As a woman of many firsts, Carol Mosely Braun overcame childhood trauma from a dysfunctional family and dyslexia to become the first black female Senator of the United States. She was the daughter of a World War II veteran and a nurse. Throughout her life, she faced challenges that she overcame. These experiences shaped her into the woman she would become. Her policies focused on women's rights and social justice, drawing on the successes of her predecessors such as Shirley Chisholm and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This is her autobiography, written in her own words, showing the raw emotions she expressed and all she had to overcome. She is a strong orator who uses her faith to express her drive to help all of America. When learning from her past, you see the struggles she went through to be an effective leader. From a local politician to a senator to her final job in public service as an Ambassador to New Zealand, she is a testament that neither gender nor race can hinder you from achieving your goals.

Trailblazer by Carol Moseley Braun is filled with history, leadership , and inspiration. As the first Black woman elected as senator, she became the first of many as she fearlessly shattered glass ceilings for those to come after. This book is an inspiration and proof that the impossible is in fact possible.

inspiring and impressive memoir by an awesome person. would definitely recommend this book. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Through this book, I realized how much I did not know about Senator Moseley Braun: I knew her name; I could identify her photograph' I knew she was the first Black woman elected to the Senate-but that was all. This book helped me learn about her and develop a deep admiration for her. I recommend this book for scholars, those who are interested in American politics, African American history, women and gender studies, Chicagoans and more. I would certainly recommend this to multi-generational reading groups, and would pair well with other books such as Michelle Obama's "Becoming" and others.

I’m always interested in learning about the women that make history especially Black Women. The journey from where she comes from to where the foundation was uplifted for other women to follow suite is amazing. This is a love letter and an affirmation to keep going no matter the barriers.

"Senator Braun is without a doubt a trailblazer, being the first black woman elected to the United States Senate. This memoir gives us a full look into the many difficulties she faced in her political and professional career. I can’t imagine writing about losing her Senate seat, as well as her unsuccessful campaigns for President and Mayor of Chicago, was easy and I admire her for devoting time to discussing the effects this had on her. Ultimately, a great read from a underrated political figure."

Honestly, what an incredibly inspiring story. It is hard to listen to how much difficulty someone goes through, and understanding how much of that could have been avoided if people were kinder. Carol truly is a trailblazer and I am honored to have been able to read about their life.