Staff Picks
Trailblazers: Inspirational Women Throughout History
Collection
“Women are leaders everywhere you look—from the CEO who runs a Fortune 500 company to the housewife who raises her children and heads her household. Our country was built by strong women, and we will continue to break down walls and defy stereotypes.” —Nancy Pelosi
This booklist features books that share the stories of amazing women; their strength and courage to overcome barriers and bravery that helped pave the way for future generations of females.
Looking for even more good books? Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084. Find more resources on race, equity, and inclusion, here.
Black Girls Unbossed
Young World Changers Leading the Way
Published in 2022
"Young Black leaders have always been at the forefront of the fight for justice, freedom, and equity. And Black girls today are stepping up and leading in bold, creative ways. In a world overrun by power and greed, now is the time to look to Black girls for lessons in resilience, leadership, tenacity, spirit, and empathy. From Khristi Lauren Adams, author of the celebrated Parable of the Brown Girl,comes Black Girls Unbossed, which introduces readers to young Black girls leading the way and changing the world. Eight young Black women are profiled, including the founder of a child literacy nonprofit, political activists, and a school shooting survivor who launched a political action committee to prevent gun violence. These are the young Black women we will be reading about and studying decades from now. Like the young women who came before them, Black girls today are saying "enough is enough" and building a better world."-- Amazon.
Troublemakers in Trousers
Women and What They Wore to Get Things Done
Published in 2022
"Meet twenty-one women through history who wore men's clothing, pretended to be men, or broke the rules in order to do something they wanted--or needed--to do"-- Provided by publisher.
Joni
The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell
Published in 2020
"Joni Mitchell painted with words. Sitting at her piano or strumming the guitar, she turned the words into songs. The songs were like brushstrokes on a canvas, saying things that were not only happy or sad but true. But before composing more than two hundred songs, Joni was a young girl from a town on the Canadian prairie, where she learned to love dancing, painting, birdsong, and piano. As she grew up into an artist, Joni took her strong feelings--feelings of love and frustration, and the turbulence that came with being a young woman--and wrote them into vivid songs."--Amazon.
Mighty Justice
The Untold Story of Civil Rights Trailblazer Dovey Johnson Roundtree
Published in 2020
A biography of Dovey Johnson Roundtree--one of the first black women to break the racial and gender barriers in the US Army, and an attorney in the segregated courtrooms of Washington, D.C.
Grasping Mysteries
Girls Who Loved Math
Published in 2020
A biographical novel in verse of seven girls from different time periods who used math to explore the mysteries of the universe and grew up to do innovate work that changed history.
Pirate Queen
A Story of Zheng Yi Sao
Published in 2020
"The most powerful pirate in history was a woman who was born into poverty in Guangzhou, China, in the early 1800s. When pirates attacked her town and the captain took a liking to her, she saw a way out. Zheng Yi Sao agreed to marry him only if she got an equal share of his business. When her husband died six years later, she took command of the fleet. Over the next decade, the pirate queen built a fleet of over 1,800 ships and 70,000 men. On land and sea, Zheng Yi Sao's power rivaled the emperor himself. Time and again, her ships triumphed over the emperor's ships. When she was ready to retire, Zheng Yi Sao surrendered -- on her own terms, of course. Even though there was a price on her head, she was able to negotiate her freedom, living in peace and prosperity for the rest of her days. Zheng Yi Sao's powerful story is told in lyrical prose by award-winning author Helaine Becker. Liz Wong's colorful, engaging illustrations illuminate this inspiring woman in history."-- Provided by publisher.
Fossil Hunter
How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life
Published in 2022
"A fascinating, highly visual biography of Mary Anning, the Victorian fossil hunter who changed scientific thinking about prehistoric life and would become one of the most celebrated paleontologists of all time. Mary Anning grew up on the south coast of England in a region rich in fossils. As teenagers, she and her brother Joseph discovered England's first complete ichthyosaur. Poor and uneducated, Anning would become one of the most celebrated paleontologists ever, though in her time she supported herself selling by fossils and received little formal recognition. Her findings helped shape scientific thinking about extinction and prehistoric life long before Darwin published his famous work on evolution. With engaging text, photographs, and stunning paleoart, Fossil Hunter introduces this self-taught scientist, now recognized as one of the greatest fossilists the world has ever known. "-- Amazon.
Changing the Equation
50+ US Black Women in STEM
Published in 2020
"Award-winning author Tonya Bolden explores the black women who have changed the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in America. Including groundbreaking computer scientists, doctors, inventors, physicists, pharmacists, mathematicians, aviators, and many more, this book celebrates over 50 women who have shattered the glass ceiling, defied racial discrimination, and pioneered in their fields. In these profiles, young readers will find role models, inspirations, and maybe even reasons to be the STEM leaders of tomorrow. These stories help young readers to dream big and stay curious. The book includes endnotes, a bibliography, and an index"-- Provided by publisher.
I'm Still Here
Adapted for Young Readers
Published in 2023
"An adaptation of the powerful, New York Times bestselling account of growing up Black and female in America, completely rewritten with new stories for young readers. Austin Channing Brown's first encounter with race in America came at age seven, when shediscovered her parents named her Austin to trick future employers into thinking she was a white man. Growing up in majority-white schools and churches, Austin writes, "I had to learn what it means to love blackness," a journey that led to a lifetime spent navigating America's racial divide as a writer, speaker, and expert helping organizations practice genuine inclusion. For students navigating a time of racial hostility, and for the adults and educators who care for them, I'm Still Here is an empoweringlook at the experiences of young Black women, inviting the reader to confront apathy, recognize the work each of us is called to do, and discover how Blackness--if we let it--can save us all"-- Provided by publisher.
The First Woman Cherokee Chief
Wilma Pearl Mankiller
Published in 2023
"The story of how Wilma Pearl Mankiller challenged gender norms introduced by settlers and become the first woman Cherokee Chief"-- Provided by publisher.
3 2 1 Awesome!
20 Fearless Women Who Dared to Be Different
Published in 2020
"Instagram superstar and New York Times bestselling author of Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes Eva Chen shines a spotlight on 20 amazing women including Megan Rapinoe, Sonia Sotomayor, Shirley Chisholm, Greta Thunberg and more! in 3 2 1 Awesome! a sassy and fun counting board book, perfect for the youngest of budding feminists. Why stick to counting on fingers and toes when you can count: 3 straight sets for Billie Jean King's historic win... 2 groundbreaking suffragettes named Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton... 1 singular, sensational YOU! With Derek Desierto's bold and vibrant art, Eva fans and readers of all ages will be transported through "herstory."" --Amazon.
Standing on Her Shoulders
A Celebration of Women
Published in 2021
"A stunning love letter to the important women who shape us -- from our own mothers and grandmothers to the legends who paved the way for girls and women everywhere"-- Provided by publisher.
Phenomenal AOC
The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Published in 2022
An inspiring biography of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from Pura Belpre Honor-winning creators Anika Aldamuy Denise and Loris Lora! In 2019, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest congresswoman in America. How did this young Puertoriquena become an unstoppable force in politics? Find out in this accessible and engaging book for young readers. AOC's remarkable story begins in her childhood Bronx home and comes full circle the moment AOC became America's youngest Congresswoman. Ocasio-Cortez's empowering journey reminds us that everyone, regardless of their age, race, creed, wealth, or zip code, is capable of being a voice for change. A glossary and resources for changemakers are included at the end of the book.
Lifting As We Climb
Black Women's Battle for the Ballot Box
Published in 2020
"For African American women, the fight for the right to vote was only one battle. An eye-opening book that tells the important, overlooked story of Black women as a force in the suffrage movement--when fellow suffragists did not accept them as equal partners in the struggle."--Publisher's description.
Born Curious
20 Girls Who Grew Up to Be Awesome Scientists
Published in 2020
"A collection of biographies of twenty groundbreaking women scientists who were curious kids and grew up to make incredible discoveries."-- Provided by publisher.
Kamala Harris
Rooted in Justice
Published in 2020
"The first-ever picture book biography on Senator Kamala Harris"-- Provided by publisher.
Thanks to Frances Perkins
Fighter for Workers' Rights
Published in 2020
Sometimes, one moment changes a person's life. And that person goes on to change other lives. That's what happened to Frances Perkins. After she witnessed the 1911 catastrophic fire at the Triangle Waist Company, in which one hundred and forty-six people died, she devoted her life to improving conditions for workers. Frances became the first woman to serve in a president's cabinet. As Secretary of Labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, she helped pass new laws like the 1935 Social Security Act, part of Roosevelt's New Deal. Today, millions of Americans depend on Social Security benefits. Today, we can thank Frances Perkins for her dedication to the ideal of society where no one is left out.
Brave, Black, First
50+ African American Women Who Changed the World
Published in 2020
An illustrated biographical compilation of over fifty African American women from the 1700s through to the present day.
Choosing Brave
How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement
Published in 2022
"The story of the mother of Emmett Till, and how she channeled grief over her son's death into a call to action for the civil rights movement"-- Provided by publisher.
Women Win the Vote!
19 for the 19th Amendment
Published in 2020
"A bold new collection showcasing the trailblazing individuals who fought for women's suffrage, honoring the Nineteenth Amendment's centennial anniversary. Women Win the Vote! maps the road to the Nineteenth Amendment through compact, readable biographies of nineteen women who helped pave the way. From early feminist activist Lucretia Mott to radical twentieth century suffragist Alice Paul, this vibrant collection profiles both iconic figures like Sojourner Truth and those who may be less well-known, like Mary Ann Shadd Cary. Vividly illustrated with an eye-catching design, Women Win the Vote! celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment and the intrepid individuals who broke through barriers and upended tradition to fight for gender equality and the empowerment of future generations"-- Provided by publisher.
Unbeatable Betty
The First Female Olympic Track & Field Gold Medalist
Published in 2020
A picture-book biography of Betty Robinson, who "at only sixteen years old ... became the first female gold medalist in track and field in the 1928 Olympics and an overnight sensation. She was set for gold again and had her eyes on the 1932 Olympics. Her plans changed forever when a horrible plane crash left her in a wheelchair, with one leg shorter than the other. But Betty didn't let that stop her. In less than five years, she relearned how to stand, to walk, and finally to run again and try to taste gold once more in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin"--Publisher marketing.
The Only Woman in the Photo
Frances Perkins & Her New Deal for America
Published in 2020
"Biography of Frances Perkins, the first female member of the presidential cabinet, and architect of much of the New Deal legislation as Secretary of Labor."--Provided by publisher.
Women Artists A to Z
Published in 2020
"An alphabet picture book featuring famous women artists and their most iconic works"-- Provided by publisher.
Women Who Led the Way
Great Explorers and Adventurers
Published in 2022
21 amazing women explorers and adventurers from all over the world From Aud the Deep-Minded, an early voyager to Iceland, and Sacagawea who guided the Lewis and Clark expedition across the USA, to Mae Jemison, the first black woman in space and Arunima Sinha, the first woman amputee to climb Mount Everest, this book shows the incredible courage, determination and power of women explorers over the last 1200 years. These women have led the way exploring lands, oceans, mountains, skies and space, but have also made pioneering discoveries in the fields of science, nature, archaeology, ecology and more. The lives of these women, told as personal stories, are an inspiration to us all.
The Woman in the Moon
How Margaret Hamilton Helped Fly the First Astronauts to the Moon
Published in 2023
"A stunning and intimate biography of Margaret Hamilton, the computer engineer who helped Apollo 11 and mankind get from the Earth to the moon. First-hand accounts, exclusive interviews with the legendary Margaret Hamilton, and detailed science populate the pages of this remarkable biography. In 1969, mankind successfully left our atmosphere and landed on the moon. It took countless hours of calculations, training, wonder, and sacrifice from all of the men and women who worked hard to make that landing. One of those people was Margaret Hamilton. A young computer engineer, Hamilton was hired to develop the completely new software used in the groundbreaking Apollo Space Program. Soon she became the lead engineer, one of the few women in the almost entirelymale-dominated profession. But it wasn't always easy. In The Woman in the Moon, science-writer and journalist Richard Maurer (Destination Moon, 2019) dives deep into the backstory of this extraordinary woman. With first-hand interviews and access to primary sources, this striking biography perfectly captures the exciting atmosphere of the Space Race and the inspiring figure of Margaret Hamilton"-- Provided by publisher.
Sanctuary
Kip Tiernan and Rosie's Place, the Nation's First Shelter for Women
Published in 2022
Relates the story of social activist Kip Tiernan and her efforts to open Rosie's Place, the nation's first homeless shelter for women, in Boston.
Real Princesses Change the World
Published in 2023
"This picture book compiles biographies of 11 different princesses, highlighting who they truly are: diplomats, engineers, activists, athletes, and so much more. It focuses on their achievements and contributions, situating them as active members in the global and local community. From Nigeria to Japan, Saudi Arabia to Sweden, and Thailand to Tonga. This picture book takes readers on a trip that spans the whole world"-- Provided by publisher.
All the Way to the Top
How One Girl's Fight for Americans With Disabilities Changed Everything.
Published in 2020
Mary Seacole
Bound for the Battlefield
Published in 2020
"Mary Seacole was called to nurse the sick and wounded from bedside to battlefield. Nothing would stand in her way."--Back cover
Justice Rising
12 Amazing Black Women in the Civil Rights Movement
Published in 2023
"Told through twelve short biographies, this book celebrates just some of the many Black women--each of whom has been largely underrepresented until now--who were instrumental to the nation's fight for civil rights and the contributions they made in driving the Movement forward"-- Provided by publisher.
Advancing Technology
Women Who Led the Way
Published in 2022
"This brand-new series highlights some of the major contributions women have made in the world of science. Did you know that the technology behind cell phones was based on an idea developed during World War II by the Hollywood star Heddy Lamar to prevent the enemy intercepting radio messages? The computer and other electronic devices have changed life dramatically over the last 70 years-and many of the key breakthroughs in technology were made by women. These women's achievements were often highly specialized and have been widely overlooked. This book tells their stories and describes their vital contributions"-- Provided by publisher.
Runaway
The Daring Escape of Oney Judge
Published in 2021
"An elegant, unforgiving poem narrating Ona Judge's self-emancipation from George Washington's household"-- Provided by publisher.
Stacey Abrams and the Fight to Vote
Published in 2022
"Stacey Abrams, politician and Nobel peace prize nominee, is brought to life in this poetic picture book biography that follows Abrams's fight for voters' rights. Narrated by Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Septima Clark, and Fannie Lou Hamer, this powerful story tells how Abrams's work was inspired by those luminaries before her." -- Publisher marketing.