In honor of Women’s History Month, we’ve selected the most inspiring, engaging and educational titles about remarkable women throughout history. These women came from many different backgrounds and experiences, but they all made a positive change in their communities and in the world.

From picture books to poetry collections and biographies, share these titles with your students and inspire young readers all year long.

1. Shirley Chisholm Is A Verb!
by Veronica Chambers

Interest level: P-3
This picture book biography details the life of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman in Congress, who sought the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Shirley Chisholm famously said, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” She left a legacy that will inspire your students to act with conviction.

2. The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned To Read
by Rita Lorraine Hubbard 

Interest level: P-3 
Rita Lorraine Hubbard shares the inspirational story of Mary Walker, who lived from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement. Encourage your students to be lifelong learners when you share the story of her perseverance.

3. Kamala Harris: Rooted In Justice 
by Nikki Grimes

Interest level: P-3
Teach your students how the daughter of immigrants grew up to be the first woman, first Black person and first South Asian American ever elected Vice President of the United States. This gorgeous picture book biography of Kamala Harris will show kids they can be the first to accomplish incredible things.

4. Fearless Mary: The True Adventures Of Mary Fields, American Stagecoach Driver 
by Tami Charles 

Interest level: K-3
In her 60s, Mary Fields became the first African American woman stagecoach driver when she hitched a team of six horses faster than any of the cowboys. Show students how Mary’s bravery paved the way for more women and people of color to become stagecoach drivers and postal workers.  

5. Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed The World 
by Susan Hood

Interest level: K-5
Introduce the next generation of trailblazers to fourteen revolutionary young women when you share this poetic picture book with your students. Shaking Things Up pairs each historical figure with a noteworthy female artist.

6. Muslim Girls Rise: Inspirational Champions Of Our Time 
by Saira Mir

Interest level: 1-4
This nonfiction picture book spotlights nineteen powerful Muslim women who made their voices heard. The women depicted overcame obstacles to be exceptional in many arenas including sports, government, science, education and activism. Your students will surely find a heroine they can relate to.

7. The Power Of Her Pen: The Story Of Groundbreaking Ethel L. Payne
by Lesa Cline-Ransome

Interest level: 1-4
Ethel L. Payne’s exceptional journalism raised awareness about important events during the fight for Civil Rights. Teach students the value of asking powerful people tough questions when you teach them about the “First Lady of the Black Press.”

8. A Black Woman Did That: 40 Boundary-Breaking, Bar-Raising, World Changing Women
by Malaika Adero

Interest level: 3-6
Teach students more about some of their favorite Black female leaders and introduce them to some role models they may not know. This vibrant picture book spotlights both well-known historical figures and contemporary stars.

9. Finish The Fight! The Brave And Revolutionary Women Who Fought For The Right To Vote
by Veronica Chambers and the staff of The New York Times

Interest level: 3-7
While your students may have already learned about Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, there were countless women from diverse backgrounds who led the fight for suffrage. Tell the full story of some of America’s most revolutionary women alongside beautiful portrait illustrations.

10. History Smashers: Women’s Right To Vote
by Kate Messner

Interest level: 3-7
Did you know that Susan B. Anthony wasn’t even alive in 1920 when the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified? Through illustrations, graphic panels, photographs, sidebars and more, smash students’ misconceptions about the fight for women’s suffrage.

11. Anne Bonny: Pirate Queen Of The Caribbean
by Christina Leaf

Interest level: 3-8
Engage even reluctant readers with exciting, colorful illustrations and the unbelievable events of Anne Bonny’s life. Pirate enthusiasts will go wild for this attention-grabbing biography.

12. Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers
by Juliet Menendez 

Interest level: 4-8
Your middle school readers will fall in love with the hand-painted illustrations and memorable stories of 40 Latin American dreamers. Teach your students how their childhood dreams can kickstart an amazing life, whether they wish to become a singer, a NASA engineer or an activist.

13. Legacy: Women Poets Of The Harlem Renaissance 
by Nikki Grimes

Interest level: 5-9
Nikki Grimes uses “The Golden Shovel” poetic method to create original poems based on the works of groundbreaking female poets from the Harlem Renaissance. This poetry collection pairs perfectly with your poetry and history lessons.  

14. 25 Women Who Dared To Compete
by Rebecca Stanborough

Interest level: 5-9
Introduce your student-athletes to 25 women who made the phrase “playing like a girl” into something positive. These successful competitors scored points for women around the world and paved the way for the next generation of female athletes.

15. Trailblazers: 33 Women In Science Who Changed The World 
by Rachel Swaby 

Interest level: 5-12
Show your students that although no one is born a brilliant scientist, their gender has nothing to do with their ability to become one. Encourage your readers to start experimenting early when you introduce them to some of history’s most important female scientists.

16. Changing the Equation: 50+ Black Women in STEM 
by Tonya Bolden

Interest level: 5-12
Black women have changed the American STEM industry, yet many of us don’t know about the groundbreaking computer scientists, doctors, inventors and physicists who were pioneers in their fields! Introduce your readers to STEM role models and encourage the STEM leaders of tomorrow.

17. Wonderful Women Of The World
Edited by Laurie Halse Anderson 

Interest level: 7-12
An incredible group of authors and illustrators present real-world heroines in science, sports, activism, diplomacy and more. Share this anthology of contemporary Wonder Women and how they’ve changed our world with your students.

18. For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When The Rainbow Is Enuf 
by Ntozake Shange 

Interest level: 8-12
Ntozake Shange’s acclaimed “choreopoem” (poetic monologues accompanied by dance) tells the story of 7 women who have endured sexism, sexual assault, body shaming, racism and more. Share this unique mode of storytelling with your students and support your poetry and performing arts lessons.

19. Native Women Changing Their Worlds 
by Patricia J. Cutright 

Interest level: 8-12
Share the impressive accomplishments of 12 Indigenous women who strengthened their communities and overcame unimaginable hardships. Your students will be inspired by how these leaders made waves in politics, science, education and activism.

How will you use books to introduce your students to world-altering women they can look up to?