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!)

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.
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:
Join a book club focusing on female authors (check out
who is currently sharing Pride & Prejudice with readers)Enjoy writing workshops or literary events highlighting women's voices (follow
for fascinating history posts and writing workshops)Read and share recommendations and reviews of books by women on social media and review platforms (follow
for books reviews and thought-provoking posts)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! ☕
I have read both the Personal Librarian and The Other Einstein. Both great books. I have also been to the JP Morgan library in NYC where they currently have a whole exhibit on Belle De Costa Greene which was fascinating. I highly recommend Marie Benedict books as she concentrates of women in history that have been forgotten or not given their dues for their accomplishments. The Only Woman in the Room was a great book about Hedy Lamar who was definitely much more than a pretty face..
Thank you for this interesting post! Many moons ago, I tried to write a novel about Victoria Woodull. I did so much research about her and her strange family, their involvement with Cornelius Vanderbilt, Henry Ward Beecher, etc., and the tumultuous post-Civil War era. It was all fascinating but a novelist I'm not; I don't have an ear for dialogue. There are quite a few nonfiction books about Victoria and her sister Tennessee, including Other Powers, The Scarlett Sisters, and Scandalous. She was, to put it mildly, complicated ...