Foreword, M. Carolyn Clark.
- Preface, Editors.
- Part I: Historical Background.
- Chapter 1. Searching for the Women in a Defeminized Past: American Adult Education Between the Wars, Amy D. Rose.
- Chapter 2. Adult Education History and the Issue of Gender: Stepping Back to Move Forward, Jane M. Hugo.
- Part II: Profiles of 26 Women.
- Chapter 3. Lucy Wilcox Adams: Proponent of Discussion-Based Adult Education, Susan Imel.
- Chapter 4. "Don't Shush Me!": Nora Bateson, Activist Librarian, Sue Adams.
- Chapter 5. Nannie Helen Burroughs: Religious Leader, Educator, Activist, Opal Easter-Smith.
- Chapter 6. Maestra Maravillosa: Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert, Rosalie C. Otero.
- Chapter 7. Olive Dame Campbell: An Appalachian Social Activist and Adult Educator, Carol E. Kasworm.
- Chapter 8. Jessie Allen Charters: "Giving the Best We Know to Mothers and Fathers", Constance E. Wanstreet.
- Chapter 9. Jean Carter Ogden: "These Things We've Tried: Democracy and Adult Education", Susan J. Barcinas.
- Chapter 10. Eve Chappell: A Fine Italian Hand, Susan Imel.
- Chapter 11. Mary L. Ely: Dedicated Adult Educator, Gretchen T. Bersch.
- Chapter 12. Dorothy Canfield Fisher: Strengthening Democracy Through Adult Learning, Charlene A. Sexton.
- Chapter 13. Mary Parker Follett: A Paradox of Adult Learner and Educator, Vivian W. Mott.
- Chapter 14. Waking Up the World: Mae C. Hawes and Adult Education, Lisa R. Merriweather.
- Chapter 15. Maria L. Hernández: An Untiring Fighter, Sylvia Fuentes.
- Chapter 16. Dorothy V. Hewitt: Pioneer and Founder of the Boston Center for Adult Education, Mary Alice Wolf.
- Chapter 17. Ruth Kotinsky: "Glancing Back, Reaching Forward", Norma Nerstrom.
- Chapter 18. "Education for Living": Roberta Campbell Lawson, Marilyn McKinley Parrish.
- Chapter 19. Florence Mary O'Neill: Her Own Path Through the Newfoundland Wilderness, Katherine McManus.
- Chapter 20. Bonaro Wilkinson Overstreet: Adult Education for an Educated Citizenry, Yvonne K. Rappaport and Marcie Boucouvalas.
- Chapter 21. Elizabeth Peratrovich: The Right to Education, Diane E. Benson (Lxeis').
- Chapter 22. Virginia Estelle Randolph and the Jeanes Teachers, Bernadine S. Chapman.
- Chapter 23. Harriett Rouillard: "The Stamp of Its Editor" on the CAAE's Food for Thought, Leona M. English.
- Chapter 24. "Whistling in the Dark": The Adult Education Work of Prison Arts Teacher Amy Paddon Row, Dominique T. Chlup.
- Chapter 25. Dorothy Rowden: Tireless Editor, Writer, and Advocate, Lisa M. Baumgartner.
- Chapter 26. Hilda "Jane" Worthington Smith: Pioneer in Women Workers' Education, Gretchen T. Bersch.
- Chapter 27. Moranda Smith: From Tobacco Plant Worker to Local Union Organizer to First African American Woman to Head a Southern Regional Union, Jovita M. Ross-Gordon and Geleana Drew Alston.
- Chapter 28. The Vision and Pedagogical Sensibility of Isabel Wilson: Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due, Shauna Butterwick and Jonathan B. Fisher.
- Part III: Conclusion.
- Chapter 29. Women, Gender Politics, and Adult Education in the Contemporary World: "Leaning In to Progress", Juanita Johnson-Bailey and Elizabeth J. Tisdell.
- Chapter 30. Themes Across the Women's Lives, Susan Imel and Gretchen T. Bersch.
- Appendix A: Other Notable Women From 1925 to 1950, Carole L. Lund.
- About the Editors.
- About the Contributors.