The Women of Now
With Spring on the horizon and the haze of winter slowly leaving us, we’re all beginning that time of year where we think of our futures again. As the trees get new leaves and flowers bloom, ideas and aspirations begin to fill our hearts. It’s almost like New Year’s again— resolutions being drafted anew. As we look ahead, we must also remember to take a look around ourselves and where we are right now.
The month of March is Women’s History Month, and Monday, March 8th is International Women’s Day. Here are five women whose books chronicle their journeys in making history.
Joy Harjo
The current U.S. Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo is a Native American woman of the Creek tribe from Oklahoma. She has multiple books of poetry, including The Woman Who Fell from the Sky and She Had Some Horses. All her works operate through her unique lens as a Native American woman, using the history of her people and her own life. Her autobiography, Crazy Brave: A Memoir, is of the same stock, telling her story of personal growth and becoming the poet she is today.
Malala Yousafzai
It’s not often that people become recognizable just by their first name before they’re fifteen years old. Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by the Taliban in 2012 and survived, going on to fight for girl’s rights to education, writing an autobiography of her beliefs and her ascension as a famous activist, and graduating from Oxford University in 2020. I am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban was released in 2013. Malala is also the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Greta Thunberg
At the age of fifteen, Greta inspired millions of school-aged children across the world to protest the lack of considerable action against climate change. Greta caught the attention of millions more by striking from school, replacing the hours spent in classrooms with days standing up for what she believed in. Her autobiography, No One is Too Small to Make a Difference illustrates her journey and beliefs, giving insight into one of the world’s most influential young activists. Greta has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Michelle Obama
We just can’t get enough of Michelle Obama! Releasing her autobiography in 2018, Michelle detailed her experience as the First Lady of the United States, and the first African-American First Lady. In 2020, Michelle released her podcast of a similar nature, The Michelle Obama Podcast. Both autobiography and the autobiographical episodes open the door into Michelle’s extraordinary mind and experiences.
Shonda Rhimes
The name not ringing a bell? Try Grey’s Anatomy. Shonda created and executive produced the beloved long running soap opera. In the wake of the series’ success, she became the first African-American woman to be in charge of a Top 10 network TV show. Along with several other TV shows, Shonda has written the self-help book Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person and the follow-along journal of the same name.
Emily Whitcomb is an IUPUI sophomore intern who is majoring in English. She enjoys reading, writing, baking, and watching movies with friends and family.
