Did you know that Miami, Florida was founded by a woman named Julia Tuttle? Did you know Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman on the Supreme Court? Why do I ask these questions? Because today (March 8) is International Women’s Day! This day, set aside every year since the early 1900s, is a day to celebrate women’s accomplishments all over the world. If you miss the chance to celebrate today, don’t worry, because March is Women’s History Month. In honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, the display at the Columbia Public Library on the first floor next to the children’s desk will showcase books featuring awesome women and their accomplishments. Here are a couple of great books that you may see featured on the display.
“Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine” by Laurie Wallmark is a remarkable story about a young woman who loved numbers. Despite many challenges in life, she never gave up her passion for math. Ada nicknamed herself the Bride of Science because she wanted people to understand she could be more than a wife and mother, which were the only widely accepted roles for women at the time. Because of her work, Ada is a considered the first computer programmer. In October of every year there is an Ada Lovelace Day to celebrate women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
Don’t have a particular woman you’d like to read about or need help finding more? Heather Schwartz’s “Girls Rebel! Amazing Tales of Women who Broke the Mold” highlights 64 women who dared to change social norms. The book tells the tales of women all the way back to the 1830s. Some names are famous, like Maya Angelou and Princess Diana, but many women are from non-Western countries and their stories are lesser known. If you are looking for a book that introduces the amazing feats women have accomplished throughout the world, this is the book for you!
Want to read more books about inspiring women? Check out this Rad Women book list.
