Although we strive to celebrate women all year round, this month’s an especially opportune time to reflect on their achievements. From groundbreaking discoveries in STEM to unforgettable political movements, women continue to impact every facet of our society.
To commemorate, we curated a few book recommendations that span genres but carry a central message: women cannot be erased, then, now, and in the future. Our stories and the ones we write deserve to be in the spotlight, no matter the circumstances.
Here are some of our favorites to enrich your Women’s History Month reading list.
1. Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists
by Mikki Kendall and A. D’Amico
We love reading about historical figures who’ve paved the way for others. We also appreciate the occasional graphic novel, so what better combination is there than one that illustrates women who’ve influenced pivotal political movements like abolition, civil rights, reproductive rights, and more?
Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists covers various women and key events that led to their accomplishments. Starting with ancient civilizations and working their way up to the modern age, Mikki Kendall and A. D’Amico give their readers succinct, but impactful summaries of several figures who made a difference in women's lives.
Most importantly, they demonstrate how change is made possible when people come together, unified by a common cause. And although disrupting the status quo can feel like an uphill battle, every effort is worth it when we can witness the fruit of our labors.
2. Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men
by Caroline Criado Perez
Gender inequality is indisputable. Everyday, we face biases not just in the workplace, but also in our homes, doctors’ offices, and beyond. With a research-backed investigative lens, Caroline Criado Perez shines a brighter light on this unnerving reality that many of us experience on the daily. She analyzes everything from heavy machinery to medical treatment, revealing how they prioritize the male body and leave others at the wayside.
However, Perez also gives us hope by proving how uplifting women's perspectives benefits everyone. To be an effective advocate or ally, we must first identify the problem before creating solutions—and Perez gives us the tools to get started.
Invisible Women asks us to challenge the narratives we deem as normal. Data is meant to tell stories that lead to action, but what happens when women are largely excluded from the conversation? How do healthcare, education, and politics work against us when men remain the focus and women face notorious one-size-fits-all assumptions that sometimes claim our lives?
3. Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger
by Rebecca Traister
While exhibiting or studying feminine rage may feel like a recent trend, it has historically empowered women to go against the tide, whether demanding civil rights or rising against political leaders with faulty records. In Good and Mad, Rebecca Traister narrates a fascinating timeline of women who use their anger as motivation rather than suppressing it to appease others.
Traditionally, anger is seen as a volatile emotion, especially when a woman expresses it. We’re encouraged to keep it buried, process it privately, then move on so we don’t cause discomfort. But in the face of injustice, discomfort is often necessary. Traister stresses that we can, in fact, wield our anger to do good. When a collective taps into their rage to open up important conversations and force harmful caricatures out of the shadows, we can shift the narrative and lead our communities toward greener pastures.
4. When Women Were Dragons
by Kelly Barnhill
In the 1950s, women across the world experience an event called the Mass Dragoning, where mothers and wives suddenly turn into dragons and leave their homes. Their departure breeds great uncertainty of what would become of the traditional family, and if their leaving was done by choice or an unknown magical force.
The protagonist, Lyra, has difficulty exploring her identity because of a society driven by fear and control. She gradually undergoes her own transformation, albeit a bit different from the Dragoning, and learns what it means to be liberated from those who try to put women in a box.
Thought-provoking and timely, Kelly Barnhill's feminist speculative fiction encourages us to confront our own reality and how we can work to improve it.
CCWomen has a bookclub. Don’t miss out!
As a community platform for women and allies in the business world, CCWomen creates multiple touch points for members to build meaningful connections. Our quarterly book club, Shelf Indulgence, is just one of many examples.
Offering various virtual and in-person events, networking opportunities, and tangible resources curated by our own CCWomen participants, we’re here to empower you and your career journey.
Ready to dive into our next read with a group of women leaders? Upgrade to our paid membership today!
