapter 13 What Can Educated Women Do? (II); Chapter 14 Statistics as to the Employment of the Female Population of Great Britain; Chapter 15 A Year's Experience in Woman's Work; Chapter 16 The Condition of Working Women in England and France; Chapter 17 The Balance of Public Opinion in Regard to Woman's Work; Chapter 18 Female Life in Prison; Chapter 19 A Review of the Last Six Years; Part 4 Jessie Boucherett (1825–1905); Chapter 20 On the Obstacles to the Employment of Women; Chapter 21 On the Education of Girls with Reference to their Future Position; Chapter 22 Local Societies; Chapter 23 On the Choice of a Business; Chapter 24 On the Cause of the Distress prevalent among Single Women; Part 5 Emily Faithfull (1835–95); Chapter 25 Victoria Press; Chapter 26 Women Compositors; Part 6 Isa Craig (1831–1903); Chapter 27 Emigration as a Preventive Agency; Chapter 28 Insanity: its Cause and Cure; Part 7 Maria Susan Rye (1829–1903); Chapter 29 The Rise and Progress of Telegraphs; Chapter 30 On Assisted Emigration; Part 8 Frances Power Cobbe (1822–1904); Chapter 31 The Preventative Branch of the Bristol Female Mission; Chapter 32 What Shall We Do With Our Old Maids?; Chapter 33 Criminals, Idiots, Women and Minors. Is the Classification Sound?; Part 9 Emily Davies (1830–1921); Chapter 34 Female Physicians; Chapter 35 Medicine as a Profession for Women; Chapter 36 The Influence of University Degrees on the Education of Women; Chapter 37 On Secondary Instruction, as Relating to Girls; Part 10 Elizabeth Garrett (1836–1917); Chapter 38 Hospital Nursing; Part 11 Elizabeth Blackwell (1821–1910); Chapter 39 Extracts from the Laws of Life, with special reference to the Physical Education of Girls; Chapter 40 Letter to Young Ladies Desirous of Studying Medicine; Chapter 41 Medicine as a Profession for Women; Index;