March is designated Women’s History Month to help shine light on the many unsung women who have contributed to American culture, politics and society. Here’s a selection of new books that chronicle the lives of some extraordinary women, many largely unknown. Click on the book covers to be taken to our catalog, where you can place holds.
Nina: A Story of Nina Simone by Traci N. Todd; illustrated by Christian Robinson.
Nina Simone was a singing prodigy who used her talent to fight for racial justice.
The Fearless Flight of Hazel Ying Lee by Julie Leung; illustrated by Julie Kwon.
Hazel Ying Lee was a brave pilot who fought for her right to fly despite racial and gender discrimination working against her.
Shaped by her Hands: Potter Maria Martinez by Anna Harber Freeman & Barbara Gonzales; illustrated by Aphelandra.
Tewa Pueblo potter Maria Povika Martinez developed a technique for creating polished black pottery using traditional methods and shared her work with the world.
Shirley Chisholm Dared: The Story of the First Black Woman in Congress by Alicia D. Williams; illustrated by April Harrison.
Meet the first Black woman elected to Congress and to run for president.
Send a Girl: The True Story of How Women Joined the FDNY by Jessica M. Rinker; illustrated by Meg Hunt
Firefighter Brenda Berkman worked to make women a part of the NYC Fire Department.
Sharice’s Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman by Nancy K. Mays; illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley.
Sharice Davids became one of the first two Native women elected to congress.
Queen of physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom / written by Teresa Robeson; illustrated by Rebecca Huang.
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 / written by Helaine Becker; illustrated by Dow Phumiruk.
Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines: Designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial / written by Jeanne Walker Harvey; illustrated by Dow Phumiruk.
Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln / written by Margarita Engle; illustrated by Rafael López.
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist / written by Jess Keating; illustrations by Marta Álvarez Miguéns.
Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams / written by Lesa Cline-Ransome; illustrated by James Ransome.
The Girl Who Ran: Bobbi Gibb, the First Woman to Run the Boston Marathon / written by Frances Poletti and Kristina Yee; illustrated by Susanna Chapman.
Cubs in the Tub: The True Story of the Bronx Zoo’s First Woman Zookeeper / Candace Fleming; illustrated by Julie Downing.
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré / words by Anika Aldamuy Denise; illustrations by Paola Escobar.