The National Women’s History Project established March as the month to recognize the unique role that women have played in the history of our country, to educate and increase public awareness about women’s contribution to our society. With all the excitement lately about this year’s presidential primary race and the role women are playing in it, what better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than to add an inspiring biography to your book club’s list?
Hillary Rodham Clinton is not just the only “first lady” to be elected to the U.S. Senate, she now has a good chance to be our first female president. Carl Bernstein has written a very thorough picture of Ms. Clinton in his book A Woman in Charge: the Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton. Or why not read Hillary’s own autobiography, Living History, or one of the many other books about the former first lady. Most likely lots of heated discussions will take place about her place in women’s history, particularly as she remains at the top of the news for the next several months.
Personal History by Katharine Graham is the fascinating story of the former publisher of the Washington Post. Taking over the newspaper after her husband’s death, Ms. Graham became one of the most powerful American women of the 20th century. She became a leader in a male dominated world of business and journalism.
If your group would rather read something a little more fun, how about My Life in France by Julia Child? Julia Child really changed the way America thinks about food. The gourmet food and wine industry that we enjoy today had its basis in those fabulous cook books and her original cooking shows. This book chronicles her early years in France and how she mastered the “art of French cooking”.
One of the most intriguing women of the last century was Connecticut’s own Katharine Hepburn. Winner of four Academy awards, Hepburn was both unconventional and outspoken. She lived life by her own set of rules. Two of the more complete biographies of her are Kate: the Woman Who Was Hepburn by William Mann, and Kate Remembered by A. Scott Berg. Either one would be a good choice for a great discussion about her life.
Women’s stories need to be shared and talked about, so celebrate women’s lives and accomplishments this month. These are some of my favorite women in history. Who are some of the women that have inspired you?