Women Who Inspire – Find Their Stories at Wickson

Ah, March, the unpredictable month in Michigan where you learn to carry a both a knit hat and an umbrella while also dressing for the possibility of snow, rain, wind, sun and clouds all on the same day. Daylight savings begins, spring breaks happen, and hints of spring air arrive. And, since 1987, March is also Women’s History Month, a time to honor and celebrate women’s contributions to history, culture, and society.

One of the best and easiest ways to celebrate women’s contributions is through books written by, for, and about women who have made an impact in myriad ways across time.

When I choose books to read, I rarely consider whether the author is female or if the topic centers on a woman or women. Even so, some books by and about strong women have really stuck with me. Maya Angelou’s autobiographical I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings brought to life the immense positive influence that strong women can have in a person’s life. More recently I read The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See. This portrait of a matrifocal society opened my eyes to the inner fortitude that women truly have. Finally, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzales about a fiery artist and the power dynamics at play in relationships, the art world, and the sphere of wealth and privilege.

If you would like to share in celebrating Women’s History Month, Wickson has innumerable books for all ages that celebrate women and their memorable influences on our world.

Young readers can learn about the impacts women have had across time through a multitude of books. The She Persisted series, created by Chelsea Clinton and illustrated by Alexandra Boigerby, includes picture and chapter books about women who overcame challenges to change the world. Additionally, The Science Wide Open series by Mary Wissinger and illustrated by Danielle Pioli explores stories of pioneering women in STEM.

Older readers might want to check out Bookish Broads: Women Who Wrote Themselves Into History by Lauren Marino and illustrated by Alexandra Kilburn. This book shares the stories of more than 50 women who “…dared to put pen to paper to express the multifaceted female experience.” Words have power, and Marino brings to the reader stories of women who used words to shape our world.

And for you sports-minded folks out there, check out Babe Didriskon Zaharias: The Making of a Champion by Russell Freedman. Zaharias was one of America’s greatest athletes. She was an All-American basketball player, an Olympic gold medalist, and a championship golfer. You can learn about how she was named Woman Athlete of the Half-Century in 1950 before she tragically died at the age of 42.

These books are a tiny fraction of the offerings at Wickson. You can find books, e-books, and audiobooks alike to learn more about great women across history, so find one or two and share them with the strong and wonderful women in your own life.