Women: A Booklist

General

Axelrod-Contrada, Joan. Women Who Led Nations. 920.72 Axelrod

Profiles of the careers of seven women who became leaders of their countries, including Benazir Bhutto and Indira Gandhi.

Felder, Deborah G. The 100 Most Influential Women of All Time. 920.72 F332o

Felder ranks the top 100 women of all time based on their impact on society. Profiles on activists, scientists, educators, labor leaders, politicians, and rulers are included.

Madden, Annette. In Her Footsteps: 101 Remarkable Black Women from the Queen of Sheba to Queen Latifah. 920.7208996 Madden

Biographical information on a number of black women from around the world, past and present. The author includes many women who are not as well known but have made a mark in society.

Markey, Kevin. 100 Most Important Women of the 20th Century. 920.72 O58

This book covers a variety of women from activists and politicians, to doctors and scientists and from pioneers and adventurers, to artists and entertainers. Most of the subjects are American but many represent other countries as well.

Orgill, Roxane. Shout, Sister, Shout! 782.42164 Orgill.

Biographical information on ten female singers of the twentieth century including Bessie Smith, Joan Baez and Lucinda Williams. Young Adult.

Individuals

Adam, Faye My Name Was Fientje. 940.5318092 ADAM

A personal account of life for a young girl under Nazi rule. Faye Adam was only ten when she left her family to seek refuge in the Dutch countryside. Her courage and hope saved her life.

Amma Amma: Healing the Heart of the World by Judith Cornell. BIO Amrtanan

Known in her own country as a healer and a scholar, Amma is known around the world as "the hugging saint". She has been credited with thousands of miracles. Amma overcame poverty and hardship by devoting herself to comforting others.

Angelou, Maya I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas, Heart of a Woman, Gather Together in My Name, All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes. BIO Angelou

Angelou began her autobiography with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and continued with the story of her life in the titles mentioned above. Angelou is a celebrated poet and performer.

Buckley, Kathy If You Could Hear What I See: Lessons About Life, Luck and the Choices we Make. BIO Buckley

Kathy Buckley is an author, comedienne, motivational speaker, and performer. She was born hearing impaired but her disability went undetected until she was eight.

De La Cruz, Jessie Jessie De La Cruz: A Profile of a United Farm Worker by Gary Soto, BIO De La Cruz

She was the first female organizer of the United Farm Workers of America and her spirit triumphed over a childhood of poverty and tragedy.

Goodall, Jane Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey by Jane Goodall with Phillip Berman. BIO Goodall, Through a Window: My Thirty Years with the Chimpanzees of Gombe. BIO Goodall

Her scientific study of chimpanzees has spanned four decades and has laid the foundation for all primate study. Despite terror attacks, hostage takings, and other attempts to stop her work, Jane has been able to continue to promote animal rights and the study of chimpanzees.

Kim, Elizabeth Ten Thousand Sorrows; The Extraordinary Life of a Korean War Orphan. BIO Kim

After witnessing her mother's murder, young Elizabeth Kim is left in an orphanage then adopted by an American family. Her biracial features make her a target of racism in Asia and in America.

King, Coretta Scott Coretta Scott King by Diane Patrick. E K581

She is best known as the wife of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. Today, Coretta is working to promote the rights of women and world peace. A national children's and young adult's award has been named after her.

King, Billie Jean Billie Jean King: Tennis Trailblazer by Joanne Lannin. BIO King

Billie Jean King is known as one of the best tennis players in history, but she is also known for her success in changing society's view of women in sports. She fought for the right to equal pay for women tennis players, and she advocated equal opportunities for girls interested in sports.

Mah, Adeline Yen Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter. BIO Mah

When her mother died giving birth to her, Adeline was considered bad luck by her family. Despite her efforts to be accepted by her new stepmother and step-siblings, Adeline struggled through a painful childhood.

Menchu, Rigoberta I...Rigoberta Menchu. E M498, Crossing Borders. E M498 .2

Rigoberta overcame gross injustice, terror and exploitation to become a national leader in her home country of Guatemala and a spokeswoman for indigenous peoples. In 1992 she won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Oufkir, Malika Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail. BIO Oufkir

Malika Oufkir led a privileged life as the adopted daughter of a king. All this changed when her real father was found guilty of treason and executed. Malika found herself and her family in a desert prison where torture, starvation and darkness became an everyday reality.

Whitestone, Heather Listening with my Heart. E W5876

Profoundly deaf since she was eighteen months old, Heather Whitestone overcame all obstacles to become an accomplished ballet dancer and the first deaf Miss America

Reference Books

Carney Smith, Jessie, editor. Notable Black American Women. REF 920.7208996 N843 v.1-2.

Commire, Anne, editor. Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia. REF 920.7203 WOMEN v.1-10.

Hyman, Paula E. and Deborah Dash Moore. Jewish Women in America: An Historical Encyclopedia. REF 920.72089 J556 v.1-2

James, Edward T., editor. Notable American Women: A Biographical Dictionary. REF 920.7 N843 v.1-3

Telgen, Diane and Jim Kamp. Notable Hispanic American Women. REF 920.7208968 N811 1993

Websites

National Organization For Women www.now.org

National Council of Women's Organizations www.womensorganizations.org

Smartgirl (Young Adult) www.smartgirl.com

Distinguished Women of Past and Present www.distinguishedwomen.com/

Notable Women Ancestors www.rootsweb.com/~nwa/