Girl Power

March is Women’s History Month. To celebrate, I’ve compiled a list of picture books from the last few years that feature amazing women that will hopefully inspire you and your children. Highlighted below are a few favorites that stood out from the crowd.

Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott , by Mara Rockliff. It’s really easy to notice and get inspired by people who do big things and are major movers and shakers in a movement, such as Rosa Parks. I love this book because it showcases someone whose involvement was a bit quieter. During the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Georgia Gilmore cooked and raised money to help pay for gas for car drivers helping the boycott, and later for fines for people who were ticketed. When she stood up and told her own story of discrimination by the buses during a trial for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., she was fired from her job. King gave her money to help start her own cooking business, and often used her house for meeting with important leaders like JFK and Lyndon B. Johnson. It takes a lot of people to really get a revolution going, and I loved reading this story of one woman’s contribution.

Fighting for Yes! The Story of Disability Rights Activist Judith Heumann, by Maryann Cocca-Leffler. This is a story about a girl, Judith, who got told no by others all the time – no, you can’t go to school, no you can’t get your award onstage, no you can’t teach – all because she was in a wheelchair. This girl grew up to be a woman who led a fight (and a 24 day sit-in) for major legislation. She fought for a yes – that people with disabilities have rights. You know what I love about this book? It’s printed in a dyslexic-friendly font, and that automatic accessibility is so apt for this book. There’s a note from Judith Heumann encouraging readers to think of things they think need to change and fight for yes! By the way, if you or anyone you know needs help accessing library services, check out Seattle Public Library’s LEAP (Library Equal Access Program). Sadly, Heumann passed away just last week; may this beautiful and accessible book help preserve the memory of this true heroine for all abilities.

Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution, by Joy Michael Ellison. I picked this one because trans women should absolutely be part of Women’s History Month. If you aren’t already familiar with Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, this book talks about the harassment they received for being transgender, and their role in the Stonewall Riot, the origin of today’s Pride celebrations. The story itself is very simple, but the book has a discussion guide, lists for more reading, and activities to encourage kids to figure out how to help their community. It even specifically mentions other figures in the Stonewall Riot to look up – names I wasn’t familiar with myself. In the informational reading, the author is intentional in talking about how dangerous their lives were because of their intersectionality – they were transgender, women of color, and low-income – and how that led them to help other girls and women like themselves.

History is being made all the time; truly any moment that isn’t the present one. These three books are about people and events from not very long ago, and some of the challenges they faced that are still being faced today. The accompanying list has a wide range of people from different time periods, and included are a number of figures from the present day. I encourage you to check those out, as these are people you can follow on their journey, be inspired by, and perhaps spark interests, conversations, and some action of your own.

     ~ Posted by Stephanie T.