To celebrate Women’s History Month, the Gavel has compiled a list of books that highlight women’s strength and empowerment. Whether these characters are advocating for women’s rights, navigating a path to self-discovery and autonomy, or leading scientific research, we hope their stories will inspire you. These books spotlight the female perspective and experience, simultaneously unifying women while demonstrating the diversity of experiences.
Happy Women’s History Month!
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
This novel is set in Mississippi in 1962. It tells the story of two black maids, Aibileen and Minny, and a white journalist nicknamed “Skeeter.” These women unite to start a movement and expose racism. This story empowers women by highlighting the resilience and strength of women who fight against systemic oppression.
The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
This is a true story centered around the young women who worked with radium in the early 20th century. These women fought for justice after their radium exposure, which led to debilitating and dangerous health issues. This story empowers women by highlighting their courage and determination to fight for their health and their rights.
Educated by Tara Westover
This memoir tells the story of Tara Westover’s path to a college degree and PhD within a family that did not believe in education. Westover grew up in the mountains of Idaho with her survivalist Mormon parents. Despite her love for her family, Westover breaks from their restrictive expectations and prioritizes her autonomy. This memoir illustrates the transformative nature of education, and tells the story of a woman who fought for her own future.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
This book follows the “quirky” protagonist Eleanor, a social outcast who falls in love with and becomes fixated on a singer she believes she is destined to be with. While this is not a conventionally feminist plot, the story follows Eleanor as she processes her isolation and grapples with a traumatic past. The novel acts as commentary on societal expectations of the female experience. Eleanor is able to connect with and understand herself on her pathway to healing.
Beloved by Toni Morrison
This novel follows the life of Sethe, a previously enslaved woman, and her daughter, Denver, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The spirit of Sethe’s deceased daughter, Beloved, returns to haunt their home. Sethe navigates the complexity of maternal love as she reflects on the horrific choice she had to make to protect her unborn daughter from being born into slavery. Sethe illustrates the resiliency and agency of black women, as she confronts the trauma of slavery and the loss of a child.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This novel tells the life story of Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo as she recounts stories of her family, her ambitions, and her romantic endeavors. Hugo shows remarkable motivation and strength in her career, highlighting women’s autonomy. As her story develops, she progresses further along the path to self-discovery and confidently acknowledges her identity as a queer woman in the 1950s. This novel empowers women by highlighting a woman’s autonomy, and the strength and power in identity and self-discovery.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
This novel centers around Elizabeth Zott, who is a laboratory chemist on an all-male team in the 1960s. Zott experiences countless instances of abuse and inequality within the workplace. She uses her intelligence and ingenuity to fight for women’s rights and inspire other women to transform the misogynistic status quo.
The Trojan Women by Euripides
This play tells the stories of female prisoners of the Trojan war such as Andromache, Hecuba, and Cassandra. Euripides made a revolutionary move in centering a story around women and using the tale as a tool to express an antiwar sentiment.. This text presents a narrative of female empowerment through the perspective of ancient Greek history.
The Poppy War series by R.F. Kuang
This fantasy series is centered around a powerful female protagonist, Rin. The female-centered story portrays Rin as a nuanced character, especially compared to more generic literature tropes of the genre. Rin is targeted by her military school classmates due to her gender, race, and status of poverty. She discovers her gift in shamanic powers, and seeks to master her unique abilities.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
This memoir recounts Walls’ childhood growing up in a dysfunctional and unconventional family. The story highlights her resilience and ability to overcome the challenges of her tumultuous upbringing. Through her experiences, Walls learns to care for herself and trust in her own strength, ultimately breaking the cycle of generational poverty that shaped her early life.
Malia Robinson
Aspiring florist and poet with a love for mystery novels and Van Gogh paintings.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.