Women: Books and Guides

A Century of Women: The Most Influential Events in Twentieth-Century Women’s History by Deborah G. Felder — A decade-by-decade guide to the history of women during the twentieth century.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker — Critically acclaimed novel about the lives of black women in America during the 1930s.

The Hidden Face of Eve: Women in the Arab World by Nawal El Saadawi — A doctor’s powerful account of the experiences of Muslim women; including the wearing of the burqa, genital mutilation, and other inequalities.

Human Rights and Gender Violence: Translating International Law into Local Justice by Sally Engle Merry — A study on the differences between actual United Nations decisions and the way those laws are applied — or not applied — to international women in real life.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou — Autobiographical tale of Angelou’s own childhood and struggle with racism, sexual abuse, and other important issues.

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan — A fictional yet poignant exploration of the relationship between four women and their Chinese mothers.

The Norton Book of Women’s Lives (edited by Phyllis Rose) — A collection of memoirs from great twentieth-century women, including Simone de Beauvoir, Anne Frank, Virginia Woolf, Nisa, Bernadette Devlin, and many others.

100 Most Important Women of the 20th Century (edited by Lorraine Glennon) — A chronicle of the most important women of the twentieth century in various fields, such as activism, science, sports, exploration, and more.

Progress of the World’s Women 2008/2009: Who Answers to Women? Gender & Accountability by UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women) — Report on the accountability of systems in place to protect and advance women, and the people and institutions that may or may not uphold them.

Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls by Mary Pipher — A study on the issues that teenage girls face growing up today; including: health, effect of the media, and other issues.

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler — Obie-Award winning play that celebrates female sexuality and has been performed around the world to raise money to fight violence against women.

The Women’s Book of Empowerment: 323 Affirmations That Change Everyday Problems into Moments of Potential by Charlene M. Proctor, Ph.D. — This inspiring book of wisdom contains affirmations (positive declarations) for daily challenges that women’s face.