"A finely crafted study....Muncy's book is a fine example of recent works that critically document women's political activism and their influence on the making of the welfare system."--The Nation

"An important contribution to the literature on Progressivism, feminism, and reform."--American Historical Review

"Offers a powerful and provocative synthesis of women's reform activities and demonstrates conclusively their key role in building the welfare state."--History of Education Quarterly

"In the burgeoning literature on women and welfare in the first three decades of the century, Muncy's study of the female dominion opens new territory. It is a must read."--Journal of American History

"The argument is original and illuminating. Women's inventions in and contributions to the formation of social welfare policy in the U.S. have never been described more concisely and effectively than in this book."--Nancy Cott, Yale University

"A masterful recounting of the intergenerational relations of a group of social reformers/professionals embedded in a strikingly original concept of a dominion of women. Gender and reform, professionalization, public policy, are marvelous additions to our comprehension of the first third of the twentieth century, and put women where they belong, at the center of the development of the welfare state."--Nancy Weiss, University of Hawaii at Manoa

"This is a very good work--interesting, well and concisely written, and relevant to major questions about 20th-century women, politics, and the state. I especially like the way Muncy has perceived and presented the structure of the 'dominion,' moving across voluntary associations, education and reform institutions, and government. This is impressive, and I think could serve as a model for other studies."--Suzanne Lebsock, Rutgers University

"This is not just another study of female reform. Muncy's treatment of the professionalization of reform and the creation of new bailiwicks for women within the federal bureaucracy is a significant contribution to early twentieth-century social history. The author uncovers important connections, not only among the first generation of female progressive reformers, but between them and the younger women they brought through the ranks. She fleshes out much of what we have only suspected regarding goals, strategies, and accomplishments, placing her findings in the broader context of the women's movement, as well as changes in government and the professions."--Regina Morantz-Sanchez, University of California, Los Angeles

"A superb book."--Mary O. Turner, University of California at Santa Barbara

"In addition to offering important insights into women and reform, it is a model monograph; it is useful for teaching the central role of women in Progressivism....[It is] on the cutting edge of scholarship."--Greg Field, University of Michigan at Dearborn