## Stepping Up for Equality

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Stepping Up for Equality](https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2024/06/books-kolovich.pdf)

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### Book identification
- WOMEN MONEY POWER  
  The Rise and Fall of Economic Equality  
  Josie Cox  
  Abrams Books  
  New York, NY,  
  2024, 336 pp., $30

### Core summary and argument
- The book explores the intersectionality of gender, wealth, and influence in contemporary society, weaving powerful stories and eye-opening statistics.
- Cox examines gender discrimination in the workplace and the evolving landscape of female leadership in corporate and political spheres.
- The narrative highlights both persistent discrimination and success stories of women striving for financial empowerment and equality.

### Historical cases and structural barriers
- Long-standing structural and cultural barriers hindering women’s economic advancement are analyzed in depth.
- The story of Anna Mae Krier illustrates how subtle biases, overt discrimination, and institutional inequalities drive gender disparity in pay and promotions.
- Thousands of women who joined the industrial and military workforce during World War II "received half their wages." After the war, many were pushed out of those roles, diminishing their financial well-being and professional opportunities.

### Notable figures and movements profiled
- The book traces gradual shifts in societal attitudes through stories of legal activists, reproductive rights champions, and civil rights pioneers.
- Specific individuals mentioned include Pauli Murray, Margaret Sanger, and Muriel Siebert.
- Contemporary developments covered include the #MeToo movement’s impact on workplace harassment and the rise of female corporate and political leaders.

### Policy recommendations and actionable insights
- Cox advocates the following reforms to advance gender equity in public and private spheres:
  - pay transparency legislation
  - affordable childcare
  - parental leave policies
  - reproductive rights protections
- The argument: transformative shifts are far more likely when women have equal access to opportunities and resources, and gender equality can be a source and driver of greater economic and social prosperity.

### Tone, evidence, and assessment
- The narrative combines meticulous research, case studies, and historical precedent with accessible prose.
- Cox balances optimism about recent progress with acknowledgement of persistent obstacles and setbacks.
- The book is characterized as both a call to action and a beacon of hope, intended to inspire advocates to press on with resilience and determination.

*F&D, JUNE 2024, page 78. Lisa Kolovich is a senior economist in the IMF’s Strategy, Policy, and Review Department.*

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2024/06/books-kolovich.pdf_