A really interesting book - it blends memoir and politics. One of the most high-profile victims of America's political double standards. A very well-written book, Hill offers observations, analysis and facts, woven together into an engaging narrative and argument.

A must read for anyone interesting in American politics today.

A powerful work, in which the former Congressmember rises above her own troubles to outline a compelling vision for women's equality.

Hill is blunt and forthright in acknowledging her own mistakes with staffers - she holds herself to the same high standards to which she holds others. She makes no excuses.

But she does more than address the salacious details - she uses her own situation to exemplify the challenges faced by women everywhere. She is not the first to be abused by a spouse, and later the system. Sadly, neither will she be the last.

However, uses her experiences of the last two years as a launch pad to a bold vision of equality, with specific policy solutions. Reading Hill, you feel optimism. You also learn a ton.

We can hope Hill will continue to bravely use her powerful voice to bring about needed change.

Part memoir, part essay and manifesto, “She Will Rise: Becoming a Warrior in the Battle for True Equality” (2020) was courageously written by Katie Hill, who was elected to the California 25th Congressional District in 2018. Ms. Hill candidly recalls the knowledge, educational and employment opportunities that led to her service as a congresswoman in the House of Representatives and the harrowing betrayal originating from her personal life that led to her resignation in October 2019.

The truth is, that it may have been more beneficial for Ms. Hill’s public image if she had navigated and solved the complexities of personal problems with her husband Kenny Heslep (m.2010-19) before she ran for office. It wasn’t clear why he was unemployed, and Ms. Hill was their sole support. Choices made within her marriage may have put Ms. Hill in the venerable positions that fueled the sex scandals that derailed her political career. According to Ms. Hill, Heslep was extremely controlling, mentally and physically abusive. When she cautiously sought a marital separation, Heslep threatened her multiple times, warning that he would ruin her life if she left him.
The conservative blog, Red State published online nude/sexually explicit photos of Ms. Hill, and the British tabloid Daily Mail followed with an article/photo-op. Afterword, the emotional breakdown and depression that Ms. Hill experienced led to one of the darkest periods of her personal, family life and career. Ms. Hill observed that this form of criminal cyber-exploitation has been identified as Revenge Porn and has mainly victimized tens of thousands of women. This is a newer serious felony crime in many states, though difficult to prove/prosecute, as the photos are often taken by a trusted intimate partner without the victim’s knowledge. The demands for these online graphic images are endless, and we need unified strict enforceable laws to prevent this crime and protect those victimized..

Clearly, the ramifications of scandals involving men and women have very different meanings and results. Ms. Hill writes about the misogyny that too often prevails in our culture shaping a corrupt political climate of ideology and laws. The subject matters regarding women’s stories, historic reference, inequality, economic, health, domestic, political and social injustice and crimes against women are covered in great detail. This is truly an engaging informative read. Ms. Hill encourages more women particularly women of color, LGBTQ, to run for political office and openly speak their truth. ** With thanks to Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.

Katie Hill is honest about her unprecedented rise to a congressional seat and her fall. She takes blame for her
part in the inappropriate consensual relationship she had with her staffer while being quite clear about the part that her ex-husband and his revenge played. Ms. Hill is very vocal about the double standard and the history of men not having to pay the high price that she did. She makes the absolute case for representation and the need for equality between men and women and accountability. Ms. Hill strongly advocates for the need to be consistent to all people in power, particularly the many repeat offending men who have not resigned, who run for higher positions of power and get appointed. This book leaves one with an empowering feeling and hope.

Katie Hill is an excellent writer, weaving statistics and context into her personal narratives. She is honest about her inappropriate consentual relationship she had with her staffer and double downed on the consistency we need to apply to all people in power, particularly the many repeat offending men who have not resigned, who run for higher positions of power and get appointed. Double standards abound. This work ends with the gobs of sources she references throughout. I walked away from this feeling more empowered and inspired.