My favorite stories are based on inspiring women: real-life, ordinary women who accomplished something extraordinary in the most difficult circumstances.
Inspiring Real-Life Women
In March we celebrate Women Women’s History Month. Which of these books that feature inspiring real-life women are on your bookshelf?
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(Listed in no particular order.)
The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore
(narrative nonfiction that reads like a thriller)
All women owe a great deal to Elizabeth Packard.
The Woman With the Cure by Lynn Cullen
Dorothy Horstmann didn’t get the recognition she deserved for her vital role in developing the Polio Vaccine.
The Last Train to London by Meg Waite Clayton
Truus Wijsmuller represents the heroes who risked their lives to work with the Dutch Resistance Movement during WWII to move Jewish children out of Nazi-controlled Europe.
The Winter Orphans by Kristin Beck
Rösli Näf and Anne-Marie Piguet risk their lives to work with the Swiss Red Cross during WWII to rescue Jewish orphans from Chateau de la Hille.
By Her Own Design by Piper Huguley
Fashion designer Anne Lowe didn’t receive the recognition she deserved as the creator of Jacqueline Kennedy’s wedding dress.
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
Do you know Sarah and Angelina Grimké, sisters who helped pioneer Abolition and Women’s Rights?
My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
Without Eliza Hamilton and her efforts to secure her husband’s papers, we would not have the writings of Alexander Hamilton today.
The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe
In this story, we learn about the brave and heroic actions of Dita Kraus, a daring and feisty teenager who risks her life at the Auschwitz “Family Camp” to educate children.
Hidden Yellow Stars by Rebecca Connolly
Andrée Geulen was not a Jew but a teacher who became concerned about her Jewish students being forced to wear the yellow star and often taken from their parents. Ida Sterno is a Jewish social worker and secretly works with a resistance group, the Committee for the Defense of Jews in Belgium whose purpose is to hide Jewish children from the Gestapo.
Paper Hearts by Meg Wiviott
In this poignant story (told in free verse), Zlatka masterminds making a surprise birthday card for Fania. A secret project that would be a crime punishable by death if caught, each friend signed the paper hearts card with her hopes and wishes for happiness, love, and freedom. This heart symbolizes defiance and is one of the few artifacts created in Auschwitz that has survived and can be seen today in the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre in Canada.
Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray
Frances Perkins served as the first female Secretary of Labor from 1933-1945 (under FDR) and was relentless in her fight for workers’ rights, safety laws, and Social Security.
QOTD:
Do you love untold stories of inspiring real-life women?
Do you have a title to add to this list?
I’m linking up with Deb @ Deb’s World, Sue @ Women Living Well After 50, Donna @ Retirement Reflections, and Jo @ And Anyways… for the March installment of #WhatsOnYourBookShelfChallenge.
Happy Reading Book Buddies!
“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.” ~Rainer Maria Rilke
“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.” ~Denise J Hughes
“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.” ~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.” ~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text
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I’m currently reading The Mademoiselle Story by Natasha Lester, Carol. It is based on a true story and showcases Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, the only woman to have led a French resistance network during WWII. I’m not very far in yet but she really was a woman ahead of her time. 💖📚
Wow! Sounds good! Thanks for the rec!
Just over halfway now, and although it’s a little more superficial than I like, it’s still a good read.💖📚
I haven’t read any of these but they all sound excellent.
All tbr worthy!
Hi, Carol – I haven’t yet read any of the books that you have featured here. And when I just looked up a long list of suggested reads to celebrate Women’s History Month, I hadn’t read any of those either. But many of my recent reads have had much to say about independent women, including ‘My Brilliant Career,’ ‘The Good Women of Safe Harbour,’ “The Briar Club,’ ‘The Dictionary of Lost Words,’ and ’84 Charing Cross Road.’
Thanks for the recs! I love stories of strong, independent women!
You have some great books on this list, Carol. I have read 6 of them, but have 2 others on my TBR shelf. There are so many books that would fit this category. I think I would add The Lilac Girls trilogy to it.
Oh yes! So many untold stories!
Hi Carole some fabulous titles here for Women History Month and I will be adding The Last Train to London to my list. Thanks for sharing and joining in at the WOYBS? link up.
Thanks Sue! I hope you enjoy it!
Hi Carol, these all look like great titles about women in history, many thanks for sharing them with us. I’ve not read any of them (yet) but am taking notes as we speak! Thanks for joining us for #WOYBS each month, your reviews are always well worth reading.
Thanks Debbie! Maybe you’ll find one you love!
These all look great. I haven’t read or heard of several of them. There are a few I’m going to add to my list.
All tbr worthy! I hope you find one great read here!