Four Books Championing Women That All Young Boys Should Read

I used to think I wasn’t a feminist.  I guess I associated it with extremism or radical ideas.  But when I realized that feminism is just the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of men and women, I pinned on my feminist badge proudly.

As a feminist mom, one of my primary goals in raising my son is to abolish unhealthy, stereotypical gender-based notions.  I want my son to know that showing emotion makes him more of a man.  I want him to proudly love pink if he wants to love pink.  And I will work overtime to make sure he grows up to respect women as equals in every way, and deserving of his utmost respect, in thoughts, words, and actions.

One easy thing we parents can do is introduce not just our girls (which we should!), but also our boys—early—to books about powerful, admirable, and amazing women.  There are so, so many out there (which is awesome!), but below are four we have on our bookshelf that we love to read as a family, and Carter loves to read by himself.

1.  Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls

Rebel Girls celebrates 100 women, ranging from Jacquotte Delahaye, a renowned pirate who lived in 1640 (my son’s favorite!) to Michelle Obama, boxers to astrophysicists, and explorers to queens.  It highlights what these women have overcome, fought for, achieved, and pioneered.  Each summary is just one page, making it an approachable, digestible read, especially for new readers.

I love that this book introduces our boys to women from all around the world, throughout history, who have been powerful leaders in every field. 

2.   I Dissent

I Dissent is about the life and ascent of the notorious RBG (Ruth Bader Ginsburg) to the Supreme Court.  Justice Ginsburg grew up in the 1940s and 1950s—an era we all know is not famous for its treatment of women (or other minorities).  And yet she dissented her way through her childhood, eschewing the norms that were anything but normal, ultimately tying for first place in her law school class, in which she was one of 9 women among 500 men.

What I love most about this book is that it teaches our children that they can start forging their own path at any age.  And I love that it highlights, for our boys, specifically, a story of a woman who overcame, again and again, using her intellect and morality, to become one of the most influential and powerful figures in our democracy.

3.  She Persisted, 13 American Women Who Changed the World

Author Chelsea Clinton is probably one of the most appropriate figures to write a book like She Persisted, having witnessed her own mother’s persistence over the decades.  Like I dissent, She Persisted commemorates feminine grit.  Harriet Tubman overcoming all odds, repeatedly risking her life to lead slaves to freedom.  Sally Ride becoming the first American woman in space, and creating science and engineering programs geared toward helping young women achieve their dreams.  And similar to Rebel Girls, each profile is just one bite-sized page, so it’s an easy (albeit powerful) read. 

4.  Sofia Valdez, Future Prez

You may be familiar with Andrea Beaty’s other books (Iggy Peck, Architect; Rosie Revere, Engineer; Ada Twist, Scientist), which are all inspiring.  They, like Sofia Valdez, focus on the lofty dreams of one child, and how that child takes steps toward achieving those dreams, even in the face of discouragement or difficulty.  And determination is something all of our kids need, right?  Sofia Valdez is a little girl who sees a need in her community (replacing a hazardous dump with a park), builds a grassroots movement among her neighbors, petitions her local leaders, and effectuates change. 

I love that this book– and the series–teaches our kids that even they, at their tender ages, are significant, and can have an impact.  I also love that the title of this book contemplates a female president, which is something we have yet to see, but hopefully our boys will grow up expecting, in small part, because of books like this.

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These books are all really similar in that they highlight amazing women, but they do so with different styles.  Ultimately, I think the more we can expose our boys (as well as our girls) to stories of strong, determined, fabulous women, the more likely they will grow into men who don’t see such women as the exception, but the norm. 

So here’s to you, and all the other feminist moms and dads out there championing the issue of women’s rights by raising a generation of young men who respect, admire, and support women!