Rage and Hope

What makes Rage and Hope truly groundbreaking is Dr. Regina Luttrell’s recognition that the women’s movement can and should be understood not as a consequence of history, but as a long-running strategic communications campaign—perhaps the most significant in history. She takes us behind the scenes to uncover bands of women—none trained in what we’d call “public relations” today—performing sophisticated audience analyses, creating strategic messaging, and carrying out often-outrageous tactics that won over the press, politicians, and the public. From Reconstruction to the Fifth Wave of Feminism, these passionate women worked at great personal risk, with scant resources and none of the technologies available today. Luttrell has given us more than a history of a movement; she has revealed an extraordinary lesson of how the right words and strategy can forever transform the hearts and minds of a nation. * Shelley Spector, Founder/Director, PRMuseum *
In a world where history is being actively erased, we need stories like this more than ever! Matilda Joslyn Gage knew that she was fighting not just for herself or her generation, but also for the generations to come. Here is the story of all the women who came after her and the struggle that they willingly took up to carry on the fight for equality. Rage and Hope is aptly named. May it inspire the next generation to do the same. As Matilda said, “Work On!” * Ciarrai Eaton, Executive Director, Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation *
Regina Luttrell weaves a narrative of feminism and public communication through the history of advocacy in the suffrage, abolitionist, civil rights, and LGBTQIA+ movements. All of these used the power of media relations, events, interpersonal and small group communication, and later, social media. Her multicultural and personal storytelling lens is to be applauded. * Rochelle L. Ford, Ph.D., APR, CEO, Arthur W. Page Society *
In today’s political climate, answering the call to fight for equality takes courage and tenacity. Reading Rage and Hope: The Women’s Movement Through Its Most Powerful Campaigns reminded me that my power to make a difference lies in moving beyond comfort and privilege to share my story and uplift others. Many women have fought for equality and brought real change despite the risks, both in history and in my lifetime. Thank you for telling their story so we can find inspiration in their legacy and carry on the work! * Lorraine M. Woerner, filmmaker, activist; Volunteer Leader, Human Rights Campaign Western and Central New York, USA *
Rage and Hope is a meticulously documented journey through historical (and historic) public relations campaigns and a thank-you letter to our courageous older sisters whose strategies and sacrifices gave birth to new generations of possibility and opportunity. It is a vocal validation of the emotions and experiences that societies throughout history have expected women to keep quietly private. Luttrell's work reminds us that struggles and setbacks are not reasons for us to give up, but evidence for why we must keep going. * Bey-Ling Sha, Dean, College of Media and Communication, Texas Tech University, USA, and Co-author, Cutlip & Center’s Effective Public Relations *
Equal parts historical documentation, curious curation, and reframing struggle as story,Rage and Hopeoffers both access to the incredibly inspiring breadth of participants in this journey to the ever-elusive goal of equality, and a perspective on the work done in relation to the work to come. Luttrell offers proof of hope and a reminder that rage, too, isnecessary as we stay committed to the dream of "equal rights for all" in a world that seems determined to push that future further out of our reach. * Laura Chekow, feminist activist and filmmaker, associate producer of “Women and the Vote” *
In Rage & Hope, Regina Luttrell shows that winning the vote, and every advance for women's equality since, required more than conviction—it took organization, persistence, and strategic storytelling over decades. That history of hard-won, hard-fought persuasion is not just inspiring, it's instructive. At a moment when these rights are being threatened, this book is both an essential history and an urgent call to action. * Brett Edkins, voting rights and democracy reform advocate *