Women in Politics: Breaking Down the Barriers to Achieve True Representation

by Mary Chung Hayashi

“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.”

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s words reflect a reality that has plagued the United States for We have work to do when it comes to gender-political parity.

Still, trailblazing women in government have laid the groundwork for other women to follow in their footsteps, one inspirational example at a time.

In Women in Politics, award-winning author and healthcare leader Mary Chung Hayashi offers a riveting exploration of the strides made by women in government. This essential, contemporary analysis bridges the gap between past and present, blending Mary’s personal journey as an Asian American immigrant and former California State Assemblymember with the inspiring stories of trailblazing women in political leadership.

Featuring interviews and insightful discussions, Mary brings to life the trials and triumphs of these women, showcasing their invaluable contributions to political landscapes and the transformative power of their perseverance. Her work sheds light on the ongoing struggles for gender-political parity and serves as a call to we must actively participate in shaping our democracy. Women in Politics is not just a book; it’s a tribute to women’s political journey and a compass guiding us all toward a future of inclusive leadership and a truly representative democracy.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Feminism, Education

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2023

About the author

Mary Hayashi is an award- winning author, national healthcare leader, and former California State Assemblymember. With a distinguished career in public service, Mary has spearheaded substantial reforms in mental health services, championed gender equality, and forged powerful, unprecedented partnerships for social causes that previously had no financial or public backing. Recognized as “Legislator of the Year” by the American Red Cross and the California Medical Association, Mary has also been featured on Redbook’s “Mothers and Shakers” list and Ladies’ Home Journal’s “Women to Watch.” As Principal of Public Policy & Advocacy Solutions, she has successfully advised business and policy leaders on some of today’s most complex public policy matters. Mary remains a steadfast proponent of social justice expansion and the rights of underrepresented communities.

Reviews

[Emily Coffee and Commentary · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring and informative exploration of the historical and contemporary barriers to women in the political realm of the United States. Citing her own experiences as a Korean immigrant defying social expectations and integrating into American society and politics, Mary Chung Hayashi gives a compelling dissection of the ways in which women are still expected to behave, and how historical patterns, religion, culture, and tradition still play a massive role in a woman’s ability to break into male dominated fields, especially the cutthroat environment of politics. The inclusion of Hayashi’s own experiences is a compelling aspect of the breaking apart of the “good girl” persona, and how ambition is seen so differently through a gendered perspective. Succinct and effective nonfiction.

[Emma Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. As a woman who is trying to break into the world of news and politics I know how hard it can be for a woman in that industry. Mary Chung Hayashi's novel is a perfect encapsulation of the world of politics for women and how they are treated, seen, and portrayed in it. From personal stories to what she and others have witnessed, Hayashi creates a well researched book recounting American politics and women's past, current, and potential future roles in the it. She breaks down different aspects of womanhood and the roles it plays in politics and everyday American life.

It is approachable and easy to digest while talking about hard hitting and complex topics so that readers of all levels can understand a follow along. The book does not stray away from the problems that the current political system has and how women struggle within it, but the novel also shows how there is a place for women who are willing to fight for others and make their voices heard. Hayashi's mix of realism and a hopeful outlook on life makes it the perfect book for both people who are trying to get into politics and people who have been reading about it for years.

I highly recommend this books.

[Hannah Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly inspiring. Hayashi provides clear guidelines and calls to action to help get to gender parity within the American political scene that feel achievable. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in politics. It's incredibly current, touching on the 2020 and 2022 elections.

I also really appreciated Hayashi's writing style. Never did I feel that the language was to full of complext political jargon. The plain language the book is written in makes it easy to read and comprehend. The data is also presented in ways that make it easy to digest.

Hayashi does a great job of trying to be more partisan, calling for an increase in female representation for both the republican and democratic parties.

I can't say this book makes me want to run for a political position immediately, though I think it could inspire many others who are already leaning that way. Still, it is inspiring to me and makes me want to use the advice in my own life and career.

Thank you to Kelsey at Book Publicity Services for the gifted copy!

[Andrea Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

An honest look at the challenges women, especially women of color, face in our current political landscape. This book includes inspiring stories of women who have worked to increase representation in state and federal government, as well as plenty of advice for women to break into politics. The only thing I wish this included more of is the general history of women in US politics.

Thank you to Kelsey at Book Publicity Services for sending me this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Katie Maggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d like to thank BookPublicityServices for the opportunity to read Women in Politics by Mary Chung Hayashi. The copy was gifted. The opinions and reactions are mine. ⁣
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I focused my graduate degree on investigating the lack of equal representation for women in the workplace. Thanks to works like Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez, the concept of institutional bias promoting male-centric perspectives opened my eyes to the many barriers women must overcome to reach parity. In Women in Politics Mary Chung Hayashi makes similar arguments with a more focused lens, examining what prohibits women candidates from entering and succeeding in the American political arena. ⁣
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She argues that “for our democracy to genuinely reflect the diversity of its citizens, the active involvement of women in the political sphere is not just a hopeful aspiration or a welcome addition. It is an essential cornerstone of a truly representative democracy.” She thoughtfully lays out evidence explaining the lack of representation including gender stereotypes for strength and leadership, societal expectations for women concerning family duties, extreme focus on women’s appearance and behavior, an imagination barrier whereby we have trouble picturing women as successful in politics, lack of access to financial opportunities available to males, and compounding biases that multiplicatively derail women. There is quite a lot women have working against them if they want to enter and succeed in politics. ⁣
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Yet the situation is not without hope. The author offers antidotes to the various poisons limiting women. Mentorship. PACs exclusive to women candidates. Advocacy from candidates and voters alike. Each action moves the needle in the right direction, which will be a benefit to society overall. At over half of the population (51%), the needs and perspectives of women are critical for a functioning society. And it is crucial that women are the ones shepherding the programs that impact the lives and futures of so many. ⁣
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This book would be a marvelous addition to a high school civics course. It’s earned a spot on my shelf and will hopefully catch the eye of my 14 year old daughter.

[Ashley P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women in Politics is one of those books that had me nodding along in agreement with so many things. The “good girl” upbringing in the Asian culture really hit close to home for me: girls are taught not to speak up or speak out. Yet, how can progress be made if one does not stand up for one’s self and be heard? The discussions on gender differences in politics were also very interesting because it’s astounding how prevalent they are, regardless of career path. For example, the double standards of women needing enough confidence to be seen as a leader but tend to be perceived as aggressive while confident or outspoken men are seen as taking charge or innovative. Or that women need to appear put together but not TOO put together and yet it’s not as important of an issue for men. This book does a fantastic job of highlighting the struggles that women face yet remains hopeful in its message: women of all ethnicities should be encouraged to go into politics because representation matters.

[Shan · Rating 4 out of 5]

when I pick this book up, the first 10 pages in, I was hooked! I really resonated with the culture shock, being Asian American and the “good girl” norm in most AAPI communities. It’s an experience I still see today in most AAPI communities.
It’s really inspiring that the author used her experiences to help the community. I don’t often read books on politics so it was a welcomed experience to learn more about women’s role in politics and how Hayashi made her impacts.

[Rebecca Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful and inspirational book. Both chilling anecdotes mixed with research, this book breaks down the struggles of being a Women In Politics and offers advice and hope for the next generation. A must-read.

[Antoinette Hinrichsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Men tend to run for office because they seek a leadership position; women, on the other hand, tend to run because of an issue they care about deeply” (Hayashi, pg 54)

We need more women in politics. It is tougher for women to be in politics now, but it’s getting better, and the power to make a difference is still worth pursuing.

Women in Politics interweaves inspirational stories about women who made a difference in their communities and found their way into politics, while discussing the barriers women face along the way.

The book was a quick and interesting read. Mary Chung Hayashi organizes it into 3 parts: inspiration about getting into politics in order to champion a cause, the barriers that exist for women in politics, and lastly, ways women are able to work towards achieving gender parity.

Reading a book about women in politics forces you to confront your own personal relationship with politics, and how you relate and think about politicians and people in power. It made me think about my own perceptions (Am I guilty of having an imagination barrier about women in leadership? If so, how can I confront that?). It also made me reflect on the ways that I could do a better job supporting women leaders, particularly in politics, but also as an advocate and mentor in my own career. Although I haven’t been super politically involved, I found a lot of passages that resonated with me as a women in business, and related to Chung Hayashi’s observations about experiencing racial bias as an Asian woman and her reflections on being a female leader. While a different field, I can relate to being in a male-forward environmentwhere it can be hard to figure out how to best conduct yourself to be successful in your work while still being authentic to yourself as a person, and I finished the book with greater conviction that women can play a role in creating more inclusive and open democracies.

I gave the book 4 out of 5 stars for a few reasons— I think that if you’re not clued into politics on a regular basis, the stories are aspirational but you’ll find yourself wanting to do some googling on the side to learn who these women are (maybe this is the intent?). It would have been great to see the women in a context as a primer to the book, maybe a concentrated list of where they were politically active and a bullet on each woman’s achievement. I think this book is also very contemporary, a snapshot reflection of where we’re at and where we’re going, which makes me wonder how the book might be read in later years as politics change and ideally, we have many more women leaders!

Thank you for allowing our book club (Instagram: @JadedWomenBC) to experience this book. We were gifted the book to read and review from the publisher.

[Caitlin Rydberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could have highlighted this whole book. Everything that Mary Chung Hayashi said was important and needed to be addressed.

I received this book for my honest review and quite honestly I was nervous to read it. I thought it would upset me, which it did in some ways. Reading about the unfair discrimination and disadvantage women have in politics is well known but still upsetting to read.

However I was also inspired. Every single one of voices deserves to be heard. We deserve to be represented by the very people who know us best. We have amazing role models on both sides of the aisle. I’m thrilled my daughter gets to see that.

I appreciated Hayashi’s unbiased analysis of women on both sides of the political spectrum. She discusses what ALL women face not just one race or political party.

I hope this books falls into the hands of every woman in this country. We need it.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“But each act of speaking up adds to the conversation, until a ripple becomes a wave that becomes a storm, and the world is forever altered.”

As someone who is typically not a fan of nonfiction or politics, I found myself truly inspired by this book. Mary Chung Hayashi did a remarkable job highlighting all the barriers women face in politics and encouraging both women and men to step forward to create a truly representative democracy.

Being born and raised as an Asian American, I found myself relating to some of the same challenges Mary faced in her child and adolescent years. I believe that this a book every woman should read, not just those who are considering politics as a career.

Thank you again to Mary Chung Hayashi and Book Publicity Services for the opportunity to read this book!

[Janell Kaneshiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read not only for women but for everyone interested in the future of our nation! The author tackles a serious topic in a way that is so easy to read and kept me interested the entire time. I was aware that women are extremely underrepresented in politics but it was really eye opening to read about how much so and the obstacles women face when they run for political office. This is a meticulously researched book and I really appreciate how much work and thought the author put into it!

[Karna Bosman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In “Women in Politics", Mary Hayashi tells of her personal experience that led her to a career in public service and politics. Hayashi was born in South Korea and moved with her family to America before she entered her teens. She started her American education not speaking English and being a minority in her school. Her childhood was traumatized by the suicide of her older sister. Raised in a shame-based household, her sister had no way of getting help. Hayashi witnessed how her parents worked to erase the fact that her sister had ever existed. Hayashi became motivated to make a change and to find help for those that need it. She has been a champion in the world of mental health advocacy. In a world where women are “seen and not heard” and expected to manage the house and children rather than be educated, Mary decided to bridge the gap, attending college in the 1980’s.

Hayashi shares her story and explores the stories of other women who are engaged in the political world. Her central idea is that although much progress has been made there is still much work left to be done. There is still an American bias against women serving in positions of power. Hayashi appeals to her female readers to take hold of the power they have within themselves to speak and be heard. She points out that it is women who are needed to address the issues that affect the well being of children and families. She advocates for true representation. Women making up 51% of the population should have equal representation in the political world.

Hayashi’s book is both encouraging and motivating. In a world where we are being told what we should NOT read, here is a book that EVERY women SHOULD read. Especially those young enough to take it to heart and use their own careers to better our world. I would recommend this book to all high school and college students…not just the women! If you have a high school or college student I would encourage you to read Hayashi’s book and share it with your student.

[Shameem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sincerest thanks to Book Publicity Services for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve always been very passionate about politics so the title of this one alone grabbed me, but I deliberately chose to go into it blind (and I’m glad I did — definitely added to my enjoyment ). Typically the books regarding politics that I read are very heavy and academic, which is interesting, but I don’t usually see the very human and personal side to politics.

Hayashi skillfully incorporates her own experiences as a Korean immigrant, and the challenges that came with that in terms of balancing cultural preservation while finding her place in a new country, and how that influenced her entrance into politics. She shares some deeply emotional and difficult events in her life and the lives of her family members, and her level of vulnerability and honesty is something we just typically don’t associate with political figures.

The book goes onto discuss barriers within politics and government that exist based on identity. While, as the title indicates, the primary focus is barriers to women, Hayashi does make sure to highlight intersectional identities (race, ethnicity, religion, gender, and sexuality) and how they compound the intensity of the barriers because of who are system is designed to favor.

She also, through interviews, shares the personal experiences of countless other women in politics, who were all equally willing to be open and vulnerable about sharing their respective journeys into attaining elected positions.

While there were many moments I felt disheartened to know the obstacles that exist for women in politics (particularly being someone who had once thought of going into the field and was dissuaded for many of the reasons Hayashi discusses), I felt immense hope because she does such an excellent job of also sharing concrete action steps and a clear path forward for us to make change.

[Joanne Chang · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring read. This quote from Mary Chung Hayashi’s new book, Women in Politics, encapsulates the central message, “We all have a role to play in changing the look of leadership in our world, one elected official at a time, and an increasing involvement of women in politics paves the way for more inclusive, accountable, and open democracies.” Chung Hayashi takes the reader on a tour of all of the hurdles and pitfalls a woman has to face on her road towards holding public office. She lets us in on the motivations and dreams of women running for office, which are often different from men’s, and shares her own inspiring insights from her journey into politics. This book also includes particular challenges faced by women of color, especially after the COVID 19 pandemic, and the new ways social media plays a role. Being an Asian American woman, she wrote in detail about the very specific issues that she and other Asian American women face in the public arena. Her book is a call to arms for women from all backgrounds to recognize the need to help each other and help ourselves be elected into positions of leadership where we can influence public policy and make a difference. She stresses that this won’t happen all at once, but if women do it anyway, despite all of the naysayers and hurdles, we will get there. She offers a roadmap of sorts, drawn from the experiences of the women who came before. I really enjoyed this book and finished it feeling inspired to hold myself a little taller and to strive for greater things.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖Thank you to Book Publicity Services for a gifted physical copy of this book. This is such an important read for everyone wanting to learn more about the gender disparity in politics.

This book made me want to go into politics! Mary writes a compelling case for why we need at least 50% female representation in all political positions and why there are so many barriers for women entering the political arena. From gender stereotypes to the wealth gap, women face a steeper up hill battle than men do when it comes to campaigning and winning elections.

Although parts of this book were depressing, it was overwhelmingly a call to action for women and men to pay extra close attention to the biases they hold (both sexist and racist) and actively fight to remove these barriers women face in politics. We cannot accept the incredible lack of representation if we want to be a true democracy that represents all people. This book is required reading for American citizens to understand the dilemma at hand and fight for a more just and inclusive democracy. I’m so thankful Mary wrote this book and shared her experiences and passion.

“When women occupy political spaces, they not only represent half of the population but also advocate for issues that might otherwise be overlooked or undervalued. They challenge entrenched power structures, ushering in a more inclusive and egalitarian political environment.”

[Esta Montano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Chung Hayashi was born in South Korea. After assimilating into American culture and learning English, over time she became interested in women's issues. This book chronicles Mary's journey to the California State Assembly, which stemmed precisely from her perspective on the need for women to be involved in politics. She maintains that many women stay out of politics due to family responsibilities and males who attempt to keep politics a men's game, and this book is an attempt to make it clear that women are much needed in governmental leadership.

Women in Politics not only focuses on gender issues, but also on racial ones, primarily those that sideline women of color. Her journey as an Asian woman and the microaggressions she faced is important for readers to understand.

She concludes the book with these significant lines, "We all have a role to play in changing the look of leadership in our world, one elected officer at a time, and an increasing involvement of women in politics paves the way for more inclusive, accountable, and open democracies" (164).

Thank you to @bookpublicityservices for the advance reader's copy of this valuable book!

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best thing about this book is its balance in being inspirational, empowering, and realistic. Hayashi breaks down various reasons that prevent women from building a career in politics.

She brings perspectives from her Asian upbringing, and provides insightful commentary on the “good girl” concept that society imposes for women. She also challenges the limited (i.e., male) imagination that we may have on many roles and positions that women can occupy in society.

Her voice is mature, imparting wisdom from her own experience and other women’s in public office. This book reads almost like a manual on what to expect if you’re a woman trying to build a career in politics and run for office. It’s realistic on the things that are unfair due to decades of inequality for women, but hopeful in the path toward equal representation.

A great resource if you want to learn about women in leadership.

Note: I received a gifted copy of this book from Book Publicity Services in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily Malek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I was given a copy of this book by Books Publicity Services in exchange for an honest review.

Content warning: this review talks about mental health and suicide.

I’m not one who gets into politics that much, but it’s amazing to see how many women were running for various political offices, including for President, in 2024. There’s still a long way to go to achieve true and equal representation in that area. Luckily, while the most recent election cycle was going on, I read the book "Women in Politics: Breaking Down the Barriers to Achieve True Representation" by Mary Chung Hayashi. It provided reasons why women face obstacles while running for political offices and reasonable advice on how to overcome in a highly approachable way.

To read more of this review, cilck on this link: https://chick-who-reads-everything.co...

[Cal Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A ton of really interesting info about gender and political office… men are more likely to feel more confident to run even if they’re not qualified compared to women. Or the gender wage/wealth gap also applies to political fundraising. Or how women are criticized more than men, and even with positive comments on their appearance, it hurts them more than male candidates. I thought the book breaks down some of these concepts really well about representation.

My one minor bone to pick is some of the generalizations about Korean culture and the push to be a “good girl.”

Otherwise a great read, I learned a lot about female politicians and trends in how they push for legislation. I thought it was great that the author also interviewed other female politicians in the book as well, an important read overall.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank MKC Press and Mary Chung Hayashi for the signed copy of this book.

I really loved reading this novel, which not only refreshed my memory on many political issues from the past, but told me of even more that I had been aware of. Nobody needs to tell you that the media needs to tell you that women are treated differently by the media. I am just a few years older than Chelsea Clinton and still remember how much they mocked her as a pre-teen. Then as I was watching more of the news, I saw how the treated Hilary Clinton and then every other women in the world.

Not that the author will ever see this, but on the off chance she does, I know it has been years, but I am so sorry for the loss of your sister. I can't understand your pain, but I truly hope you have found peace and comfort.

[Ashley Gulyas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really inspirational book to read in these last couple weeks of campaign season leading up to Election Day today. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to see a change in the landscape of government at all levels. Even if you never intend to run for office, we all have a role to play in getting more women elected. (And who knows! You might just find yourself feeling inspired to run for something after all!)

This book analyzed the current situation and offered actionable suggestions for us to move forward. A key theme is breaking down the “imagination barrier” - the mental block that many have on viewing women as leaders in our country.

This book is a quick read - it’s just over 150 pages. I highly recommend reading it!

[Jenny Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Mary Chung Hayashi has written a masterful book on the trials and tribulations that women face when they enter Politics. Highlighting her own journey as a Korean Immigrant, Hayashi details the struggles of cultural adaptation and integration; her path to public service; and how supporting other women with their political aspirations is so vital to success. The trailblazing women featured in the book share their stories and offer the reader insight into the decision making process that each faced when contemplating running for public office. A must read best seller - Women in Politics is powerful and compelling.

[Anastasia Weaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those not already involved

If you are just now dipping your toes in to politics and/or feminism than this is an informative book. However, for anyone who has been paying attention to such things for at least the last 5 years, you already know all of this.
It's decently written and sourced, and nonpartisan. I don't find it particularly inspiring though, and it didn't offer any real solutions to the issues women in politics face. Instead it just listed the issues.
I received this book for free in a giveaway on GoodReads.

[Peter Chung · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the message in this book that women can write their life paths and see that they don’t have to be controlled by their backgrounds, ethnicities, or family histories. Mary Hayashi’s book showcases that many women in politics have overcome significant cultural barriers in their journeys toward leadership. I hope all my children will read this book and learn the many valuable lessons about women in leadership.

[Anastasia Weaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are just now dipping your toes in to politics and/or feminism than this is an informative book. However, for anyone who has been paying attention to such things for at least the last 5 years, you already know all of this.
It's decently written and sourced, and nonpartisan. I don't find it particularly inspiring though, and it didn't offer any real solutions to the issues women in politics face. Instead it just listed the issues.
I received this book for free in a giveaway on GoodReads.

[Jess Conley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frustrating negativity

As a woman, this book did not convince me to work in politics. I'm sure everything written is all true but I think this book could have been written differently with a more positive answer supportive to women approach. The politicians mentioned were almost like tongue in cheek, disgusted in their work. I found it to be too negative.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read and I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading a powerful story. Mary Hayashi speaks about her challenges and the overall message of the book is EMPOWERING!!

[Tina Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Hayashi did a great job engaging me as reader who doesn’t have an extensive knowledge in politics. I felt like the “good girl” complex was very relatable. Her book was informational, thought provoking and inspiring. An easy read!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exceptional and so very timely and important. I found myself unable to stop reading it and felt inspired by the women who are attempting to give 'voices to the voiceless'.

The writing in here is accessible, evocative and remarkably well laid out. It was absolutely wonderful.