Monday 8 March 2021 is International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is one of the most important days of the year to celebrate women’s achievements and raise awareness about equality.
The campaign theme for 2021 is Choose to Challenge – we can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.
We’ve put together a collection of titles to inspire your IWD reading!
Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
Our world is largely built for and by men, in a system that can ignore half the population. This book will tell you how and why this matters. Award-winning campaigner and writer Caroline Criado Perez shows us how, in a world largely built for and by men, we are systematically ignoring half the population. She exposes the gender data gap – a gap in our knowledge that is at the root of perpetual, systemic discrimination against women, and that has created a pervasive but invisible bias with a profound effect on women’s lives. Borrow now.
Women & Power: A Manifesto by Mary Beard
An updated edition of the Sunday Times Bestseller Britain’s best-known classicist Mary Beard, is also a committed and vocal feminist. With wry wit, she revisits the gender agenda and shows how history has treated powerful women. Her examples range from the classical world to the modern day, from Medusa and Athena to Theresa May and Hillary Clinton. Beard explores the cultural underpinnings of misogyny, considering the public voice of women, our cultural assumptions about women’s relationship with power, and how powerful women resist being packaged into a male template. Borrow now.
The Mermaid by Christina Henry
Once there was a fisherman who lived on a cold and rocky coast and was never able to convince any woman to come away and live in that forbidding place with him. One evening he pulled up his net and found a woman in it. A woman with black hair and eyes as grey as a stormy sea and a gleaming fish’s tail instead of legs. A beautifully written story about a mermaid who triumphs over P.T. Barnum’s attempts to exploit her. It is set in the oppressive 1800s, but Amelia battles to forge the life she wants and her friendship with other women helps her to do it. Borrow now.
Lean In, by Sheryl Sandberg
Facebook COO and one of Fortune magazine’s Most Powerful Women in Business – draws on her own experience of working in some of the world’s most successful businesses to show how women can empower themselves, unlock top leadership roles and achieve their full potential. Borrow now.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America – the first African-American to serve in that role – she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world. Borrow now.
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche
Adichie weaves together themes of love, race, class, identity and the search for home in this sweeping novel with an indelible female protagonist, Ifemelu, a Nigerian woman who leaves home for several years to study and live in the U.S. Borrow now.
Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou
These four poems, “Phenomenal Woman,” “Still I Rise,” “Weekend Glory,” and “Our Grandmothers,” are among the most remembered and acclaimed of Angelou’s works. They celebrate women with a majesty that has inspired and touched the hearts of millions. Borrow now.
Rise Up Women! By Diane Atkinson
Marking the centenary of female suffrage, this definitive history charts women’s fight for the vote through the lives of those who took part, in a timely celebration of an extraordinary struggle. Borrow now.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
An all-American tale of virtue and true love, ‘Little Women’ is the 19th century coming-of-age story of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March. A true classic, following the lives of these four spirited sisters, readers can explore Alcott’s family drama as they navigate life with a father at war, financial hardships and the lure and intrigue of the handsome young man who lives next door. Borrow now.
She Speaks by Yvette Cooper
Looking at lists of the greatest speeches of all time, you might think that powerful oratory is the preserve of men. But the truth is very different – countless brave and bold women have used their voices to inspire change, transform lives and radically alter history.In this timely and personal selection of exceptional speeches, Yvette Cooper MP tells the rousing story of female oratory. Borrow now.
Malala by Terry Barber
Malala was lucky. Her parents knew the value of an education for both boys and girls, so Malala was sent to school and excelled. Today, Malala is known world-wide as the young Pakistani girl who bravely spoke up in support of female education. In spite of a near-fatal attack by a Taliban supporter who shot her in the head, Malala continues to be a determined voice for young girls striving to get an education. In 2014, at the age of 17, Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the youngest person ever to achieve the prestigious award. Borrow now.
Women’s History Month
March is also Women’s History Month – Explore the collection of books from our e-library celebrating women’s and the women’s movement.
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