In a perfect world, people of all genders, races, and backgrounds would be recognized and remembered for their contributions to society and the world. Women’s history, Black history, the history of many countries and cultures across our planet, are not often part of our schooling. That is why it is important to acknowledge the little we know and to shine a light on some people and events we may have missed out on. There are so many fascinating places to explore! The theme of this year’s Women’s History Month is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” and of course stories are a great way to begin that exploration. Some of my own favorites, in no particular order, until I am out of room on my page:
Joy Harjo: Crazy Brave and Poet Warrior
Alice Walker: Temple of My Familiar
Ann Fessler: The Girls Who Went Away
Toni Morrison: Beloved
Madeline Miller: Circe
Elizabeth Alexander: The Light of the World
Samantha Irby: We are Never Meeting in Real Life
Rebecca Skloot: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Margaret Atwood: The Handmaid’s Tale
Maggie O’Farrell: Hamnet
Maya Angelou: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Katherine Boo: Behind the Beautiful Forevers
Leonora Carrington: The Hearing Trumpet Nawal
El Saadawi: Woman at Point Zero
Gioia Diliberto: Hadley
Thomas Hardy: Tess of the D’Urbervilles
Ghada Karmi: Return: A Palestinian Memoir
Jamaica Kinkaid: A Small Place
Barbara Kingsolver: The Lacuna
–Gina Aranki, Executive Director of Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan
Check out our awesome, fearless leader Gina in the just released Record Eagle – Women's History Special Edition.