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It’s Women’s History Month, and I’m already feeling inspired.
This is such a great time to celebrate the incredible women who’ve made history and changed the world.
One of my favorite ways to honor this month is through books that highlight their stories.
This list is full of books that couldn’t be more perfect for the month.
From big names to hidden figures, these stories remind us just how much women have done (and keep doing).
It’s a little frustrating how often women’s contributions get overlooked, but that’s why I love books like these – they make sure those stories don’t get forgotten.
I’ve already read a lot of these (and they’re incredible), but there are still a few I’ve been saving for the right moment.
If you’re looking for something inspiring to read this month, you’re in the right place.
1. Salty: Lessons on Eating, Drinking, and Living from Revolutionary Women by Alissa Wilkinson
Imagine sitting at a dinner party with some of the most revolutionary women in history – Maya Angelou, Octavia Butler, Agnes Varda, and more.
Alissa Wilkinson invites us to that very table in Salty, where food becomes a metaphor for resilience, freedom, and connection.
This book is a love letter to these incredible women and the ways they used sustenance to fuel their courage and creativity.
It’s sharp, salty, and endlessly inspiring.
2. Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop by Danyel Smith
Danyel Smith shines a light on the Black women who shaped American pop music, from Aretha Franklin to Mariah Carey.
It’s part memoir, part biography, and wholly empowering.
You’ll leave this book humming tunes and feeling a deeper appreciation for the musical genius of these women, whose stories deserve to be center stage.
3. Queens of Jerusalem: The Women Who Dared to Rule by Katherine Pangonis
When we think of the Crusades, women rarely come to mind, but Queens of Jerusalem changes that.
Katherine Pangonis brings to life the daring, intelligent women who ruled and defended Jerusalem against all odds.
From queens negotiating with Saladin to warriors on the battlefield, this is a fascinating, overdue tribute to the women who made history in one of the most tumultuous periods.
4. Know My Name by Chanel Miller
Chanel Miller’s memoir is nothing short of breathtaking.
Known as Emily Doe during the infamous Brock Turner case, she reclaims her voice in Know My Name, where she shares her story of pain, resilience, and healing.
This is a deeply personal and powerful book that challenges our culture’s biases while showing the strength it takes to move forward after trauma.
5. Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
Before astronauts touched the stars, a group of brilliant African-American women paved the way as NASA’s human computers.
Hidden Figures is their story that weaves together civil rights, science, and perseverance into one incredible narrative.
These women defied segregation and shattered barriers to prove that brilliance knows no bounds.
It’s a must-read for anyone who loves stories of unsung heroes who changed the world.
6. The Exceptions by Kate Zernike
This is the inspiring tale of 16 women scientists at MIT who stood up against discrimination and sparked a national reckoning in the world of science.
Kate Zernike tells their story with honesty and admiration and she spotlights their courage in confronting subtle but damaging biases.
If you’ve ever doubted your voice can make a difference, The Exceptions will convince you otherwise.
7. Paradise Falls by Keith O’Brien
In Paradise Falls, we meet the brave mothers of Love Canal who fought against a devastating toxic waste crisis.
Their grassroots activism exposed corporate negligence and sparked the modern environmental movement.
It’s a story of motherhood, resilience, and the power of standing up for what’s right – even when the odds are stacked against you.
This one will leave you inspired to take on the world, one small step at a time.
8. Heiresses: The Lives of the Million Dollar Babies by Laura Thompson
Money may buy luxury, but it doesn’t guarantee happiness.
Heiresses peels back the glittering façade of wealth to reveal the often-tragic lives of women who inherited fortunes.
From love to loss, independence to captivity, Laura Thompson is simple the most captivating narrative about the challenges and triumphs of these women.
9. The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan
Denise Kiernan brings us to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where women worked in mystery during WWII and unknowingly contributer to the Manhattan Project.
It’s a mix of camaraderie, courage, and the haunting realization of what their work ultimately created.
The Girls of Atomic City is deeply moving and a tribute to these unsung heroines of science and war.
10. Brave Hearted: The Women of the American West by Katie Hickman
The Wild West wasn’t just cowboys and saloons; it was full of women with grit and heart.
From Native American women fighting displacement to mothers trekking across the prairies, Katie Hickman brings their stories to life.
These women shaped the frontier with courage, resilience, and determination.
It’s the untold side of the West, and it’s every bit as epic as the legends.
11. A Short History of Queer Women by Kirsty Loehr
Queer women have always been part of history, so why don’t we hear more about them?
This book hilariously and thoughtfully shines a light on the women who loved women, from pirate duos like Anne Bonny and Mary Read to modern icons like Megan Rapinoe.
It’s witty, bold, and packed with stories that rewrite the history books.
12. My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Mary Hartnett, and Wendy W. Williams
RBG’s first book as a Supreme Court Justice is as inspiring as you’d expect.
It’s contains everything from her speeches, writings, and thoughts on everything from gender equality to opera.
The way her life and legacy come through here is so powerful.
And, it felt like sitting down with a wise, trailblazing friend who changed the world.
13. The Agitators: Three Friends Who Fought for Abolition and Women’s Rights by Dorothy Wickenden
Three incredible women – Harriet Tubman, Frances Seward, and Martha Wright – joined forces to fight slavery and champion women’s rights.
This book is filled with stories of courage, friendship, and defying the odds.
The Underground Railroad, Civil War, and women’s activism are all woven together in such a moving way.
14. The Once and Future Sex: Going Medieval on Women’s Roles in Society by Eleanor Janega
This book takes a fascinating look at how medieval ideas about women shaped (and still shape) society.
Eleanor Janega dives into everything from beauty standards to motherhood, using real stories of remarkable medieval women.
It’s eye-opening and so relevant.
I love how it challenges us to rethink what’s possible for women today.
15. The Girl Explorers by Jayne Zanglein
Imagine women boldly trekking the globe, scaling mountains, and breaking barriers when society told them they couldn’t.
This book celebrates the daring women of the Society of Women Geographers who paved the way for adventurers, scientists, and dreamers.
It’s a thrilling and inspiring read – I mean, who doesn’t love a story about women proving the world wrong?
Be sure to check out the related posts for more book ideas, and I’d love to know your favorites.
Drop a comment below and let’s chat about which books you’re adding to your reading list.
