This first comprehensive bibliography of the life and work of colonial women helps to foster an historical understanding of the rights, privileges, and functions of women in today's society. The Syllabus, containing 1082 items, is organized to provide an inclusive picture of the colonial woman in all aspects of her life and work. It includes references giving insight into home life with its manifold problems and dangers, the evolution of the colonial woman's status as owned property to being an independent owner of property, the leadership she gave to the religious life of the colonies, the contributions she made to cultural life, her part in the developing political life, and the extent of her participation in economic life.

The Bibliography contains 765 books 309 magazine articles, and eight pictorial publications. To facilitate the study of individual women of note, the List of 104 Outstanding Women includes references.