Empowering and Enlightening Reads to Inspire Women of All Ages

To help celebrate International Women’s Day (and beyond), we share seven inspiring books by women, about women, for everyone

Despite being around for well over a century, when International Women’s Day rolls around each March we’re all sure to see a deluge of tweets asking the important questions: When’s International Men’s Day? (It’s November 19.) Why do we even need an International Women’s Day? The fact that we see these threads popping up year after year still says a lot about why we still need a day celebrating not only women and their achievements, but highlighting how far we still have to go to attain true equality for everyone.

What is International Women’s Day (and why do we need it?)

A global day of celebrating the social, cultural, economic, and political achievements of women, International Women’s Day calls for action to accelerate gender parity (such as the access to education for both men and women, equal pay, opportunities and rights). While many argue that there is no longer a need for this as many countries have laws to address issues such as the gender pay gap, there are still many areas in which we have a long way to go.

Taking place annually since 1911 when over one million people across Austria, Germany, Denmark and Switzerland first celebrated the day, women’s rights movements in America and the UK are also credited for helping bring women’s struggle for equality into the light.

As world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist Gloria Steinem once explained “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” Intermational Women’s Day is yours to make of it as you will. Why not take the time to see how you can truly make a positive impact for other women in small but significant ways?

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7 inspirational books about women, by women, for everyone

Discover books that can help enlighten, enrich, and motivate readers towards making a bright, equal, and safer world for everyone.

Fight Like A Girl: 50 Feminists Who Changed The World
Laura Barcella

Paperback | eBook
Discover more about 50 of the most fearless feminists who have changed the world. Highlighting both historical icons and unsung heroes, each extraordinary woman’s life story is accompanied by a striking portrait and detailed side-bar outlining their hard-fought causes and iconic quotes. Filled with inspirational women from Marie Curie to Sandi Toksvig, each real-life story aims to arm readers with the knowledge to help them become more active and fight life a girl.

What A Time To Be Alone: The Slumflower’s Guide To Why You Are Already Enough
Chidera Eggerue

Paperback | eBook
From social media sensation, Chidera Eggerue (AKA The Slumflower) comes her debut book, What A Time To Be Alone. A mordern guide to life, confidence, and being your authentic self, Chidera’s empowering and motivational book is overflowing with wisdom and life lessons.

Filled with short essays on loneliness, self-worth, mental health, racism, priviledge, body image, and more, Chidera higlights the importance of choosing yourself: no matter how much you may have let yourself down, no matter how uncomfortable or tired you may be. Putting yourself and your needs first is key.

Voices of Powerful Women
Zoe Sallis

Hardback | eBook
A collection of 40 of the world’s powerful women to answer 10 thought-provoking and inspiring questions. Sharing the experiences of powerful women from all walks of life: enviromentalists and humanitarians, Nobel Peace Prize winners and artists, polititians and actors, journalists and activists. Each woman discusses their work, achievements, hopes and fears, offering inspiration and optimism for the future through sharing their own journies and achievements.

Highlighting the stories and experiences of both some of the world’s most iconic women and those who have made changes in less publicised ways, learn more about the experiences, inspirations and rolemodels of these amazing women. From sharing their early experiences to their gratest fears, discover how these women think we can change the world and find out more about their advice for the younger generations. Encouraging women everywhere to know they can achieve their greatest ambitions, discover more about how you can change the world for the better.

Feminists Don’t Wear Pink (And Other Lies)
Scarlett Curtis

Hardback | eBook
The National Book Awards Winner and The Sunday Times Bestseller loved by readers and celebs alike, Feminists Don’t Wear Pink (And Other Lies) explores what the ‘f-word’ (feminism) means to women.

Called “Brilliant, hysterical, truthful and real” by Reese Witherspoon, and “A refreshing and honest celebration of all that is meant to be a woman today” by Fearne cotton, through a collection of essays Curtis and 52 influential women explore what feminism means to them. From internet superstar Zoella to actresses Emma Watson and Keira Knightly, women from all backgrounds share their thoughts on feminism.

Published in partnership with ‘Girl Up’, the United Nation’s women’s foundation, Feminists Don’t Wear Pink acts as a call-to-arms for readers to explore what it means to be a feminist. From understanding the complexities that unite women from all walks of life to how we can rise up against the patriachy that wants to dictate what a feminist means, this doesn’t try to be the definitive book of feminism - it aims to keep the conversation going.

Iconic Women of Colour
Candi Williams

Paperback
Featuring 38 women and their amazing true stories, Iconic Women of Colour explores some of the women of colour who have fought to be heard, to vote, to change perceptions, and to pave the way for future generations.

Sharing the unique experiences and achievements of each woman, entries are accompanied by hand-drawn illustrations and concise biographies detailing their lives and achievements. From historic icons to modern-day heroes, discover more about iconic women of colour including Aretha Franklin, Chidera Eggerue, Carmen Perez and Bessie Coleman.

Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls One and Two
Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo

Hardback | eBook
The kickstarter sensation that raised over half a million in funding, Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls reinvents fairy tales to inspire young girls through the stories of 100 of the greatest women throughout history. A modern classic sharing the achievements of remarkable women across scients and politics, as well as literature, sports, and beyond. Each book contains beautiful illustrations created by over 60 female artists from around the wrold.

Sharing the stories of real-women told in fairytale style, volumes one and two each offer interesting bedtime stories for both children and the parents reading to (or with) them alike. For those who can’t get enough, the Rebel Girls podcast is also available to listen to for free.

Women In Battle
Marta Breen and Jenny Jordahl

Paperback | eBook
Bringing to life the monumental achievements of women around the world up until the present day, this graphic novel paints a picture of the ongoing struggles women have faced for freedom and equality over the past 150 years. Filled with both optimism and inspiration for how far we still have to go, Women In Battle provides a great introduction to the history of feminism for children and tweens.

Highlighting women’s rights aross the world, topics range from the suffragette movement to female world leaders, abortion and controception to gay marriage and the #MeToo movement.