These Autobiographies Will Give You Major Appreciation for Women’s History
There are so many women to appreciate during Women’s History Month — women who have fought for women, for civil rights, for justice, for personal health and happiness. Women like Sojourner Truth, Jane Goodall, Michelle Obama and Maya Angelou. Regardless of what they stood for, one thing is certain: they were all fighting for their rightful place in this world and carving out a path for every woman to follow. The following six autobiographies will give you first-hand accounts of why women’s history and fighting for ourselves is so important:
we should all be feminists by chimamanda ngozi adichie
Based on her 2012 TED talk, this essay-memoir explores Chimamanda’s experiences with sexism and anti-feminism, learning early on that being “feminist” meant only that you were angry, bitter, vengeful. Using anecdotes from her own life and that of friends, she provides a base to stand on while she discusses gender roles and both African and worldly societies’ expectations of women in a “man’s world,” and revisits the idea of feminism, calling for reclamation of the word, redirecting everything we know to true equality.
the cancer journals by audre lorde
Known for her literature packed with feminist, lesbian and civil themes, this one is even more universal – breast cancer. About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives, and Audre was that one. In this memoir, she chronicles her experiences living with the disease, facing a change in self-image and self-esteem post-mastectomy, and moving forward. She uses the disease to help women understand not only the cancer’s significance in their lives, but the significance of their lives overall and what it means to truly be a woman.
assata by assata shakur
Assata Shakur of Black Panther fame and infamy recounts her childhood, what lead her to the Black Liberation Army and Black Panthers, and her hospitalization and incarceration that followed the death of a white police officer. With societal themes that still run rampant today, her story of a Black woman in a white man’s world is all too real. It’s also all too necessary to tell.
the meaning of mariah carey by mariah carey
As you work through this book, you can almost hear Mariah’s soft-spoken voice lifting off the pages. A blend of personal tragedies, career successes and fun anecdotes, we learn inadvertently who and why Mariah is who she is. From fundamentally broken familial settings to feeling trapped in her own marriage and home, to what inspired some of her best-known and most-overlooked songs, it becomes clear that much of her public face has been a wall of defense. But now we know why.
never in my wildest dreams by belva davis
Facing racism and sexism in a male-dominated field, Belva fought the industry and society to become the first Black female television journalist in the western United States. For almost 60 years, she’s been at the heart of not only personal struggles, but massive historical events like the Vietnam War protests, the rise and fall of the Black Panthers, Jonestown and Obama’s first election. Here, she breaks down being verbally and physically attacked, watching the world around her evolve and continuing to fight for Black America.
hunger by roxane gay
This memoir reflects on a traumatic youth event for Roxane, one that is unfortunately experienced by many children and teens. Her story explores how that event and the subsequent distress continue to shape her life through her unhealthy journey with food, abusive relationships, societal expectations and breaking through to discover what’s in store for her life on the other side of it all.
Emily Cunningham is a freelance magazine writer with a passion for animal rescue and conservation, civil and societal issues, and artistic pursuits including dance, creative writing, film studies, and handmade art.