Empowered women empower other women. March is Women’s History Month and you better believe my classes are diving all the way in! The future is female, thanks to the trailblazing women that came before us. Here’s a shortlist of great women through the years… but first, a note:
NOTE:ย While many of these books can be found digitally online forย FREE classroom use on Epic!, I have also used affiliate links should you wish to purchase physical copies. You can read a full disclosureย and list ofย partnershipsย linked on my site.
Iconic Women of the Past
- The Diary of a Young Girl: The Definitive Edition by Anne Frank – There is also a catchy Flocabulary video appropriate for grades 5-8.
- A Voice Named Aretha by Katheryn Russell-Brown – Before the Queen of Soul became a star, Aretha Franklin was a shy little girl with a voice so powerful it made people jump up, sway, and hum along. This book tells her amazing life story, from singing in her Detroit church choir to stages across the world. Find it as a YouTube read aloud here.
- How Emily Saved the Bridge by Frieda Wishinsky – The amazing story of Emily Warren Roebling, the woman who stepped in to oversee the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, which was completed. With an Epic account, your students can access this book digitally for free.
Influential Women of the Present
- Who Is Kamala Harris? by Penguin Workshop – On November 7, 2020, Kamala Harris, a senator from California, became the first woman of African-American and South Asian-American heritage to be elected to the vice presidency. While her nomination for this position was not unexpected, her rise to national prominence was one filled with unexpected turns and obstacles. This is a great chapter book for young readers!
- She Sang Promise by J.G. Annino – Be charmed and amazed by the story of Betty Mae Tiger Jumper, the first female elected Seminole tribal leader. The lyrical, poetic text pairs beautifully with the rich, vibrant illustration, this is a book to charm and amaze young readers.
- Rebel Girls Lead: 20 Tales of Extraordinary Women by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo – A collection of true stories about the activism and bravery of twenty inspiring leaders illustrated by female artists from around the world. Most are still living today!
- Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Immigrant Women Who Changed the World by Elena Favilli – The latest installment in the Rebel Girls series featuring 100 immigrant women who have shaped, and will continue to shape, our world.
Inspirational Women of the Future
- Malala: Activist for Girls’ Education by Raphaรซle Frier – Unique storytelling and bright illustrations bring Malala Yousafzai to life in this picture-book biography. When she was just fifteen-years old, the Taliban attempted to kill Malala, but even this did not stop her activism. At age eighteen Malala became the youngest person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work to ensure the education of all children around the world.
