9 books to read for Women’s History Month 

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Candid’s online librarians have compiled a special collection of books by and about women. These eBooks and audiobooks examine topics such as how the gender gap in data results in scientific bias, the history and future of feminist movements at the intersection of sexism and racism, and how women’s empowerment can change the world. The selection also features titles by women leaders, including Candid CEO Ann Mei Chang. 

While the collection includes dozens of titles, here are nine essential reads: 

Addressing gender bias and inequality

The lack of data and research on women over centuries has created and perpetuated systemic bias and discrimination in the sciences and across sectors. Curated for Women’s History Month, these books examine some of the contributing factors and build the case for greater inclusion: 

• Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez. From economic development to health care to education and public policy, we rely on data to allocate resources and make crucial decisions. But “because so much data fails to take into account gender and because it treats men as the default,” argues Criado Perez, “bias and discrimination are baked into our systems.” 

• Glass Walls: Shattering the Six Gender Bias Barriers Still Holding Women Back at Work by Amy Diehl and Leanne M. Dzubinski. The researchers identify male privilege, disproportionate constraints, insufficient support, devaluation, hostility, and acquiescence as core factors behind workplace inequality and offer a framework for understanding and addressing those barriers. 

• Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong and the New Research That’s Rewriting the Story by Angela Saini. “Women are so grossly underrepresented in modern science because, for most of history, they were treated as intellectual inferiors and deliberately excluded from it,” writes Saini. “It should come as no surprise, then, that this same scientific establishment has also painted a distorted picture of the female sex.” 

Building intersectional feminist movements 

The fight for women’s rights intersects with multiple other movements for equality, yet it has not always been inclusive. If you want to learn about how feminist movements can help advance equality and justice for all communities of women, here are some titles to get you started: 

• The Everyday Feminist: The Key to Sustainable Social Impact Driving Movements We Need Now More than Ever by Latanya Mapp Frett. The work of everyday feminists—many of whom are Black, Indigenous, and other people of color—is often underfunded and their profound social impact overlooked, yet important, because they are uniquely positioned to create solutions based on lived experience. Read Philanthropy News Digest’s (PND) review. 

• Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall. “Mainstream feminists tend to disregard how race, class, sexual orientation, and ability intersect with gender. How can we stand in solidarity,” Kendall asks, “when some women likely are oppressing others?” 

• White Feminism: From the Suffragettes to Influencers and Who They Leave Behind by Koa Beck. “In a time of alleged heightened ‘feminism,’ women of color and poor women are being left behind,” writes the former editor-in-chief of Jezebel, “and yet the trappings that uniquely target us, like poverty, incarceration, police brutality, and immigration, aren’t often quantified as ‘feminist issues.’” 

Changing the world through women’s empowerment 

Investing in girls and women—their education, health, economic power, and civic participation—is critical to all areas of a healthy and sustainable society. These books demonstrate how women’s empowerment is the key to social change.  

• Who Runs the World?: Unlocking the Talent and Inventiveness of Women Everywhere by Lois Quam. The CEO of the NGO Pathfinder argues that only by addressing reproductive health can we unlock the potential of women and girls to drive advances in areas such as health care, agriculture, climate resilience, and economic development. 

• Strong Girls, Strong World: A Practical Guide to Helping Them Soar—and Creating a Better Future for Us All by Dale Hanson Bourke. An international journalist and advocate shares the ways in which so many girls in the world are disadvantaged, highlights where progress is being made―and offers simple, practical steps we can take today to help. Read the PND review. 

• The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda French Gates. “[I]f we are going to take our place as equals of men,” writes French Gates, “it won’t come from winning our rights one by one or step by step; we’ll win our rights in waves as we become empowered.” 

This Women’s History Month, take the opportunity to delve into the history and the future of women’s roles in the social sector and beyond. You can borrow these books through Candid’s library on OverDrive or on the Libby app. If you need help getting started, please read “How can I access Candid’s eBook collection?” 

Do you have a book to suggest for the collection? Let us know in the comments below.  

Browse our free, public collection of eBooks and audiobooks on other subjects, including nonprofit management, fundraising, philanthropy, and related topics. And if you have questions or need assistance navigating Candid’s educational resources, reach out to our team of online librarians via our website.