Annotated Source

Richards, Rebecca S. 2011. The council of women world leaders, iron ladies, and

daughters of destiny: A transnational study of women’s rhetorical performances of power. PhD diss., The University of Arizona. In PROQUESTMS ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT), http://search.proquest.com/docview/865848577? accountid=4488 (accessed February 15, 2012).

This dissertation explores the effects of powerful women leaders, specifically the rhetoric of these women. The author argues that these rhetorical performances affect the possibility for female leadership. These ideas are explored through specific examples including Indira Gandhi, the first female Prime Minister who held office in the sixties.

This is an excellent source for my research question.  Indira Gandhi was an inspiring leader. Despite having one of their earlier woman prime ministers, India lags behind in gender equality. Understanding this paradox could help explain the difficulty in promoting equal rights or demonstrate the tenacity of the caste system.