Huldah's daughter, Prudence, is in conflict with her mother women's rights. She builds her own life using her talents for shoe production within the domestic artisan family tradition. Her daughter, Emma - more like her grandmother, becomes a teacher and a pioneer, who teaches other women to succeed in business. Emma deals with an alcoholic spouse and becomes outspoken in the temperance platform. Emma's daughter, Grace, benefits from her mother's success and becomes society woman, but one who dedicated to working for reform.

Engagingly written and politically astute, Yankee Women is a portrait of strength, courage, and the best of the American woman. Written primarily with a young adult audience in mind, Yankee Women still appeals to women and men of all ages.