Throughout history, women have shaped art, culture, business, and society in ways that continue to inspire generations. Yet their stories are oftentimes untold or overshadowed. Read on as we shine a light on books that celebrate these remarkable contributions…works that honour women who dared to innovate, lead, and challenge the status quo. No matter your gender, they invite you to embrace your full potential and take bold steps toward positive change. Join us as we explore stories that empower, uplift, and remind us that progress begins with inspiration.
SASKATCHEWAN SUPERWOMEN: Challengers & Champions – Chancellor Emerita Dr. Vera Pezer
University of Saskatchewan Archives
Celebrating the remarkable achievements of Saskatchewan women across diverse fields, often in spaces where women were historically underrepresented. Pezer highlights leaders who overcame personal and societal challenges to pave the way for progress in gender equality. Featuring inspiring figures such as senators, Olympians, artists, educators, and advocates, the book offers a curated sample of stories and aims to spark dialogue and honor resilience, courage, and leadership.
NORMALIZE IT: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame that Shape Women’s Lives – Jessica Zucker, PhD
PESI Publishing
A powerful exploration of the cultural pressures and shame surrounding women’s experiences. Drawing on patient stories and psychological research, Zucker addresses topics such as girlhood, body image, motherhood, reproductive choices, sexual trauma, and menopause. She challenges the silence imposed on these issues and advocates for vulnerability as a path to liberation. This book empowers readers to share their truths, fostering cultural change and dismantling stigma. Normalize It is both a manifesto and a mirror, inspiring women to feel seen, heard, and validated.
COMING HOME – Brittney Griner
Knopf Canada
A powerful memoir of resilience and love. Detained in Russia under harsh conditions, Griner recounts her fight for freedom and survival. Central to her journey is the unwavering support of her wife, Cherelle, and the strength of women rallying for her release. This story celebrates women’s influence, through love, advocacy, and solidarity, while highlighting Griner’s role as a trailblazing athlete and advocate for equality, proving that courage and connection can overcome adversity.
SINCERELY, KATHERINE – Katherine Dudtschak
An inspiring memoir about authenticity, courage, and leadership. A celebrated Canadian business leader and CEO, Katherine shares her transformative journey of publicly affirming her gender at age 50…not as an act of defiance, but as a powerful statement of living truthfully. Her story explores resilience, self-discovery, and the universal quest to embrace one’s true self. Beyond her corporate success, Katherine advocates for inclusion and human rights through her work with the Incluvest Foundation. This book invites readers to step into their own power, redefine leadership, and pursue a life of purpose without limits.
EMILY CARR LIFE & WORK – Lisa Baldissera
Art Institute Canada
Emily Carr is one of Canada’s best-known artists and her life and work reflect a profound commitment to the land and peoples she knew and loved. Along with the Group of Seven, Carr became a leading figure in Canadian modern art in the early twentieth century. This book explores the artist’s trajectory from her life in Victoria, where she struggled to receive acceptance, to her status as one of Canada’s most influential female artists. It documents Carr’s resiliency and adventurous spirit, which led her to visualize depictions of the British Columbia landscape in a uniquely modern and spiritual manner. Her work became an articulation of the country’s national identity and an inspiration to subsequent generations.
SISTERS OF THE JUNGLE – Keirann McGoogan
Douglas & McIntyre
This book celebrates the women who revolutionized primatology. Since the 1970s, this field has been led by pioneers like Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, Birutė Galdikas, and Alison Jolly, who defied convention to study primates in the wild. McGoogan shares her own adventures in Belize and Madagascar while highlighting these scientists’ courage, discoveries, and impact. Their work transformed our understanding of primates (and ourselves) proving that science thrives even in the harshest conditions.
AND STILL I RISE – Maya Angelou
Penguin Random House LLC
Published during a prolific period in her career, this is a collection of 32 poems divided into three parts. The work celebrates resilience, hope, and empowerment, addressing themes such as love, racism, family, and identity. Iconic pieces like “Phenomenal Woman” and “Still I Rise” affirm strength and confidence, speaking powerfully for race and gender. Through varied topics, from aging to salvation, Angelou’s voice inspires determination to overcome adversity.
WOMEN IN THE UKRAINIAN UNDERGROUND – Olena Petrenko
McGill – Queen’s University Press
Exploring the overlooked role of women in Ukraine’s resistance against Soviet rule from 1944 to 1954 and drawing on archival records and oral histories, the book examines women’s mobilization within the OUN and UPA, their use of sexuality as power, and experiences of gendered violence. Petrenko challenges stereotypes of female insurgents and analyzes how historical narratives and cultural representations have shaped perceptions of women in the nationalist underground.
CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: Women Sharing Culture Through Cuisine – Compiled by The Women’s Place Resource Centre
Gaspereau Press Ltd.
This collection of recipes is heartfelt tribute to women’s resilience and creativity expressed through food. This collection of recipes and stories honors women as nurturers who preserve traditions, foster connection, and adapt with strength. Each dish reflects love, unity, and cultural diversity, reminding us that feminism builds bridges as well as breaks barriers. It inspires readers to celebrate women’s positive influence and carry forward their legacy of nourishment and community.
THE MILL GIRLS – Heather Barrett
Boulder Publications
The Mill Girls tells the inspiring story of young Newfoundland women who migrated to Cambridge, Ontario in the 1940s to work in textile mills. Their courage and ambition reshaped Canada’s industrial heartland, transforming its culture, economy, and gender norms. Through humor and drama, Barrett highlights how these women pioneered independence and equality long before feminism had a name, leaving an enduring legacy of empowerment and progress in Canadian society.
IN HER PLACE: Nashville Artists in the Twenty-First Century – edited by Kathryn E. Delmaz and Laura Hutson
Vanderbilt University Press
This art book celebrates the ingenuity of women artists shaping Nashville’s cultural landscape, highlighting diverse creators, from sculptors to painters, whose work challenges stereotypes and redefines Southern identity. United not by gender or geography but by innovation and resilience, these women demonstrate art’s power to subvert norms and amplify voices, proving their influence is both transformative and enduring.
SWELL – Captain Liz Clark
Patagonia
A chronicle of Captain Liz Clark’s inspiring solo journey across the seas on her sailboat, Swell. Through challenges and triumphs, Liz demonstrates resilience, courage, and the transformative power of nature. Her story celebrates women’s strength and independence, encouraging readers to pursue dreams fearlessly and nurture self-discovery. This memoir is both an adventure and a guide, inviting individuals to reflect on their connection with themselves and the world around them.
INCREDIBLE IDAHO WOMEN: 43 Inspiring Stories for All Ages – compiled by Kara Jackson and BoiseDev
BoiseDev
Join in a celebration of the remarkable contributions of women who shaped Idaho’s history and future. From pioneering settlers to modern trailblazers, these stories highlight achievements in science, sports, business, and beyond. Through vivid narratives and portraits, the book honors women’s resilience, creativity, and leadership, inspiring readers to recognize that greatness comes in many forms, and that anyone can choose to be incredible.
PIONEER GIRL: The Path Into Fiction – Nancy Tystad Koupal
South Dakota Historical Society Press
Pioneer Girl: The Path into Fiction explores Laura Ingalls Wilder’s transformation from memoirist to beloved novelist, revealing how her collaboration with her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, shaped the iconic Little House series. Through drafts and revisions, editor Nancy Tystad Koupal highlights the creative synergy between these two women, whose determination and talent turned personal stories into enduring classics. Their partnership underscores women’s pivotal role in literature, inspiring generations with resilience, creativity, and vision.
MANITOBA WOMEN IN DESIGN – Marieke Gruwel
Winnipeg Architecture Foundation
Manitoba Women in Design celebrates the overlooked contributions of women to Manitoba’s built environment throughout the twentieth century. Highlighting architects, designers, planners, and engineers, the book reveals their impact on community spaces and landmark projects. Gruwel addresses historical gender barriers while showcasing women’s resilience and creativity in shaping architecture and design. Through vivid stories and illustrations, this work honors their legacy and underscores the transformative role women play in fostering inclusive, sustainable communities.
SHE ROCKS: A Kid’s Guide to 50 Legendary Musicians – Kate Seldman
Kate Seldman’s journey began with a desire to share her love of music with her son, leading to her first book on rock legends. Now, she celebrates women’s powerful influence in music through SHE ROCKS: A Kid’s Guide to 50 Legendary Female Musicians. This vibrant sequel introduces young readers to inspiring female artists across genres, blending fascinating facts, original illustrations, and musical concepts. Kate’s work empowers kids and families to appreciate women’s creativity and lasting impact.
REDress: Art, Action, and the Power of Presence – Jaime Black-Morsette
Portage & Main Press
A powerful tribute to Indigenous women’s resilience and leadership in confronting the systemic violence of MMIWG2S (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, & Two-Spirit). Through art and storytelling, the book highlights grassroots women…mothers, sisters, and grandmothers…whose unwavering strength drives justice and healing. Centered on the REDress Project, it transforms grief into activism, reminding us that women’s voices and love are catalysts for change, inspiring collective responsibility and hope for future generations.
THE TALE OF GENJI – Murasaki Shikibu
Penguin Random House
Written in the early 11th century, The Tale of Genji is widely regarded as the world’s first novel and a landmark achievement by a woman. Composed in Japanese, a language often associated with women’s voices, it defied norms that dismissed prose and female authorship. Through its elegant narrative and poetic depth, the work vividly portrays Heian court life and the women who shaped Genji’s world, reflecting their enduring influence on culture and literature.
