March is Women’s History Month!
Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed, authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as Women’s History Week. In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress designated the month of March as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating March as Women’s History Month. These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.
Below are some books, eBooks and audiobooks available at CA Library that recognize and celebrate the achievements of women in American History — search the CA Library catalog for the complete collection (Women > United States > History).
And for even more eBooks and audiobooks, check out the Women’s History Collection in the Sora digital reading app!
Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists: A Graphic History of Women’s Fight for Their Rights by Mikki Kendall — The ongoing struggle for women’s rights has spanned human history, touching nearly every culture on Earth, and encompassing a wide range of issues. This is a fun and fascinating graphic novel–style primer that covers the key figures and events that have advanced women’s rights from antiquity to the modern era.
“An incredibly comprehensive resource for readers seeking a look at women’s history that diverges from what is typically taught in school” (Library Journal).
Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani — The trail-blazing women of Group 9, NASA’s first mixed gender class, had the challenging task of convincing the powers that be that a woman’s place is in space, but they discovered that NASA had plenty to learn about how to make space travel possible for everyone.
“Fans of Ottaviani’s T-Minus: The Race to the Moon, as well as those interested in science or space travel, will eagerly gravitate to this title” (School Library Journal).
Atomic Women: The Untold Stories of the Scientists Who Helped Create the Nuclear Bomb by Roseanne Montillo — Bomb meets Code Girls in this nonfiction narrative about the little-known female scientists who were critical to the invention of the atomic bomb during World War II. Montillo explores not just the critical steps toward the creation of a successful nuclear bomb, but also the moral implications of such an invention.
“This woman-centered narrative fills a major gap in the popular understanding of how the atomic bomb came to be” (Publisher Weekly).
Code Girls: The True Story of the American Women Who Secretly Broke Codes in World War II by Liza Mundy — A young readers’ adaptation of Mundy’s bestseller Code Girls that chronicles the remarkable true story of the talented young American women who were recruited by the U.S. Army and Navy to crack German and Japanese military codes during World War II. Get the Audiobook
“Well-integrated black-and-white period photographs and the additions of a timeline, glossary, and further reading in the backmatter round out this adaptation” (Kirkus Reviews).
Gender Inequality In Sports: From Title IX To World Titles by Kirstin Cronn-Mills — Fifty years ago, President Richard Nixon signed Title IX into law, making it illegal for federally funded education programs to discriminate based on sex. Title IX set into motion a massive boom in girls and women’s sports teams, from kindergarten to the collegiate level. This comprehensive look at gender inequality in sports details the continued struggle against unequal pay, discrimination, and sexism despite Title IX. Get the eBook
“Necessary reading, particularly for those who think the battle is won and done” (Kirkus Reviews).
Our Brave Foremothers: Celebrating 100 Black, Brown, Asian, and Indigenous Women Who Changed the Course of History by Rozella Kennedy — Celebrating women of color who changed the course of U.S. history, this collection includes contributions by both famous and little-known names with prompts for you to connect your life to theirs to understand their influence and the power of their stories.
“Activists, artists, athletes, and scientists all receive long overdue recognition in this attractive volume” (Booklist).
The Radium Girls: The Scary but True Story of the Poison that Made People Glow in the Dark by Kate Moore — Adapted for younger readers, a narrative account of the true story of the young women who were dangerously exposed to Marie and Pierre Curie’s newly discovered element details their courageous struggle for justice and role in establishing life-saving regulations and preventing nuclear war. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook
“News clippings and period photos enhance the thoroughly sourced text, but it’s Moore’s personal, captivating prose that renders this shining piece of history unforgettable” (Booklist).
She Votes: How U.S. Women Won Suffrage, and What Happened Next by Bridget Quinn — An intersectional story of the women who won suffrage, and those who have continued to raise their voices for equality ever since. From the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation to the first woman to wear pants on the Senate floor, author Bridget Quinn shines a spotlight on the women who broke down barriers.
“Colorful, attention-grabbing illustrations in a diverse array of styles enhance Quinn’s snappy prose on nearly every page. This soaring movement history has something for neophytes and experts alike” (Publishers Weekly).
Smithsonian American Women: Remarkable Objects and Stories of Strength, Ingenuity, and Vision from the National Collection — An inspiring and surprising celebration of U.S. women’s history told through Smithsonian artifacts illustrating women’s participation in science, art, music, sports, fashion, business, religion, entertainment, military, politics, activism, and more.
“This is a well-put together, well-designed book, so stuffed with information that readers will be tempted to consume it, all at once or in chunks” (Booklist).
Wise Gals: The Spies Who Built the CIA and Changed the Future of Espionage by Nathalia Holt — The never-before-told story of a small cadre of influential female spies in the precarious early days of the CIA — women who helped create the template for cutting-edge espionage (and blazed new paths for equality in the workplace) in the treacherous post-WWII era. Get the Audiobook
“Like Holt’s Rise of the Rocket Girls, this is solid source material for teens researching overlooked history” (Booklist).
