Women’s History Month is finally here, and it’s time to get reading!
What is on your list of books? Or are you here to look at what could perhaps interest you?
During this Women’s History Month, it’s only appropriate to honor the stories of diverse women and the wisdom they continuously share.
But before we hit the books, we must hit the history first.
What About Women’s History Month?
Women’s History Month wasn’t made official until relatively recently. The Sonoma County school district in California started Women’s History Week on March 8, 1978, as the topic wasn’t well discussed in education (history.com).
Women’s History Week soon spread through other districts and schools. It allowed time to celebrate women’s work in local communities, which eventually expanded to appreciation for their empowerment through history and culture. Different events were created in women’s honor, such as female-dominated presentations, parades, and other programs.
Then, the National Women’s History Project came to be, and they petitioned Congress for recognition. Former president Jimmy Carter declared the week of March 8 as Women’s History Week in 1980.
Finally, through the lobbying of women in the project and the growing support for recognition of women’s achievements, the week was extended to a whole month.
So Why Are Reading Women’s Books Important?
This year’s theme for Women’s History Month is “Moving Forward Together.” This signifies women’s leadership and their role in the future of education.
We are constantly writing history. Moving into the future doesn’t just require knowing what went down in textbooks.
The following written works reveal women’s voices as they tell truths that often go unheard. Accounts, stories, and research are not minimized to sections in a textbook but rather demonstrate the power of real experiences, struggles, emotions, traumas, cultures, and identities. All of them must be acknowledged to promote empathy and change.
As history continues its course, so must we in educating ourselves and raising everyone’s voices equally.
And Now, Books
Now that we’ve covered a bit of our history lesson, let’s get into some new (and some old, but classic) works of literature that mark women’s efforts in the world.
From crafted stories disguised as life lessons to research and discoveries based on studies, the books below shed light on various perspectives and expand on learned and experienced wisdom that is essential to preserve.
Note: If you are interested in any of these books, please check for trigger warnings before proceeding. While the words and stories of women are potent and impactful, certain themes and stories can be triggering and/or graphic.
Here are a few on my running (and growing) list:
Womb: The Inside Story of Where We All Began
By Leah Hazard
Genre: Science and History
Personally, my reading background doesn’t cover science and history. But my first taste proved that I should be trying them out more.
Womb covers different studies of the womb (wild guess) in all its aspects, from its parts to its functions throughout life, such as periods, menopause, and even conditions like endometriosis. Leah Hazard combineds multiple studies to highlight information that might not always be accessible in general women’s health.
She also examines how scientific institutions reacted to studies pursuing less intrusive methods for examination and other solutions for women’s health. She then dissects the language used by male doctors to describe reproductive health over time, which contributes to the handling of women’s issues in scientific and health institutions today.
For interested readers, it’s a great starting point for the genre, especially those seeking knowledge of women’s biological bodies, their natural processes, and what to watch out for.
The Personal Librarian
By Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
Genre: Historical Fiction
Ever heard of J. P. Morgan? Most people, including myself, think of him as the financier whose name you see from Chase or on a bank. Well, here’s a fun fact: he also has a personal library in New York filled with collections of well-known artwork, manuscripts, and books.
As that library was developing, it needed a librarian.
The Personal Librarian tells the story of Belle de la Costa Greene, the keeper to J. P. Morgan’s most prized collection. Belle is a woman of wit, charm, and intelligence — qualities that earned her quite a respectable reputation in the art world.
But this comes at the cost of hiding her racial identity.
The Personal Librarian depicts a successful young woman who is achieving her goals but lives in constant fear of discovery.
It’s the ideal starting place historical fiction. Readers will gain perspective on the specific struggles and challenges experienced by Black women in the 1900s while protecting themselves and their families.
Rage Becomes Her
By Soraya Chemaly
Genre: Social Sciences
Looking for more ammo to fuel your female rage? This is the book for you!
Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger addresses how female anger is perceived in society. It is often dismissed as overly emotional, and it goes unused due to lingering stereotypes and the fear of consequences.
Social science research presents different issues and micro-behaviors that women have endured for generations. The systems shown in this book exist but do not have to be set in stone.
Chemaly’s work calls for heightened awareness of how these systems and behaviors affect women.
The book provides topics, statistics, and stories about women and their experiences that light an inner flame of anger, which is meant to be voiced and bring change.
And Still I Rise: A Book of Poems
By Maya Angelou
Genre: Poetry
Poetry can range from blunt yet impactful small text to the most beautiful and flamboyant length. And Maya Angelou’s poems never disappoint.
This classic and legendary figure dabbled in numerous pursuits, from activism to writing memoirs and poetry to performance. Her famous poem, “And Still I Rise,” which calls for equality and empowerment, is only one part of her meaningful collection.
Angelou’s poems encapsulate many themes: the struggles and strengths of Black people, the wonder of women (specifically women of color), class, and other perspectives on human life.
Angelou personifies self-acceptance, passion, and a chin held high throughout all experiences while still empathizing with the pain of a head held down.
Readers also love the poems “Phenomenal Woman” and “Woman Work, which align well with Women’s History Month (although a lot of poems in this book speak to the theme).
Additionally, I would recommend watching Angelou’s performances of her poems. Her dynamic voice adds a whole new layer to the words she inscribed on paper.
Girlhood: Exploring “The Girl” in Art (Look Again)
By Claire Marie Healy
Genre: Art History
Don’t let the genre fool you! And don’t worry, the book isn’t a long history lesson; it’s actually a pretty short read of less than fifty pages.
The book’s subject matter transcends art. Claire Marie Healy examines the British collection of national art to discern how themes of girlhood and womanhood are shaped by historical works.
In studying their figures, including their postures and settings, Healy analyzes visual narratives that center girls and women in society.
The book offers a new lens on perceptions of women throughout time and how social narratives are constructed.
It merges visuals, history, and prose to bring unexpected insight.
Readers and bloggers have created myriad lists of books in their posts and articles — each with their own unique, refreshing perspective!
If you are looking for other sources, check your local library’s website, too!
What books have you read that reflect Women’s History Month?
