In She Changed the Nation, Mary Ellen Curtin brings Barbara Jordan’s remarkable story to life—not just as the first Black woman from the South to serve in Congress, but as a trailblazer defined by courage, brilliance, and deep purpose. From her early years in segregated Houston to breaking barriers in the legal world, to becoming a key figure in the Watergate hearings, Jordan’s journey is powerful and unforgettable. I was truly moved by the way Curtin tells her story—with clarity, care, and deep respect. Jordan didn’t just speak truth—she embodied it, leading with grace, strength, and a fierce commitment to justice. For Black women especially, she represented what leadership could and should look like.

Jordan’s time in office was relatively short—just over a decade—but her legacy still resonates. What I appreciated most is how Curtin looks beyond the headlines to reveal the woman behind the public figure: thoughtful, strategic, compassionate, and always guided by her principles, even while facing illness and discrimination. She Changed the Nation is more than a biography—it’s a powerful tribute to the impact one person can have when they lead with conviction. Like Shirley Chisholm, Barbara Jordan embodied grace and resilience, paving the way for generations of Black women in public service. I finished this book feeling inspired, humbled, and incredibly thankful for her legacy.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advance copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and University of Pennsylvania Press for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

“She Changed the Nation” covers the life and political career of Barbara Jordan, along with the barriers and prejudices she faced as a Black woman in politics.

It’s a fascinating book that follows Jordan from her childhood in the era of segregation, through her college years and rise in politics, to the height of her career followed by her eventual retirement from politics and her illness. In particular, it shows how she used pragmatism in addition to her oratory skills, building important alliances with others to achieve progressive policies such as the inclusion of language minorities in the 1975 Voting Rights Act. This pragmatism and compromise led to her being viewed by some as a “sellout” - a view which in itself shows how her perceived ambition was viewed differently to that of a white man. However, while criticised for compromising at times, she was an outspoken advocate for the Black community and for women, combating racial injustice throughout her career.

As a non-American reader, I was less familiar with certain aspects of the US political system and internal party structures, but in general enough background information was given to understand these. That said, it did occasionally take some time to get through some of the more detailed chapters.

The conclusion draws all aspects of Jordan’s life together effectively and gives insight into what she achieved not only during her political career, but beyond it. It’s easy to tell that the author is passionate about her subject and carried out significant research to put this book together. It is an incredibly informative book which I’m very glad to have had the chance to read.

An extremely well written, informative book about a character everyone should know about. Any lover of history or political science should read this book.