Check It Out: Books about great women
In March, we celebrate Women’s History Month.
Learn more about some of the amazing women who have helped shape the world we live in at the Newport Beach Public Library.
“The Great Divorce” by Ilyon Woo chronicles the landmark 19th century divorce between Eunice Chapman and her husband, James. Chapman’s divorce ended up paving the way for women who were tired of being their abusive husband’s property. James kidnapped their three children and held them hostage and Eunice spent five long years battling to get them back, determined as only a mother can be.
Laurel Ulrich examines the lives of several prominent women throughout the years in “Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History.” Rich and insightful, Ulrich brings to life the amazing contributions these women made to history and shows how different the world would look today had they not been so determined and willing to break the rules.
In 1851, a clipper ship navigated by Eleanor Creesy broke a speed record that would last for more than a century. In “Flying Cloud,” author David W. Shaw recounts this remarkable tale of skill and bravery by Creesy.
She and her husband, who was captain of the ship, collaborated together to make the journey, using revolutionary new theories that have changed the way ships sail, advances that are still being used today.
Behind every great man there is a great woman, so the saying goes, and Cokie Roberts makes the case for this in her work “Founding Mothers.” Roberts looks at the lives of the spouses of some of our nation’s leading men and discovers the important contributions they made toward making America an independent nation. The founding fathers couldn’t have done it without the love, support, and wisdom of the women they married.
“The Peabody Sisters” by Megan Marshall recounts the lives of Elizabeth, Mary and Sophia Peabody, who were intellectuals, writers and educators in the early 19th century. The sisters’ contributions to New England culture are astonishing, not only in their depth and scope but because of the obstacles they faced.
Organizing labor unions and getting employers to treat workers fairly was a tough enough job for men, but for women it was a nearly insurmountable task. Enter “Mother Jones.” Author Elliot Gorn brings to life the story of the woman who was once known as the most dangerous in America for her refusal to knuckle under extreme pressure.
Before Gandhi practiced nonviolent resistance, there was Alice Paul. In “A Woman’s Crusade: Alice Paul and the Battle for the Ballot,” author Mary Walton uses Paul’s correspondence and newspaper coverage to bring new light to the story of a woman determined to bring suffrage to America.
She picketed, endured hunger strikes and being force fed in jail to see her dreams come to fruition under President Woodrow Wilson.
Celebrate Women’s History Month by checking out one of the many books on the brave women who have battled emotionally, mentally, and even physically to advance basic human rights.
CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public Library. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at https://www.newportbeachlibrary.org. For more information on the Central Library or any of the branches, please contact the Newport Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.