International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25)

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Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls (2016) features one hundred short-biographies of extraordinary women—from scientists and artists to activists and athletes—presented as “true fairy-tales where women are the heroes of their own stories”. The book is richly illustrated by sixty female artists from around the world and highlights figures ranging from Ada Lovelace to Malala Yousafzai, with the aim of giving children a broader vision of what girls can become. 

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Extraordinary Women Athletes – Judy L. Hasday (2000) highlighting struggles, victories, and the evolving role of women in sports. It explores how these athletes broke gender and cultural barriers, achieved remarkable feats in disciplines ranging from tennis and track to baseball and basketball, and often reshaped public perceptions of women’s athleticism. It argues that understanding these women’s stories is essential not only for sports history but for appreciating wider social change.

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A Greater Goal: The Epic Battle for Equal Pay in Women’s Soccer—and Beyond (2024) chronicles the decades-long fight of the United States Women’s National Soccer Team for fair compensation, recognition, and respect in the world of professional sport. It interweaves dramatic match-moments, legal battles, and behind-the-scenes struggles to portray how the team leveraged their collective voice to challenge inequalities. Through vivid storytelling, the book highlights how sports become a forum for broader issues of gender equity, labor rights, and cultural change. The narrative shows both the victories and the setbacks, emphasising how persistence and solidarity can shift systems built on resistance.

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Rad Women Worldwide (2016) celebrates the stories of 40 extraordinary women from across the globe who shaped history through courage, creativity, and resistance. It highlights lesser-known figures alongside iconic leaders, showing the diverse ways women have changed their communities and the world. Through short, engaging profiles and bold illustrations, it offers an accessible entry point into global feminist history. The book emphasizes activism, resilience, and the power of individual voices in driving social progress.

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 the moon : the untold story of the first women in the space race (2002) recounts the efforts of the “Mercury 13,” a group of highly skilled women pilots who underwent astronaut testing in the early days of NASA. It reveals how, despite meeting or surpassing many of the men’s results, these women were denied the chance to go to space due to institutional sexism and political pressures. Through detailed reporting and personal narratives, the book highlights both their accomplishments and the barriers they faced. It also situates their story within the broader struggle for gender equality in science and aviation.

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Singled out : how two million British women survived without men after the First World War (2007) explores the lives of the surplus two million British women who found themselves without expected husbands after the massive casualties of World War I. It shows how these women navigated new social expectations, forging careers, friendships, and independent identities in a society unprepared for their changing roles. Through personal stories and historical detail, it illustrates both the challenges they faced and the freedoms they discovered. 

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Free? Stories About Human Rights (2010) presents fourteen short stories inspired by the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It uses fiction to illuminate the everyday realities of injustice, inequality, and resilience around the world. Through diverse voices and narrative styles, the book highlights how human rights shape—and are sometimes denied in—ordinary lives. It encourages readers to reflect on global responsibility and the continued relevance of human rights today.

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Women’s Rights: A Global View  (2001) examines the status of women’s rights across different countries, highlighting the cultural, political, and legal factors that shape women’s lives worldwide. It provides case studies that reveal both progress and persistent inequalities in areas such as education, health, labor, and political participation. The authors explore how grassroots activism and international movements have pushed for change despite significant obstacles. 

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Lads: A Guide to Respect and Consent (2023) offers a practical and accessible guide for boys and young men on building healthy relationships grounded in respect and empathy. It addresses topics such as consent, boundaries, communication, and emotional awareness in a clear and nonjudgmental way. Through real-life examples and relatable scenarios, it helps readers understand how their actions impact others. The book encourages positive masculinity and responsible behavior in everyday situations.

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The Beauty Myth  (1990) argues that as women gained social and political power, cultural pressures surrounding beauty intensified to restrict their freedom. It examines how industries—from media to fashion to advertising—perpetuate unrealistic standards that undermine women’s confidence and autonomy. Through analysis and case studies, the book reveals how beauty ideals function as a form of social control. It challenges readers to reconsider the narratives that shape women’s relationships with their bodies. 

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Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women (1995) explores the lives of Muslim women across the Middle East as seen through the author’s years as a foreign correspondent. It reveals how culture, religion, and politics intersect to shape women’s daily experiences and the expectations placed upon them. Through personal interviews and on-the-ground reporting, it highlights both oppression and resilience within diverse communities. The book challenges Western stereotypes by portraying the complexity and individuality of the women it features.

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Violence Against Women (1994) examines the many forms of violence that women face worldwide, including domestic abuse, sexual assault, and systemic discrimination. It analyzes how cultural norms, legal frameworks, and power imbalances allow such violence to persist across societies. Through research and case studies, the book highlights both the personal and societal costs of gender-based violence. It also underscores the need for comprehensive prevention strategies and stronger protections for women’s rights.

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Women in the Middle East: Tradition and Change (1993) provides an overview of the historical, cultural, and political forces that have shaped women’s roles across the Middle East. It examines how traditions, religious interpretations, and social structures influence women’s status in different countries. Through comparative case studies, it highlights both enduring constraints and the significant reforms and activism that have emerged in recent decades. The book emphasizes the diversity of women’s experiences and the dynamic nature of social change in the region.

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The Women of Afghanistan Under the Taliban (2002) documents the harsh restrictions imposed on Afghan women during the Taliban’s rule, detailing how their rights, movement, education, and employment were severely curtailed. It draws on reports, interviews, and historical context to show how gender-based oppression became embedded in daily life. Through clear analysis, it highlights the psychological, social, and economic impacts of these policies on women and their families. The book also examines international responses and the broader struggle for women’s rights in Afghanistan.

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Female Tommies, The Frontline Women of the First World War (2014) explores how women from various nations served at or near the front lines during the First World War, using their diaries, letters and memoirs to bring out the stories of those who donned uniforms, and sometimes arms, and defied conventional gender roles. The book argues that the involvement of these women marks a significant shift in the demographics and perception of warfare and of women’s roles within it.

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The World Wars Through the Female Gaze (1998) analyses how women writers and photographers during the two world wars (1915-1945) — including Edith Wharton, Mildred Aldrich, Martha Gellhorn, Lee Miller, H.D. and Gertrude Stein — observed, depicted and represented war through a gendered “gaze”, examining how vision, war, gender and media intersect.

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Night Witches at War: The Soviet Women Pilots of World War II (2024)

tells the story of the all-female Soviet air regiments whose pilots flew daring nighttime bombing missions against Nazi forces. It highlights the extraordinary bravery, skill, and determination of the young women who operated outdated planes under extremely dangerous conditions. Through historical detail and personal accounts, the book shows how these pilots earned both fear and respect from their enemies. It also explores the broader context of women’s military service in the USSR during the war.

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Women in European History (2002) offers a comprehensive overview of women’s roles and experiences in Europe from the Middle Ages to the modern era. It examines how social structures, political change, and economic developments shaped women’s opportunities and limitations across different regions and periods. Through thematic analysis, it highlights patterns of inequality as well as the diverse forms of resistance and agency women exercised. The book situates women at the center of major historical transformations, challenging traditional narratives of European history.

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Women in Nazi Germany (2001) examines how the Nazi regime shaped and controlled women’s lives through ideology, propaganda, and social policy. It shows how women were pushed into roles as mothers, homemakers, and supporters of the racial state, while also revealing the contradictions in Nazi policies that relied on women’s labor during wartime. Through case studies and archival research, the book highlights both women’s participation in and resistance to the regime. It provides a nuanced look at how ordinary women navigated life under a totalitarian system.

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Women of the French Revolution (1987) explores how women were both active participants in and profoundly affected by the French Revolution, tracing their roles from the opening protests in 1789 through the rise of the Republic and into the age of Napoleon. It shows how women appeared in the streets and salons of revolutionary Paris, taking up petitions, marching for bread and for citizenship, and sometimes paying the ultimate price. Despite their contributions, the revolutionary regime eventually re-enforced traditional gender norms and barred women from full political participation. Through a mix of biographical portraits and social analysis, the author highlights how the Revolution opened possibilities but also entrenched new forms of exclusion.

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Women’s Suffrage in America (1992) traces the long struggle for women’s voting rights in the United States, from early activism in the 19th century to the final victory of the 19th Amendment in 1920. It highlights the strategies, setbacks, and internal debates that shaped the suffrage movement across decades. Through historical documents and narrative explanation, the book shows how grassroots organizing, public protest, and persistent advocacy ultimately transformed American democracy. It also illustrates the diverse coalition of women—across regions, classes, and backgrounds—who fought for political equality.

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The War from Within: German Working-Class Women in the First World War (1996) examines how German working-class women experienced and endured the profound social and economic upheavals brought on by World War I. It shows how women navigated factory labor, food shortages, and political unrest while maintaining families and communities under extreme strain. Through archival research and personal accounts, the book highlights both their resilience and the gendered burdens of total war. It also reveals how these experiences shaped postwar social tensions and women’s roles in German society.

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The Biographical Dictionary of Women in Science, Volume 2: L–Z, [Indexes]: Pioneering Lives from Ancient Times to the Mid-20th Century (2000) presents detailed biographies of women scientists whose last names fall between L and Z, highlighting their contributions across fields such as physics, medicine, biology, and engineering. It offers historical context that shows how these women pursued scientific work despite social, educational, and institutional barriers. Through concise entries, it documents their achievements, discoveries, and the impact of their research on the development of modern science. The book also includes indexes that make it a valuable resource for research, teaching, and historical study.