Celebrate Women's History Month
Every March, we celebrate Women's History Month—a time to honor the achievements, stories, and lasting impact of women throughout history. From trailblazing leaders and groundbreaking scientists to artists, activists, and everyday changemakers, women have shaped our world in powerful ways. This month, we invite you to explore a curated collection of books that highlight women’s voices, experiences, and contributions across cultures and generations. Plus, check out the @aulibrary Instagram post about our display for more recommendations!
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, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. [Penguin Random House}
Rage Becomes Her: The power of women's anger by Soraya Chemaly
Chemaly offers statistics, studies, and convincing stories to justify rage, but where phenomena like the #MeToo movement and the women’s marches offer examples of turning collective anger into action, she dwells on the denial and backlash that occur when women try to identify or confront the “dense matrix of violence and discrimination” embedded in culture. She encourages women to cultivate “anger competence,” or owning one’s anger, with advice to develop self-awareness and finding a supportive community. [Publishers Weekly]
Know my Name: A memoir by Chanel Miller
She was known to the world as Emily Doe when she stunned millions with a letter. Brock Turner had been sentenced to just six months in county jail after he was found sexually assaulting her on Stanford’s campus. Her victim impact statement was posted on BuzzFeed, where it instantly went viral–viewed by eleven million people within four days, it was translated globally and read on the floor of Congress; it inspired changes in California law and the recall of the judge in the case. Thousands wrote to say that she had given them the courage to share their own experiences of assault for the first time. [Penguin Random House]
I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafza
In 2012, Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai rose to worldwide fame in an unfortunate way when the Taliban boarded her school bus and shot her in the head. Malala was known for campaigning for girls and their right to attend school; the area she lived in had come under Taliban rule. [Publishing Perspectives]
Girlhood by Melissa Febos
In her powerful new book, critically acclaimed author Melissa Febo's examines the narratives women are told about what it means to be female and what it takes to free oneself from them...Girlhood is a philosophical treatise, an anthem for women, and a searing study of the transitions into and away from girlhood, toward a chosen self. [Bloomsbury]
This Heritage Months display was produced in partnership with AU's Center for Student Belonging. Follow the CSB on Instagram and Engage for more Heritage Month programming and events, or sign up for their biweekly newsletter.