Babe and the Big Boys: One Woman's Story of Breaking Barriers, Reforming Washington State Elections, and...

— —

Cathy Pearsall-Stipek

Babe and the Big Boys

One Woman's Story of Breaking Barriers, Reforming Washington State Elections, and Living Life...

Cathy Pearsall-Stipek

$59.95 $51.13

Hardback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Mai Way Publishing, LLC
03 June 2025

Biography: historical, political & military; Gender studies: women; Elections & referenda; Political leaders & leadership; Political campaigning & advertising

Birth of a Fighter

In Babe and the Big Boys, Cathleen ""Cathy"" Pearsall-Stipek charts her remarkable journey from a young housewife advocating for her deaf son to becoming one of Washington State's most influential champions of electoral reform. Born into a close-knit Tacoma family in 1932, Pearsall-Stipek's life changed dramatically in 1964 when her four-year-old son Joe was diagnosed as deaf. Her fight to ensure Joe received proper education launched a decades-long career in public service.

Through personal tragedy-including her first husband Ralph's devastating battle with multiple sclerosis, and her own breast cancer diagnosis-Pearsall-Stipek emerged as a formidable political force. From the PTA to the Washington State Legislature to the Pierce County Auditor's office, she faced down the men she called ""the Big Boys,"" powerbrokers who repeatedly told her: You can't do that. Time and again, she proved them wrong, modernizing election systems and spearheading the movement toward mail-in voting that would eventually transform Washington's electoral landscape.

Despite relentless opposition, including multiple recall attempts and smear campaigns, Pearsall-Stipek revolutionized Pierce County's voting systems, increasing accessibility while maintaining security. Her innovative approaches to election administration earned her an appointment to the National Commission on Election Standards and Reform, whose work shaped the Help America Vote Act of 2002.

This memoir weaves together family drama, political intrigue, and social change to tell the story of how one woman's refusal to accept the status quo affected hundreds of thousands of voters.

From her childhood aboard her father's beloved boat to her role as an advisor to election officials across the country, Pearsall-Stipek's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact one person can have when they dare to act with integrity and purpose.

More than just a political memoir, this is the story of a mother, wife, and grandmother whose dedication to family fueled her fierce advocacy for positive change. Through triumphs and setbacks, love and loss, Pearsall-Stipek's unwavering determination to improve the lives of others offers inspiring examples of love, citizenship, and leadership in action.

By: Cathy Pearsall-Stipek
Imprint: Mai Way Publishing, LLC
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 21mm
Weight: 612g
ISBN: 9798992902716
Pages: 246
Publication Date: 03 June 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Born in 1932, Cathy Pearsall-Stipek is a pioneering Washington State politician and businesswoman. She served as a Democratic member of the Washington House of Representatives for the 29th district from 1977 to 1979 and held positions on the Tacoma School Board, Pierce County Council, and as Pierce County Auditor. A Tacoma native, Cathy attended the University of Washington and is a mother, grand- and great-grandmother.