Special Collection
 


Women's History

Pioneering women who led and won struggles for equality and civil rights; created and advanced educational and professional opportunities; and made great contributions to the arts, sciences and humanistic causes are honored each year during the month of March—Women's History Month. The Canton Public Library offers year-round access to a wide variety of resources highlighting the accomplishments and achievements of women. This Special Collection provides an overview of those materials.


Books: Reference

Books: American History

Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation by Cokie Roberts (2004): The author brings to light the stories of the women who fought the Revolution as valiantly as the men, sometimes even defending their very doorsteps from British occupation. The book brings to life the everyday trials, extraordinary triumphs, and often surprising stories of Abigail Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, Deborah Reed Franklin, Eliza Pinckney, Martha Washington, and other patriotic and passionate women, each of whom played a role in raising our nation.

Glory, Passion, and Principle: The Story of Eight Remarkable Women at the Core of the American Revolution by Melissa Lukeman Bohrer (2003): The story of eight incredible women, each deprived of formal education, world travel or equal status, who all managed to flourish against incredible odds. Each chapter features a different woman, each of whom helped found our nation with courage, sacrifice and intellect equal to any of the famed male politicians of 1776: Abigal Adams, Nancy Ward, Sybil Ludington, Mollie Pitcher, Deborah Sampson, Phillis Wheatley, Mercy Otis Warren and Lydia Darragh.

More Colonial Women: 25 Pioneers of Early America by Carole Chandler Waldrup (2004): Presents brief biographies of 25 colonial women who contributed to the development of the United States. Women profiled include Lucy Winthrop Downing (who lobbied for the establishment of Harvard College) and Mary Katherine Goddard (who owned and operated a profitable printing business).

Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence by Carol Berkin (2005): Explores women's roles in creating a new nation during the American Revolution and its aftermath, as revealed in the words and actions of individual women. The accounts include well-known figures—Abigail Adams, Deborah Franklin, Lucy Knox, Martha Washington—as well as ordinary white, Native American and African American women taking care of their families; keeping farms and shops; and boycotting British-manufactured goods.

A Thousand Years Over a Hot Stove: A History of American Women Told Through Food, Recipes and Remembrances by Laura Schenone (2003): Starting with personal reminiscences, this unusual history traces women's roles relating to cooking, from prehistory to the age of the new vegetarian diet and Julia Child. Includes vintage illustrations, recipes (some of which helped win the West and war), a multidisciplinary bibliography, and resources.

What Every American Should Know About Women’s History: 200 Events That Shaped Our Destiny by Christine Lunardini (1994): From Anne Hutchinson to Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Betty Friedan, American women have been at the forefront of the battle to extend the benefits of liberty to all Americans. The 200 key events featured range from early colonial times to our own century, covering such issues as work, family life, social reform and equal rights.

Women’s Early American Historical Narratives edited by Sharon M. Harris (2003): In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, many women began to write historical analysis, taking on an essential role in defining the new American Republicanism. The writings in this collection employ a range of approaches: reportage, poetical narratives, travel writing, drama, and accounts designed to promote critical thinking—training women rarely received through traditional education.

Women’s Letters: America From the Revolutionary War to the Present edited by Lisa Grunwald & Stephen J. Adler (2005): Historical events of the last three centuries come alive through these women's correspondences—often their only form of public expression. The letters gathered here offer fresh insight into the personal milestones in women's lives. With more than 400 letters and over 100 photographs, this work is one of astonishing breadth and scope, and a testament to the women who lived—and made—history.

Books: Women on the American Frontier

Gold Rush Women by Claire Rudolf Murphy and Jane G. Haigh (1997): The riveting stories of adventurous women—miners, madams, merchants and mothers—who went North during the gold rush era.

Home on the Range: A Culinary History of the American West by Cathy Luchetti (1993): A chronicle of the roots of American frontier cooking, in anecdotes, pioneer writing and vintage photographs

So Much to Be Done: Women Settlers on the Mining and Ranching Frontier edited by Ruth B. Moynihan and Christine F. Dichamp (1989): A collection of 19 narratives of 19th century pioneer women responding to the challenges of frontier hardships.

Women of the West by Cathy Luchetti (1992): A myth-shattering look at the women who helped to settle the West, told through their own words and illustrated with 150 period photographs.

Woman on the American Frontier: A Valuable and Authentic History of the Heroism, Adventures, Privations, Captivities, Trials and Noble Lives and Deaths of the Pioneer Mothers of the Republic by William Fowler (1878): In this reprint of the 1878 edition, the author describes his work as “A valuable and authentic history of the heroism, adventures, privations, captivities, trials, and noble lives and deaths of the pioneer mothers of the Republic."

Books: Michigan Women

Birchbark Belles: Women on the Michigan Frontier edited by Larry B. Massie (1993): The stories of 31 diverse women of the Michigan frontier—from 1824 Detroit to 1868 Benzie County.

Historic Women of Michigan: A Sesquicentennial Celebration edited by Rosalie Riegle Troester (1987): Biographical essays of nominees and honorees in the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame. Includes Sojourner Truth, Harriet Arnow and Marguerite de Angeli.

Michigan Women Firsts and Founders by Rachel Brett Harley and Betty MacDowell (1992): Brief biographical information of Michigan women pioneers in their fields, including aviation, science, law, labor, education and medicine.

Books: African American Women

Africana Woman: Her Story Through Time by Cynthia Jacobs Carter (2003): Celebrates the courage, commitment, and accomplishments that link the daughters of Africa in a 3,500-year heritage, from ancient queens to the modern Black woman. Includes the female Pharoah Hatshepsut, the fabled Queen of Sheba, as well as Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Madam C.J. Walker and Rosa Parks.

Creating Their Own Image: The History of African-American Women Artists by Lisa E. Farrington (2005): The first comprehensive history of African-American women artists, from slavery to the present day.

Epic Lives: One Hundred Black Women Who Made a Difference by Jessie Carney (1993): This collection of short biographies illuminates the achievements of women who have made an indelible imprint in the lives of those they touched. Includes Maya Angelou, Ida B Wells Barnett, Mary McLeod Bethune, Bessie Coleman, Marian Wright Edelman, Althea Gibson, Lorraine Hansberry, Barbara Jordan, Coretta Scott King, Wilma Rudolph, Harriet Tubman and many more.

Fifty Black Women Who Changed America by Amy Alexander (1999): From Harriet Tubman to Oprah Winfrey, vivid detailed portraits tell the story of each woman's personal journey and contribution to society.

Freedom’s Daughters: The Unsung Heroines of the Civil Rights Movement From 1830 to 1970 by Lynne Olsen (2001): The first comprehensive history of the role of women in the civil rights movement. From the Montgomery bus boycott to the lunch counter sit-ins to the Freedom Rides, this work tells the long overlooked story of the extraordinary women, both black and white, who were among the most fearless, resourceful, and tenacious leaders of the civil rights movement.

A Shining Thread of Hope: The History of Black Women in America by Darlene Clark Hine and Kathleen Thompson (1998): This inspiring, lively, well-written and accessible history conveys the plight and pluck of African American women from their arrival at Jamestown, VA, in 1619, to what the authors describe as a new era at the dawn of the year 2000.

We Specialize in the Wholly Impossible: A Reader in Black Women's History edited by Darlene Clark Hine, Wilma King and Linda Reed (1995): A collection of 32 scholarly but fully accessible essays on different aspects of African-American (including Canadian and Caribbean) women's experiences and accomplishments in the diaspora.

Books: Women’s Suffrage

One Woman, One Vote: Rediscovering the Woman Suffrage Movement edited by Marjorie Spruill Wheeler (1995): The companion book to the PBS Documentary by the same name, this anthology is the most comprehensive collection of writings—contemporary and historical—on the woman suffrage movement in America. It includes essays by the most prominent contemporary historians who write on the topic, as well as some fascinating historical pieces written by women in the suffrage movement during the 19th century.

Women’s Suffrage in America: An Eyewitness History by Elizabeth Frost and Kathryn Cullen-DuPont (1992): Chronicles the struggle of American women for the right to vote, from 1800 to their victory in 1920. Includes quotations from contemporary witnesses through memoirs, letters and other documents of the period.

Book: Women in Politics

Women Chosen for Public Office by Isobel V. Morin (1995): Nine profiles of women involved in the federal government, including Dorothea Dix, Frances Perkins and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Books: Women in Science

American Women Conservationists: Twelve Profiles by Madelyn Holmes (2004): Biographies of a dozen women who helped change Americans' relationship with the natural environment. These pioneers range from Mary Austin, who wrote about the California desert in the early 1900s, to contemporary conservationists impacted by Rachel Carson.

Medicine Women: The Story of Early-American Women Doctors by Cathy Luchetti (1998): The early-American female doctor comes vividly to life through her own writings, which have been incorporated into this book The stories of these medical pioneers are accompanied by more than 50 stunning photographs.

The Mercury 13: The Untold Story of Thirteen American Women and the Dream of Space Flight by Martha Ackmann (2003): In 1961, just as NASA launched its first man into space, a group of women underwent secret testing in the hopes of becoming America’s first female astronauts. Although they passed the same battery of tests as did the Mercury 7 astronauts, they were summarily dismissed by the boys’ club at NASA and on Capitol Hill. The USSR sent its first woman into space in 1963; the United States did not follow suit for another 20 years. This the story of the dramatic events surrounding these 13 remarkable women, all crackerjack pilots and patriots who sometimes sacrificed jobs and marriages for a chance to participate in America’s space race against the Soviet Union.

Nobel Prize Women in Science: Their Lives, Struggles and Momentous Discoveries by Sharon M. Bertsch McGrayne (1992): Exploring the reasons why only nine of the more than 300 recipients of the Nobel Prize in science have been women, science writer McGrayne examines the lives and achievements of 14 women scientists who either won a Nobel Prize or played a crucial role in a Nobel Prize-winning project.

Pandora’s Breeches: Women, Science and Power in the Enlightenment by Patricia Fara (2004): “Had God intended Women merely as a finer sort of cattle, he would not have made them reasonable." Writing in 1673, Bathsua Makin was one of the first women to insist that girls should receive a scientific education. Despite the efforts of Makin and her successors, women were excluded from universities until the end of the 19th century, yet they found other ways to participate in scientific projects. The author investigates how women contributed to scientific progress by collaborating in home-based research; corresponding with internationally renowned scholars; publishing their own books; and translating and simplifying important texts, such as Newton's book on gravity.

Books: Women in Sports

The Girls of Summer: The U.S. Women's Soccer Team and How It Changed the World by Jere Longman (2001): The author takes a serious, compelling look at the women who won the 1999 World Cup.

Nike is a Goddess: The History of Women in Sports edited by Lissa Smith (1998): Female sportswriters present 13 narratives—each on a particular sport and focusing on top female athletes such as Babe Didrickson Zaharias, Billie Jean King, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Sheryl Swoopes. Sports covered include kayaking, equestrian sports, soccer and ice hockey, as well as tennis, golf and swimming.

When Women Played Hardball by Susan E. Johnson (1994): The story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League which flourished between 1943 and 1954. With skill and style, more than 500 women took to the baseball diamonds of the Midwest, dazzling fans and becoming a visible part of our national pastime.

Women at Play: The Story of Women in Baseball by Barbara Gregorich (1993): Soon after professional baseball started up in 1869, women formed "base ball clubs" and—wearing heavy stockings and striped, shortened dresses—challenged men's teams across the country. In 1943 the first and only women's professional baseball league was born when nearly 600 women, all of them skilled athletes, earned a living by playing on all-female baseball teams in the All-American Girls Baseball League. Includes interviews with many of the women who made baseball history.

Women Who Win: Stories of Triumph in Sport and in Life by Christina Lessa (1998): The stories of pioneering women athletes, from Olympic gold-medal-winning skater Peggy Fleming to basketball powerhouse Teresa Edwards.

Books: Women in the Military

All the Daring of the Soldier: Women of the Civil War Armies by Elizabeth D. Leonard (1999): A fascinating account of women who defied convention to do battle for their cause. During the Civil War, women worked as spies and sometimes disguised themselves as male soldiers to play an heroic part in the conflict.

American Women in World War I: They Also Served by Lettie Gavin (1997): Recounts the role of U.S. women in military and relief efforts at home and abroad. Drawing heavily from interviews, diaries, letters and memoirs, this work describes service in the Navy, Marines, Signal Corp, Red Cross, Salvation Army, YMCA, and as Army Nurses, reconstruction aides and physicians.

Masquerade: The Life and Times of Deborah Sampson, Continental Soldier by Alfred F. Young (2004): The remarkable story of the woman who fought in the American Revolution as Robert Shurtliff—and got away with it. Serving for 17 months during the period between the British surrender at Yorktown and the signing of the final treaty, a time when peace was far from secure, Deborah Sampson accomplished her deception by becoming an outstanding soldier.

Patriots in Disguise: Women Warriors of the Civil War by Richard Hall (1993): The author draws upon diaries, letters and other documents to tell about the women who dressed as men and served as soldiers, including those whose exploits became well known as well as others who were lesser known or merely suspected.

They Also Served: American Women in World War II by Olga Gruhzit-Hoyt (1995): Thousands of American women joined military and civilian agencies to serve their country during WWII. Some worked under dangerous conditions, but most held routine jobs such as office worker and truck driver. Here the author presents the stories of those women who saw duty with the Army Nurse Corps, Women's Army Corps, Navy WAVES, Marine Corps Women's Reserves and the Coast Guard SPARS.

They Fought Like Demons: Women Soldiers in the American Civil War by DeAnne Blanton and Lauren M. Cook (2002): At least 250 women served disguised as men-in the ranks of both North and South during the Civil War. The authors reconstruct the reasons why women entered the armed forces, and detail women soldiers in combat, on the march and in camp.

Women Pilots of World War II by Jean Hascall Cole (1992): Collected by one of the 49 members of class 44-W-2 (one of 18 classes of women to graduate from the Army Air Forces flight training school during WWII), Cole's interviews with her former classmates document their contribution to the history of women, aviation and the military.

Women Warriors: A History by David E. Jones (1997): An anthropologist tells the history of women in battle, from Cleopatra and Joan of Arc to Thusnelda, the Teutonic warrior, and the 20th century's Ming Khai.

Books: Pioneering Women

Amelia Earhart’s Daughters: The Wild and Glorious Story of American Women Aviators From World War II to the Dawn of the Space Age by Leslie Haynsworth and David Toomey (1998): In 1942, with war raging on two fronts and military pilots in short supply, the U.S. Army Air Force enlisted a handful of skilled female aviators to deliver military planes from factories to air bases, expanding the successful program to include more than one thousand women. These superb pilots flew every aircraft in the U.S. Army Air Force—including B-26s when men were afraid to—logging more than six million miles in all kinds of weather.

American Women in the Progressive Era, 1900-1920 by Dorothy Schneider (1993): A social history drawn from primary sources, describing the domestic lives of ordinary women, as well as their working lives both in and out of the home, during a period of massive immigration, industrialization and urbanization that culminated in the passage of the 19th Amendment which gave American women the right to vote.

Cultural Crusaders: Women Librarians in the American West, 1900-1917 by Joanne E. Passet (1994): "I have found just the work for me, for I love it more all the time". Thus wrote one of several hundred professionally trained women who carried the gospel of books and libraries throughout the West during the early 20th century. Pioneers in a profession, they regarded the West as a fertile field for their cultural crusade and established traveling libraries in rural areas, participated in community-building activities, and professionalized existing public and academic libraries. The author uses extensive archival material to provide a picture of the women librarians' experiences.

Enterprising Women: 250 years of American Business by Virginia G. Drachman (2002): A diverse group of women’s lives unfold in this engaging history of women entrepreneurs in America from the colonial era to the end of the 20th century.

The Fifty Most Influential Women in American Law by Dawn Bradley Berry (1996): Biographies of important, colorful and intelligent women who changed the face of America's justice system. Includes Margaret Chase Smith, Shirley Chisholm, Geraldine Ferraro, Marian Wright Edelman, Barbara Jordan, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sandra Day O’Connor.

Ladybirds: The Untold Story of Women Pilots in America by Henry M. Holden (1991): A history of the women who played a major role in the history of American aviation, from the barnstorming era and into the 1930s.

Legends: Women Who Have Changed the World Through the Eyes of Great Women Writers edited by J. Miller (1998): Using prose and photography, contemporary women artists and writers celebrate the courageous women whose work and lives continue to inspire, including Rachel Carson, Princess Diana, Jackie Onassis and Georgia O'Keeffe.

Lighting the Way: Nine Women Who Changed Modern America by Karenna Gore Schiff (2005): The author captures the lives of nine extraordinary women whose impact on contemporary America resonates today, and chronicles how these remarkable women worked behind the scenes and against the odds in the major political movements of the last century. The stories collected included the triumph of women's suffrage, the decision to enter World War II, the struggle for civil rights, and the effort to address the AIDS crisis.

The 100 Most Influential Women of All Time: A Ranking Past and Present by Deborah G. Felder (1995): This ranking of the most influential women was compiled with the aid of women's studies professors and chairs from leading U.S. universities. Choices range from the instantly recognizable to the virtually unknown in all fields of social reform, politics, literature and entertainment.

100 Most Important Women of the 20th Century by Kevin Markey (1998): This profusely illustrated celebration of extraordinary 20th century women highlights women's contributions in politics, child care, science, education, athletics, literature, entertainment and art.

Outrageous Women of the Middle Ages by Vicki León (1998): The stories of 15 women who defied the conventions of their times—from Lady Murasaki of Japan, the world's first novelist, to Eleanor of Aquitaine, the most celebrated queen of the Middle Ages. Covering cultures from A.D. 500 to 1400 and from around the world, this work offers enlightening profiles of the outrageous and off-beat women of this period.

Remarkable Jewish Women: Rebels, Rabbis and Other Women From Biblical Times to the Present by Emily Taitz and Sondra Henry (1996): Presents brief portraits of more than 80 notable Jewish women and introduces the historical, social and cultural backgrounds of the periods during which they lived.

Remarkable Women of the Twentieth Century by Kristen Golden and Barbara Findlen (1998): Profiles and compelling photos of 100 dynamic women of the 20th century. Includes leaders, creators, rebels, pioneers, stars, advocates, visionaries and daredevils.

Sisterhood of Spies: The Women of the OSS by Elizabeth P. McIntosh (1998): The fascinating story of the 4,000 women who made up one-fifth of the Office of Strategic Services during World War II, told by one of their own.

The Warrior Queens by Antonia Fraser (1989): In a series of cleverly linked biographies, the author tells the stories of a long line of history's "warrior queens.” She begins with the British queen Boadicea, who in A.D. 60 led a massive but doomed rebellion against the Roman occupation and ends with the modern trio of Golda Meir, Indira Gandhi and Margaret Thatcher. Women covered in between these times include Isabella of Spain, Elizabeth I and Catherine the Great.

Women and the American Labor Movement by Philip S. Foner (1979): A fascinating account of American working women from Colonial days to the eve of World War I. Based on original sources.

Nonfiction DVDs & Videocassettes

In Service to America: A History of Women in the Military (199?, Videocassette): Recounts the tales of women who disguised themselves as men to fight in the Civil War; the dangerous history of military nurses; and the story of the earliest enlisted women in WWI.

A League of Their Own: The Documentary (1992, Videocassette): This documentary tells the story of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League (1942-1953)—the first professional sports team for women in the United States. Includes interviews with former players.

A Moment in Time: Conversations With Legendary Women (2006): This series contains exclusive and distinctive profiles from the 1980s and early 1990s of cultural icons and legends. Includes conversations with Princess Grace, Indira Gandhi, Coretta Scott King, Lady Bird Johnson, Betty Ford, Sally Ride, Billie Jean King, Marlo Thomas, Barbara Jordan, Toni Morrison, Gloria Steinem, Coretta Scott King, Helen Gurley Brown and Alice Walker.

  • African American Women of Achievement (DVD)
  • First Ladies/First Victories (DVD)
  • Legends & Leaders (DVD)
  • Media & Politics (DVD)

Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony (2003, DVD): The history of women's suffrage in the United States through the dramatic, often turbulent friendship of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan Anthony. Based on the Book of the same name by Geoffrey C. Ward.

The Speeches of Famous Women (1995, Videocassette): Traces the progression of the women's movement with speeches from suffragettes through senators, including Elizabeth Stanton, Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford—who endorses the Equal Rights Act—and leaders Betty Friedan, Senator Carol Moseley-Braun and Barbara Boxer.

The Spirit of Pioneer Women (1993, Videocassette): Depicts the daily lives of North American pioneer women through diary and journal excerpts, historical photos and music of the era.

Websites

Amelia Bloomer Project: In the midst of growing political and social conservatism, courageous authors, illustrators, editors and publishers continue to create risk-taking and life-changing books about girls and women. The Amelia Bloomer Project selects and compiles a list of many of these books

Civil War Women: Links to primary sources on the Internet that are directly related to women and the Civil War. Includes diaries, letters and a link to a photograph database.

Distinguished Women of Past and Present: Biographies of women who have contributed to our culture in many different ways—writers, educators, scientists, heads of state, politicians, civil rights crusaders, artists, entertainers, and many others.

4,000 Years of Women in Science: Biographies of women in science and technology from ancient times to the present.

Michigan Authors & Illustrators: This page from the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries allows users to conduct a search for information on many Michigan women authors and illustrators.

The Michigan Women’s Historical Center & Hall of Fame: The Michigan Women's Historical Center & Hall of Fame displays cultural and historical exhibits on the accomplishments and achievements of Michigan women. The Center is also home of the Belen Gallery in which the work of Michigan artists and photographers is shown.

National First Ladies Library: The only complete bibliography in existence including all of America’s First Ladies.

National Women’s History Project: The mission of this nonprofit educational program is to recognize and celebrate the diverse and historic accomplishments of women by providing information and educational materials and programs.

300 Women Who Changed the World: In profiling 300 women who changed the world, Encyclopaedia Britannica has chosen those whose contributions have endured through the ages. Features a variety of resources, including a study guide and a media gallery with audio and visual clips.

Women Pioneers in American Memory: The Library of Congress provides stories of women who forged ahead "to make a better life for themselves, their families and their societies."

Women’s History Month: Throughout the month of March, the History Channel website features the life story of a different and extraordinary woman each day. Meet the trailblazers that changed the world.

Women’s Labor History Links: From the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), this page provides links to information on women in the labor movement.


This Special Multimedia Collection last updated on March 3, 2007.