10 books to celebrate Women’s History Month

“Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl” (1947) is the account of a Jewish girl, Anne Frank, who hid in a secret annex in Amsterdam with her family during World War II. Frank remained there for about two years with her family, the Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer. This influential dairy encourages readers to appreciate what they have in life, no matter how small. It also shows the power of the young female voice.

“Becoming” (2018) by former First Lady Michelle Obama gives readers a firsthand look into the highs and lows of her life. This memoir offers a candid view into life at the White House from 2009 to 2017, her campaign for public health and how she used her voice for several projects such as healthy eating and lifestyles for children. In this inspiring book, Obama explains how she went from growing up in a small, poor section of Chicago to becoming one of the world’s most successful women.

“Educated” (2018) is a memoir by Tara Westover, who grew up Mormon in a small, isolated town in Idaho. Her family believed she would stay there her whole life, but Westover had other plans. In this book, Westover explains how she went from being isolated to completing her doctorate in history at the University of Cambridge in England. With her story, Tara inspires women all over the world by being a powerful and independent role model and proving that no one should give up on their dreams.

“Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Who Helped Win the Space Race” (2016) by Margot Lee Shetterly and Laura Freeman is a nonfiction book that tells the true story of four African-American female mathematicians who all worked at NASA during the 1940s. These women, who all had to deal with segregation at their workplace, banded together against a backdrop of racial discrimination. Their stories are sure to influence and inspire readers. 

“Jane Eyre” (1847) by Charlotte Brontë is a classic British novel that depicts Jane, a fiercely independent and determined protagonist living during the Victorian era. Jane battles many obstacles throughout her life and manages to overcome them, teaching women all over the world the importance of risk-taking and having a sense of self-worth.

“Little Women” (1868) by Louisa May Alcott is a semi-autobiographical novel that tells the story of four sisters living in Concord, Massachusetts during the American Civil War era. These sisters—Amy, Elizabeth, Josephine and Margaret—work hard while their father is away at war. “Little Women” is a heartwarming classic that shows the power of female bonds.

“Notorious RBG” (2015) by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik tells the unique tale of former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, also known as RBG, who died in 2020. This book uses pictures and anecdotes from Ginsburg’s life to showcase her values and work to promote gender equality. 

“The Cat I Never Named” (2020) by Amra Sabic-El-Rayess and Laura L. Sullivan is a memoir that tells the story of Amra, a well-educated Muslim teenager who battles to stay alive during the Bosnian genocide in the 1990s. Sabic-El-Reyess overcomes these struggles with a stray cat who protects her and her family.

“The Hate U Give” (2017) is a breath-taking novel by Angie Thomas that displays the life of Black teenager Starr Carter. Starr attends a predominantly white school and wrestles with stereotypes, racism and police brutality. The novel communicates the message that it is important to speak up when witnessing injustice. 

“With the Fire on High” (2021) by Elizabeth Acevedo features a young girl, Emoni, who dreams of becoming a chef. However, after becoming a teen mom to baby Emma at the end of her freshman year of high school, she puts her dreams on hold. In her senior year at Schomburg Charter in Philadelphia, Emoni faces many challenges such as raising her child, relationships, school, finding a mentor and making choices for her future. Emoni also faces challenges with the baby’s father Tyrone, but she puts Emma first when making decisions. Emoni is a shining example of female resilience in the face of adversity.