Chosen for their literary quality and because they reflect the historical periods in which they were written, the 23 one-act dramas in this anthology represent the work of American female playwrights. The plays range from the realistic dramas produced in the "Little Theatres" of New York City at the turn of the century to current off-Broadway political plays that demonstrate the influence of the women's movement. The plays represent the work of 25 authors including Rachel Crothers, Susan Glaspell, Edna Ferber, Sada Cowan, Gertrude Stein, Marjean Perry, Rosalyn Drexler, and Clare Boothe Luce. Each drama is preceded by a brief biography of the author, and a list of supplemental readings is appended. (MAI)