She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World
Chelsea Clinton, illustrations by Alexandra Boiger Philomel Books Nonfiction, CH Biography/History/Picture Book Themes: Cross-Genre, Diversity, Girl Power ****
Description
A dancer, a senator, a doctor, a judge... thirteen profiles in courage show how strong women can be.
Review
A direct challenge to recent efforts to roll back women's rights and diversity, She Persisted showcases women who refused to let the status quo hold
them back. Each entry has a brief description of how they took charge of their lives and changed the world, along with a quote. One can only hope the girls who
grow up reading this are strong enough to step up to the obstacles that current events seemed determined to place before them...
She Persisted Around the World: 13 Women Who Changed History
Chelsea Clinton, illustrations by Alexandra Boiger Philomel Books Nonfiction, CH Biography/History/Picture Book Themes: Cross-Genre, Diversity, Girl Power ****+
Description
Throughout history and around the world, societies have placed limits on girls... but some persisted against the odds. Thirteen profiles in courage and determination
show what women can do.
Review
Given recent national events (and their less-than-subtle message to my gender, that we are to shut up and not make waves because we will not be believed even when we
cry out in rage and pain), this is both a timely and timeless reminder that obstructions can be overcome and barriers broken down. Here, Clinton offers an international
selection of brave girls and women, along with inspiring quotes. It's both absurd and depressing that the message must be repeated over and over again about women being
human beings capable of the same levels of greatness as men, but apparently it must be, because those in power (and the powerless masses) seem to forget at the earliest
convenient opportunity. I can only hope that, for all the efforts to repress (even here in the "Land of Opportunity"), strong women persist in breaking through.
