In this article, the authors interpret the work of Mary Parker Follett, a well-known but underappreciated theorist of public administration. In a formal philosophical analysis organized around the traditional categories of ontology, epistemology, and ethics, they relate contemporary feminist theory to Follett slife experiences and writings, particularly those on democratic and organization theory. Besides making a case for the interpretation of Follett as a feminist thinker, the authors also relate her work to contemporary trends in theories of public administration and management. Finally, they argue that in addition to being a precursor to these trends, Follett's work may help scholars of public administration build a coherent theoretical foundation for public administration in general, a foundation that may find a strong theoretical link to contemporary feminism.
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