Women’s History Month Biographies

By Evelyn Gilbertson

March is Women's History Month! Enjoy a few picture book biographies to celebrate: 

Wilma Unlimited by Kathleen Krull

Older Children's House, Elementary Call number: B Rud 

Wilma Rudolph had scarlet fever and polio as a young girl, and the doctor thought she would never walk again. She grew up to become the fastest woman in the world! 

Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai 

Older CH, Elementary 

Call number: B You 

Autobiography of Malala, Pakistani girl who speaks out for the education of women, and who is the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. 

I Look up to Serena Williams by Anna Membrino 

Toddlers, CH 

Recounts the ways children can look up to Serena - her athleticism, confidence, work ethic and family ties. 

Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle 

Toddler, CH, Elementary 

A poem inspired by Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke the Cuban tradition that drums were only for boys and men. 


I Dissent: Ruther Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy 

Elementary 

Recounts the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, first female Jewish Supreme Court Justice.

Me... Jane by Patrick McDonnell 

Toddler, Children's House 

Tells the story of Jane as a girl and her dream to study chimps. 

Miss Mary Reporting by Sue Macy 

Elementary 

Mary Garber was a sports reporter for a Winston-Salem newspaper for many years, and began her career when most women were not respected as career women. She paved the way for future female sports reporters. 

Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller by Doreen Rappaport 

Older Children's House, Elementary 

Tells the story of Helen Keller, who learned to communicate with the help of Annie Sullivan, and went on to be an advocate for people with disabilities.

Maria Montessori by Isabel Sanchez Vegara 

CH, Elementary 

Inspiring story of Maria Montessori and how she came to develop her revolutionary educational philosophy and system. 

Rachel: the Story of Rachel Carson by Amy Ehrlich 

Elementary 

Tells the story of Rachel Carson, environmentalist, whose activism led to the banning of many dangerous chemicals in use as pesticides.