After You Vote

As someone who studied political science, I felt like After You Vote was the perfect book to give to someone who is just beginning their life as an activist. I would definitely give this book to friends who have expressed that they want to be more politically active but don’t know where to start!

I have mixed opinions on this book. For the most part, I really enjoyed it and it was so so helpful and informative in how to make political changes in your community. It was very clearly explained and has great workbooks to consolidate the knowledge. However, nearer the end, it wasn’t as great as before and it lost track and became kinda boring. Good book though! Would definitely recommend!

This is definitely a great resource that I can use for my AP Government students. My students always ask me how they can get involved in politics apart from just voting, and I'm usually at a loss for what to tell them. This is an especially fantastic resource for my female students, who are even more intimidated than the boys.

We, as women, need to educate ourselves on how and what the government represents for us and by us. This book enlightens that information in a positive way. It also shows you how you can be an instrument of change in this country. Moving forward we all need to learn more and extoll our own strengths to make this a place we want to live.

I teach at an all-girls school. I will be making sure that my students read this book. I find many of my students are looking for a roadmap to use to voice their opinion and Emerson gives one between these pages. She does so much in this book that is invaluable, that if you are or know females who have any sort of political leaning, you should introduce them to this work. She does a great job setting up the problem: why should women get involved, and speaks directly to their needs and issues. She hits the nail on the head: women want to see other women lead but that sentiment hasn't transferred into reality. The book is really great and giving a primer on the political system. I think this "workbook" style approach is great and would help individual citizens reflect but also students in a classroom setting.

I think what I really come away with from reading this book is what civic engagement looks like and some thoughts on how it can be carried out. There's theory here, but it's there for a larger purpose. There is some background and factual information, but it serves a larger purpose.

Emerson does a nice job viewing women in politics from many angles, looking at several opportunities where they can join in and make a difference. I think it is an inspiring book that could compel someone to step out of their comfort zone and make a positive change.

This is such a good resource for my needs as a high school government teacher. It is important that my students learn what is needed after the vote has been cast. This provides a real account of the political process.

Your voice matters.
Courtney Emerson does a great job of providing a civics primer while explaining why and how to be active beyond voting. This should be taught in schools across the land.
This book is focused on what women, individually and collectively, can do to turn our political interests into policy. I like that she states, "this book will give you a bunch of things to think about, but won't tell you what to think, so it's a valuable tool no matter where your political interests lie." While the author obviously has her own political interests, I appreciated that she gave quotes of influential woman on both sides of the isle.

I loved the worksheets where she has you go find out who all of your different representatives are and provides links so that you don't have any excuse. She also provides links to find out where their contributions come from and how to stay informed. Next she has you define your passions and expertise to help you know where to focus your energy. And more.

I really liked how she stressed the importance of understanding and participating at politics locally, state wide, and federally. She also points out it's important to stay engaged after elections regardless of whose side won. We're also reminded it's important to listen and learn what the other side's point of view is and why.

Her facilitator told her "When you say things of consequence, there may be consequences. The alternative is to be inconsequential."

Note: I've downloaded a bunch of free, (mostly) random, pre-releases of books with the idea of expanding my range and helping authors get reviews. #netgalley