Simon explores the diverse and changing roles of women over twenty-five years. Part I includes several chapters that examine the experiences and performances of women in various traditionally male-dominated professional roles: as scholars, attorneys, corrections officers, rabbis and ministers. Part II deals with immigrants and their roles as new American women. In Part III, Simon discusses the types of crimes women commit, how they are treated in the criminal justice system, women as political terrorists, and how the public regards famous women offenders. In conclusion, Simon looks at how women's changing social roles affect their personal lives and political views.