“I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them." -Michelle Obama
I grew up in a family of strong, beautiful women. Some would say the women’s strength rivaled that of the men in my family…and I would say they are right. I was
always captivated by the stories told of the women in my family- generations of ancestors, they triumphed during times of hardship, found their purpose, and
foraged path for their descendants.
I spent majority of my childhood days, playing in the backyard of my great grandmother’s home. Her home was a sanctuary. A place where daughters and sons,
grandsons and granddaughters, could gather with the feeling of comfort and togetherness. A place, our family gathered for Sunday dinner and holidays.
My great grandmother was the matriarch of our family…and she was strength personified. A woman who found her purpose, encouraged her children to follow
their dreams. She was a nurse and cook by trade, who later pursued her dream to become a hairdresser and open a beauty salon. Later, she proudly raised powerful and intelligent women who flourished in the fields of beauty, medicine, education, leadership, as well as entrepreneurship. There is no doubt, she sparked the love of learning and storytelling within her children, and later their children.
When I think of Women’s History month, I am reminded of the history and legacy my great grandmother built within our family. Through her inspiration, support, and unwavering love I became, and will raise the future of women who dream with ambition, fortitude, and conviction.
Last month, I decided to take the rest of the year to teach my daughters about the many courageous and strong women throughout history, who have paved the way for women everywhere. Women like: Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Madam CJ Walker (my eldest’s favorite), Helen Keller, Teresa Carreno, Alma Thomas, Beatrix Potter, Effie Lee Newsome, Edna Lewis, Zaha Hadid, Georgia O’Keefe, and Guan Doasheng… and of course so many more.
Here are a few books to add to your home library or homeschool read aloud mornings to honor AMAZING women throughout history.
Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreno Played the Piano for President Lincoln by Margarita Engle
So Much More to Helen: The Passions and Pursuits of Helen Keller by Meeg Pincus
Little People Big Dreams: Harriet Tubman by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Women in Art: 50 Fearless Creatives Who Inspired the World by Rachel Ignotofsy
The is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid by Jeanette Winter
Saving the Countryside: The Story of Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit by Linda Elovitz Marshall
Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You a Pie: Story About Edna Lewis by Robbin Gourley
A Blaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas by Jeanne Walker Harvey
The Met Georgia O'Keeffe: She saw the world in a flower (What the Artist Saw) by Gabrielle Balkan
Gladiola Garden by Effie Lee Newsome
