Women’s History Month kicked off this year on March 1. The 2022 theme of Women’s History Month is “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope”. This is a tribute to women across cultures and the world who have provided healing and hope through history, and to give thanks to those caring and healing others throughout the duration of the pandemic.
To ring in this Women’s History Month, I have compiled a list of books that can help us celebrate women and their powerful accomplishments.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Little Women is a classic loved by many. The storyline follows the journey of four sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, as they come of age and begin their exploration of womanhood. The strength and will of the sisters grows and forms over matters of trial and tribulation, through which Little Women showcases the power of sisterhood and womanhood.
Hood Feminism: Notes From the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
In Hood Feminism, Kendall dives into how the feminist movement often overlooks marginalized communities of women and the difficulties they face. Kendall speaks about her own hardships and how important inclusive activism is to reaching the ultimate end goal of equality. Topics covered in this book include education, healthcare, and poverty. Hood Feminism shows its readers just how important of a topic intersectionality is, and how it can help shape the feminist movement that is still in development across the United States.
The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
The Female Persuasion is about a college-aged girl learning to navigate life and the world. Wolitzer touches on relationships, friendships, and finding your own power, as well as the realization that you don’t need any one person to make you into who you want to be (only you can do that!).
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice is another classic to add to the list. It follows the Bennet family and its five sisters in their quest to be married off to wealthy men by their parents. Elizabeth Bennet, the second-oldest sister, shows resistance to marrying a man for wealth instead of love, and Pride and Prejudice follows her entanglement with Mr. Darcy in all of its tension and unrequited love (or so it seems).
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky
Women in Science is an illustrated book about some of the most influential women in science the world has seen in history. Ignotofsky covers women in all fields of science and historical standing, and even talks about influential women in STEM that have made an influence today. Women in Science is an important read to give women in STEM the recognition and applause they deserve.
My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsberg
My Own Words was written by Ruth Bader Ginsberg, beloved Supreme Court Justice, and her biographers Mary Hartnett and Wendy W. Williams. In her biography, RBG touches on how her childhood shaped her, her time as a Supreme Court Justice, and gender equality, which she so proudly fought for.
Educating and Celebrating This Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month is an important time to celebrate and educate yourself and others on all of the things women have accomplished and will continue to accomplish. This list of books provides the opportunity to learn from a variety of women coming from different time periods, cultural backgrounds, and socioeconomic standing. A good mix of classic novels, personal memoirs, and history lessons, I hope this list aids you in your celebrating and learning this month!
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