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Women who have made a difference



Women’s History Month celebrates remarkable women and their contributions

Celebrate Women's History Month with these books

Great women in history are celebrated in children's books, including "The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L.Payne," by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by John Parra (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books). 

Each March, Women's History Month honors women whose strength, fortitude and actions have made a difference in others' lives. Many of those women have left a lasting mark in the Hudson Valley and beyond, including:

• Jane Bolin (1908-2007) of the City of Poughkeepsie, who was America's first female African American judge.

• Frances Reese (1917-2003) of the Town of Wappinger, whose environmental leadership included initiatives with Scenic Hudson.

• Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) of Ulster County's hamlet of Swartekill, who was dedicated to abolitionist causes and women's rights.

• Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) of the Town of Hyde Park, whose work as the First Lady of the United States, included humanitarian efforts and the advocacy of women's and human rights.

• Deborah Sampson (1760-1827) of Massachusetts, who disguised herself as a man to serve in the army in Vails Gate in Orange County during the Revolutionary War, becoming America's first female soldier.

• Toshi Seeger (1922-2013) of the City of Beacon, whose work involved filmmaking and environmentalism through the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, which she co-founded to protect the Hudson River.

Spark the spirit of empowerment with your children through books that recognize and celebrate women dedicated to improving the world around them.  

Ages 4-8

'The Only Woman in the Photo: Frances Perkins & Her New Deal forAmerica,' by Katherine Krull, illustrated by Alexandra Bye (Atheneum Books for Young Readers)

'The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L.Payne,' by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by John Parra (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books)

'Ruth Bader Ginsburg,' by Laurie Calkhoven, lllustrated by Elizabet Vukovic (Simon Spotlight)

'What Miss Mitchell Saw,' by Hayley Barrett, illustrated by Diana Sudyka (Beach Lane Books)

'She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World,' by Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger (Philomel Books)

Ages 5-8 

'I am Jane Goodall (Ordinary People Change the World),' by Brad Meltzer, illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos (Dial Books)

READ MORE: Celebrate Women's History Month in the Hudson Valley

Ages 7-10

'Discovering History's Heroes: Ida B. Wells, Fighter for Justice,' by Diane Bailey (Aladdin)

Ages 8-12

Work it, Girl, book series: 'Boss the bestseller list like J.K. Rowling,' 'Blast off into space like Mae Jemison,' 'Become a leader like Michelle Obama,' 'Run the show like CEO Oprah Winfrey,' 'Rule the music scene like Queen Beyonce Knowles,' (October 2020), 'Make them laugh like Ellen DeGeneres,' (October 2020)(Frances Lincoln Children's Books) 

'Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History,' by Vashti Harrison (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)

'100 Women Who Made History: Remarkable Women Who Shaped Our World (100 in History),' (DK Children)

'Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race,' by Margot Lee Shetterly, illustrated by Laura Freeman (HarperCollins)

Ages 8 and up

'Herstory: 50 Women and Girls Who Shook Up the World,' by Katherine Halligan, illustrated by Sarah Walsh (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

Ages 9 and up

'What Every Girl Should Know: Margaret Sanger's Journey,' by J. Albert Mann (Atheneum Books for Young Readers)

Ages 10 and up

'Becoming RBG', by Debbie Levy, illustrated by Whitney Gardner (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)