March is Women's History Month! Did you know that Women’s History Month has its roots in the struggle for workers’ rights? In 1908, women garment workers protested the poor working conditions inside factories. This was just the beginning of a larger fight for equality, equity, and safe working environments for all, which continues to this day.
Ask your local librarian for help finding titles that explore the contributions and achievements of strong female protagonists and lesser-known heroes of history with fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels.
Celebrate Contributions of Lesser-Known Heroes of History:
The Bodyguard Unit: Edith Garrud, Women's Suffrage, and Jujitsu
Who were the jujitsuffragettes? In the early 20th century, women in England demanded the right to vote and faced violent retaliation. Rather than back down, the suffragist group Women's Social and Political Union formed its own security unit. Edith Garrud, a pioneering self-defense instructor, trained them to fight back against abuse and arrest while pursuing long-overdue rights. This graphic retelling of Garrud's life reveals the resilience and (often physical) resistance of her era's voting rights activists.
Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists: A Graphic History of Women's Fight for Their Rights
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. In addition, this compelling book illuminates the stories of notable women throughout history — from queens and freedom fighters to warriors and spies — and the progressive movements led by women that have shaped history, including abolition, suffrage, labor, civil rights, LGBTQ+ liberation, reproductive rights, and more.
This is an introductory glimpse into how Indigenous Peoples tell these stories in their own words. From Southeast Asia to South America, vibrant communities must grapple with colonial realities to assert ownership over their lands and traditions. This project was undertaken in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut in Jakarta. These stories were selected from an open call across 42 countries to spotlight feminist movements and advocacies in the Global South.
Inspiration from Strong Female Protagonists in Fiction
Shuri, princess of Wakanda, has one of the bravest souls and most brilliant minds in the Marvel-verse — and these are the tales that prove it! She's happiest in a lab, surrounded by gadgets. But when her brother T'Challa goes missing, will Shuri step up for the sake of Wakanda? Shuri's search takes her to New York City, where a wild adventure awaits alongside two of America's finest young heroes, Miles Morales and Kamala Khan! Then, it's a high-tech, high-octane race against the X-Men's engineer Forge and several other gearheads, but Shuri always plays to win! And when one of the Black Panther's advisors suffers an injury, a wicked curse sends T'Challa and Shuri on an epic quest where nothing is as it seems!
An ancient, long-forgotten ritual bonds Diana to a young lady from Gotham City with a deeply troubled past. Worse yet, Wonder Woman is forced into the role of her teacher and protector and soon discovers that she also must stand between her student and the earthly justice that the Dark Knight so rightly seeks.
America. Vol. 1, The Life and Times of America Chavez
She was a Young Avenger. She leads the Ultimates. And now she officially claims her place as the preeminent butt-kicker of the entire Marvel Universe! But what's a super-powered teenager to do when she's looking for a little personal fulfillment? She goes to college! America just has to stop an interdimensional monster or two first and shut down a pesky alien cult that's begun worshipping her exploits before work can begin. Then she can get on with her first assignment: a field trip to the front lines of World War II — with Captain America as her wingman!
Soul Eater Vol. 1: Listen to the Beat of the Soul
Maka is a weapon meister, determined to turn her partner, a living scythe named Soul Eater, into a powerful death scythe — the ultimate weapon of Death himself! Charged with the task of collecting and devouring the tainted souls of 99 humans and one witch, Maka, her fellow meisters strive to master their weapons as they face off against the bizarre and dangerous minions of the underworld. But the meisters' own personal quirks may prove a bigger obstacle than any sultry enchantress!
When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine pilot, it’s to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister’s death. But when she gets her vengeance, it becomes clear that she is an Iron Widow, a rare kind of female pilot who can sacrifice males to power up Chrysalises instead.
For more titles, check out our Women's History Month book list!
If you want to learn more about National Women’s History Month and International Women's Day (March 8), you can check out the National Archives’ dedicated website, where you can find resources and facts on the event in the US. For information about International Women’s Day, go to the United Nations’ website.
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