The Sentimental State

In "The Sentimental State," Elizabeth Garner Masarik explores how middle-class women, both Black and white, leveraged the 19th-century culture of sentimentality to drive political action during the Progressive Era. The book challenges the notion of a sharp shift from sentimentalism to scientific rationality in the 20th century, demonstrating the enduring influence of emotional appeals in shaping social reform.

Masarik examines how women's experiences of motherhood and grief were channeled into political activism, leading to the creation of the American welfare state.

The book highlights the crucial role of women in building support for policies aimed at improving the welfare of women and children.

Masarik's work reveals the complex interplay between personal experiences, cultural norms, and political action in the development of social welfare programs.