Women's History Month | Metropolitan Library System

Making History

Posted on: Friday, March 30, 2018

Although I have a history degree and call myself a feminist, Women's History class was the hardest for me. Why? Because I thought our history could be summed up in one sentence: Women's lives sucked until the passage of the 19th amendment and then it got a little less sucky. But, was I wrong! I've since discovered countless stories of incredible women. Did you know one of the best WWII snipers was a Russian woman? Or realize a large female spy network was active in France during the war?

Who run the world? Girls!

Posted on: Monday, March 19, 2018

Beyonce gif of who runs the world

March is Women’s History Month so what better time to highlight some of the best written female characters in the fantasy genre? Characters that have the full range of characteristics that real-live women have, not just some one-dimensional purpose of being the love interest, jealous mean girl, or damsel in distress. Feel free to check out some of my past blogs for more recommendations and let me know what other books or series you would add to my list.

historical female pilot standing in front of a vintage airplane

Her-story

Posted on: Friday, March 16, 2018

I discovered historical fiction in the first grade. I picked out The Witch of Blackbird Pond from my school library because it sounded spooky—I’ve always been a little Wednesday Addams at heart—but I came to find out it wasn’t the pointy hats and broomsticks kind of witch, but rather the Puritans and witch trials kind. I was fascinated. And appalled. And I instantly had to tell everyone I knew about this horrifying time in our nation’s past.

Rosie the Riveter modified graphic with "We can Do it"

Dare to Dream: Celebrating Women’s History Month

Posted on: Wednesday, March 14, 2018

A few years ago, my sweet little daughter was born (alongside her fantastic twin brother). It was a moment I’d dreamed about for years, and as I lavished upon my brand new little girl her very first snuggles, I wondered what mark she’d leave on the world. Would she be an astronaut? A surgeon? A teacher? A full-time mother? An artist? A construction worker? An architect? A librarian? A collector? A spender? A saver?

Gal Pals

Posted on: Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Real friendship can be hard to capture in fiction, but a few authors have managed to pull it off. In honor of Women’s History Month, Librarian Tracy celebrates the power of "gal pals" in some of her favorite books. So dive right in to the following literary works which succeed in expressing close bonds among women.

Marion Rock, First Librarian at Carnegie Library (c. 1906 )

Women's History Month Comes to an End but Continue Celebrating with These Titles

Posted on: Friday, March 27, 2015

If you’re like me, you can’t get enough of strong, intelligent female heroines in books. (I was that person who, while reading the Divergent series, fist-pumped and hissed “YESSSSSS” like a crazy person. More than once. Often in public. #BookNerdProblems)