Review of Reinventing Fundraising: Realizing the Potential of Women\u27s Philanthropy by Sondra C. Shaw and Martha A. Taylor

Studies of women note the unique nature of female leadership (Aburdene & Naisbitt, 1992; Helgeson, 1995; Sergiovanni, 1995). As women\u27s leadership roles in the workforce increase (Helgeson, 1995; Ruderman & Ohlott, 2002), the potential for women\u27s leadership in philanthropy is acknowledged. In Reinventing Fundraising: Realizing the Potential o/Women \u27s Philanthropy, Shaw and Taylor address the potential of women philanthropists-and make special note that, whether women inherit, earn or marry money, they are becoming a powerful financial force. Lederer (1991) and Taylor (1998) emphasized that American women now control 60% of the nation\u27s investment wealth and constitute 43% of the nation\u27s wealthiest individuals. Some of these women are using their financial resources to exert an influence on society. Furthermore, while women are building fortunes and developing financial skills, they have not forsaken their commitment to a better world, and some have taken the lead in transforming philanthropy (Shaw & Taylor, 1995, p. 3)