Feel Empowered by Reading Books About Women Today!

Words are mighty and can inspire change. Stories about strong women show this. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, there’s a young girl named Scout Finch—she learns crucial things about fairness and bravery from her dad, who is a lawyer. Scout’s story shows us that girls can be strong and make a difference, even when the world around them tries to hold them back. 

This is just one way that books about being a woman can empower you. Reading about other women’s experiences can help us fight against unfair treatment. Let’s learn more about this.  

How Can Reading About Women Fight Gender Oppression? 

Why does it sometimes make you think or feel changed when you read something? Is it just because of the words on a page?  

Here are some reasons why: 

1. Understanding the System

Understanding the insights offered by literature that delves into the systems of patriarchy and sexism is crucial. These societal structures have persisted for generations, often resulting in disadvantages for women.   

Like pro-women keynote speakers in Australia, they also work towards deconstructing and ultimately dismantling them, creating a more equitable society for all. 

2. Finding Inspiration

Throughout fictional and non-fictional narratives, we often encounter potent stories of women who triumph over adversity, break through barriers, and make their mark on the world. These stories serve as a source of empowerment for readers, motivating them to confront limitations and steadfastly pursue their aspirations. 

3. Building Solidarity

Exploring the stories of women from various backgrounds, cultures, and experiences can significantly enhance our ability to empathise and understand. Like how survivor guest speakers in Australia immerse us in their narratives, we can recognise aspects of our lives within their challenges and victories, fostering a connection that builds a strong sense of community. 

Carolyn Pethick’s Memoir—To Hell and Back (A Policewoman Story) 

When it comes to books about being a woman, no one tells it more authentically than someone who has been through significant challenges. Carolyn Pethick’s book “To Hell and Back” is a powerful example. This story is about a female police officer who worked in the Victoria Police Force from the early 1980s.  

It talked about her experiences of being mistreated, falsely accused, and having her reputation attacked. It portrayed women’s difficulties in a primarily male profession, bringing attention to the sexism and bullying that can happen in these workplaces. The author shared her struggles to stay strong and keep doing her job in the face of these challenges. 

Overall, the author’s story is about being strong and not giving up, and it’s likely to encourage other women to think about working in the police force. 

8 Books About Women  

Not only Carolyn Pethick’s book, but there are a lot of fantastic books, both classic and recent, that celebrate the power of women, and here are some of them: 

1. Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women in the World by Nicholas Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn

This book talks about the issue of global gender inequality. It doesn’t hold back from showing the brutal realities faced by women all over the world, like not being able to go to school, find good jobs, or make decisions about their bodies.  

This book about being a woman also discusses how amazing things can happen when women are part of the economy. By sharing success stories and telling the stories of incredible women making a difference, Kristof and WuDunn explain that supporting women isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also an intelligent way to reduce poverty and help the world grow. 

2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Jane Austen’s famous book is about a wise and strong woman named Elizabeth Bennet who challenges how society thought women should act a long time ago. A joint advocacy of keynote speaker in Australia—I write my destiny. Instead of caring about money or status, Elizabeth wants to find love with someone who respects her and shares her smarts.   

The book shows us that women can be clever and independent, making decisions about love and life and being in charge of their futures. 

3. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Chinua Achebe’s famous novel Things Fall Apart doesn’t only focus on women; it also gives us important ideas about how colonialism changed the traditional roles of men and women in a Nigerian village.   

When the British arrived, they upset the village’s social order, including how women were expected to behave. The same way Carolyn Pethick, a guest keynote speaker in Australia, was sexually discriminated against. This book helps start conversations about how different kinds of unfair treatment are connected.   

Achebe wants us to consider how colonialism affected women’s roles and other parts of society.  

4. We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s book “We Should All Be Feminists” talks about how feminism is not about women overpowering men but about creating a fair and equal society where everyone can thrive. She encourages everyone, including men, to support feminism and understand how traditional gender roles can hold both men and women back. 

5.  Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In is a helpful guide for women facing work challenges. It offers practical tips on how to gain confidence, speak up for yourself, and reach your career goals.   

Similar to the advocacies of a pro-woman guest speaker in Australia, it’s a valuable resource for women looking to overcome obstacles and succeed in their careers. 

6.  Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

This book, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, is a powerful story that goes beyond just growing up. It’s set during the Iranian Revolution and uses striking black-and-white drawings to tell the story of a young girl named Marji. As Marji grows up, we see significant changes happening in Iran.   

Marji’s experiences show how strong and resilient women can be, even in difficult times. The book highlights the strength and bravery of women during a time of significant historical changes. 

7.  Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Commonly used by keynote speakers in Australia and other places, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s fantastic book, Americanah, tells the story of Ifemelu, a young woman from Nigeria who moves to the United States.  

The book discusses themes like culture, identity, and gender roles as Ifemelu tries to figure out what it means to be Nigerian while living in America. It also explores how her experiences in a new country change how she sees herself and her home.  

Love, loss, and the challenges of living between two cultures are essential parts of the story, showing a detailed picture of a strong and independent woman, like a once survivor now a keynote speaker in Australia.  

8.  Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Yaa Gyasi’s novel Homegoing is a powerful story that covers many years and places. It’s about the lives of two sisters who were separated when they were young. 

This book about being a woman shows how they were affected by slavery and colonialism. Even though they faced a lot of pain and hardship, the book also highlights the strong, resilient, and loving parts of their lives. Homegoing is a moving story about family and the human spirit.

Be Inspired with Books About Being a Woman! 

Everyone has the power to discover excellent books and join the movement to empower women. So, make yourself comfortable, grab a nice drink, and dive into a good book.  

Remember, every reader becomes a warrior, armed with knowledge and inspiration to fight for a fairer and more equal world. Let Carolyn Pethick ignite your advocacy more!