Strong female biographies
•
Biographies
"The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon."
-Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings
Women have always played an active role in history. Explore some of the historical women and contemporary newsmakers that continue to impact the world. New biographies are added regularly, so check back to discover inspiring new stories!
Biography
Stacey Abrams
Abrams is now one of the most prominent African American female politicians in the United States.
READ MOREBiography
Jane Addams
A progressive social reformer and activist, Jane Addams was on the frontline of the settlement house movement and was the first American woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
READ MOREBiography
Toshiko Akiyoshi
Toshiko Akiyoshi changed the face of jazz music over her year career. As one of few women and Asian musicians in the jazz world, Akiyoshi infused Japanese culture, sounds, and instruments into
•
Honor Women’s History Month with your students by reading enriching biographies that will inspire all learners.
Covering a wide breadth of disciplines, eras, and reading levels, these nonfiction titles explore the grundläggande contributions women have made to history, culture, and society. From politics and science, to sports and the arts and more, the endless fields in which women have made great strides will open your students’ eyes to their achievements and legacy. They’ll also have the chance to explore the many challenges these women faced along the way.
Perfect for building lesson plans around Women’s History Month or specific eras in history, these titles will help you teach students about the value of perseverance and overcoming adversity.
For instance, I Am Ruby Bridgesshares the landmark story of one brave little girl who changed the trajectory of the Civil Rights movement and helped build a bridge between all people — told from the perspective of Ruby Bridges herself. Use t
•
The best autobiographies can feel like the key to a secret kingdom. After all, their subjects—from celebrities, to icons, to founders of huge corporations—can feel superhuman. But when they tell their story in their own words, it makes them relatable and somehow even more inspiring. By reading their words, we too can start to dream bigger and more boldly, using them as guideposts as we chase after our own goals.
It can be hard to know where to start when looking for the best autobiographies to inspire you, whether that’s in your personal or professional life. Glamour is here to help. We reached out to 20 women who inspire us—CEOs, authors, journalists, founders, influencers, and more—to ask them which women’s autobiographies have challenged them, made them dream bigger, or helped them feel more confident to carve their own paths. The list of books they provided is just as diverse and varied as the women themselves.
From the stories of icons in fashion and beauty, to a woman’s ex