Grace Under Fire: Barbara Jordan's Rhetoric of Watergate, Patriotism, and Equality

"[Barbara Jordan's] superb leadership helped transform our nation's spirit and let us weather one of the most serious threats to confidence in government that we have ever experienced. . . . She was one of the greatest public servants of the 20th century."uThe Honorable Jimmy E. Carter Thirty-ninth President of the United States of America

"Brenda Eatman Aghahowa's perceptive analysis of and tribute to Barbara Jordan is an auspicious contribution to rhetoric studies. The presentation is both scholarly and novelistic, a joy to read. Most important, in resituating the work of a valiant public servant, Aghahowa reminds us thatulong before 'Number 23'uto be considered Jordanesque in craft was great praise."uKeith Gilyard Penn State University

"Brenda Eatman Aghahowa's Grace Under Fire: Barbara Jordan's Rhetoric of Watergate, Patriotism, and Equality is an insightful and historically-aware study of the rhetoric of one of the most influential orators in the twentieth century. Aghahowa explores the sources of Jordan's rhetorical power and moral vision in classical European, African, and African-American rhetorical traditions along with the tradition of patriotism in America. Furthermore, she connects Jordan to the present through tributes and remarks from important people who knew her [or admired her] and through Aghahowa's own thought-provoking analysis of the contemporary rhetorical landscape. Aghahowa's book will stand as a landmark work for many years to come."uLester Faigley University of Texas at Austin

Rev. Dr. Brenda Eatman Aghahowa is Chairperson of the Department of English, Communications, Media Arts and Theatre at Chicago State University. She has earned both Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, and also has earned the Ph.D. in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago, with a specialty in Language, Literacy, and Rhetoric. She is CEO and Founder of the editorial consulting firm Power of the Pen. Dr. Aghahowa is Founder and Pastor of Faith, Hope, and Love Ministries in south suburban Chicago.