Once a month, these women informally meet to share their knowledge, their hearts -- and a good meal. Leaving behind partisanship and rhetoric, they discuss and debate the issues, political and personal, affecting their lives.

Now, this engaging book gives voice to these charismatic women as never before. Nine and Counting weaves together their individual stories of triumph, adversity, adaptability, and leadership. With broadly diverse backgrounds, they overcame similar obstacles yet ended up at the same place at the same time: the pinnacle of American political power. Inspirational, motivational, and always entertaining, Nine and Counting shows a glimpse of Washington rarely seen before. Women who aspire to lead in any field will learn something from the highs and lows that have marked the path to power for nine remarkable women.
-- Women's participation in American politics is growing, witnessed by the numbers of female candidates from across the country recently elected to governorships, state legislatures, and congress itself.
-- The Senators will donate proceeds from the sale of Nine and Counting to the Girl Scouts of America.