Skye Perryman at Explore Books

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times: How to Reclaim Your Power, Fight for Freedom, and Reimagine Democracy

The future of our country lies in all of our hands. From protecting voting rights and public schools to finding courage in the face of fear, Skye Perryman makes the case that defending democracy isn’t the job of lawyers or politicians alone—it’s a role for every one of us, seasoned and brand-new activists alike.

Drawing on her frontline experience challenging threats to democracy in courtrooms across the nation, Perryman combines gripping personal stories with practical “how-to” guides that empower readers to take action in their own communities.

Accessible, hopeful, and deeply practical, this inspiring book shows that the path forward begins not in the halls of power but at our kitchen tables, in our neighborhoods, and through the everyday choices we make to speak up, build community, and protect our future.

Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward and a TIME 100 honoree, is an attorney and internationally recognized leader at the forefront of advancing democracy and individual rights.

Perryman was named one of the fifty people shaping American society in 2026 by The Washington Post and under her leadership, Democracy Forward has been heralded as a “human rights hero” by the American Bar Association, securing major court victories that have protected due process, free speech, healthcare, education, economic opportunity, reproductive freedom, and more.

Perryman frequently appears on NBC, MS NOW, CNN, and NPR, and her work has been featured in outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Time, and Newsweek. A popular speaker at venues including SXSW, Aspen Ideas, and The Texas Tribune Festival, she is recognized for blending legal expertise with accessible, inspiring storytelling.

Perryman grew up in Texas and is a proud product of K-12 public education. She holds a BA from Baylor University, a JD from Georgetown University Law Center, and is a Salzburg Global Fellow.