📖Amazing Women & Banned Books

Here there reader friend!

All week it’s been on my mind to share ways we can uplift other amazing women in this community. As an American, this article was written from a bit of an emotional state. I hope it resonates with you, dear reader.

Today, I want to remind us as a community of a few ways we can support women locally and here on Substack.

But first, I had to share this historical tidbit with you… did you know there was a woman who ran a presidential campaign against Ulysses S. Grant in the 1800s? She ran on the platforms of universal gender and racial equality under the law, civil service and taxation reform, and opposition to land grants given to railroads and other corporations.

Learn more about Victoria Claflin Woodhull here. (please someone write a historical fiction book about her!)

Harvard Art Museum/Fogg Museum, Historical Photographs and Special Visual Collections Department, Fine Arts Library

Support Your Local Women's Shelter Through Books

Books can be a source of escape, education, and empowerment for women in difficult situations. Many shelters welcome donations of:

• Contemporary fiction and non-fiction

• Self-help and career development books

• Children's books (many women in shelters have children with them)

Before donating, contact your local shelter to learn about their specific needs and donation guidelines.

Photo by Eli Francis on Unsplash

One of the most impactful ways to support women is by reading and sharing works by female authors.

Here are some frequently banned books by women that you should check out:

• The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison - A profound exploration of race, gender, and identity in America

• The Color Purple by Alice Walker - A powerful story of resilience and sisterhood

• The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood - A dystopian narrative that continues to resonate with current events

  

Historical Fiction About Real Women Who Changed History

• The Engineer's Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood - The remarkable story of Emily Warren Roebling, who stepped in as the first woman field engineer and helped complete the Brooklyn Bridge when her husband became too ill to work

• The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray - Chronicles the true story of Belle da Costa Greene, J.P. Morgan's librarian, who had to hide her identity as a Black woman while becoming one of the most powerful people in the art and book world

• The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict - Explores the life of Mileva Marić, Albert Einstein's first wife, and her potentially uncredited contributions to the theory of relativity

There are three of my most recommended historical fiction books about strong women.

Creating Community Spaces for Women

Supporting women is about us coming together to support the issues we care about. For me, those issues are access to all books, support for libraries, highlighting female authors, and sharing the work of other amazing creatives here in our Substack community.

Here are just a few ways to become a part of the community:

1. Join a book club focusing on female authors (check out

   Closely Reading
   who is currently sharing Pride & Prejudice with readers)

2. Enjoy writing workshops or literary events highlighting women's voices (follow

   Holly A Brown
   for fascinating history posts and writing workshops)

3. Read and share recommendations and reviews of books by women on social media and review platforms (follow

   Kolina Cicero
   for books reviews and thought-provoking posts)

4. Join The Literary Assistant community as we work together to create a space full of readers who care about highlighting our love for the library, sharing stories, and spreading positivity to the world.

   The Literary Assistant is Reader-Supported! Thank you so much for being part of this community! If you love the recommendations and would like to show your support, it means the world to me—THANK YOU! 💛

   Please note, all posts are free for everyone to enjoy. Your support helps keep this space thriving for book lovers like you! 😊 You can support my writing for only $5 a month.

   Want to learn more about Victoria Woodhull? Check out this short, but concise biography

   Affiliate links are used at no extra cost to you, but they help me earn a small amount—just enough to grab a coffee and keep writing! ☕