With the start of March, month-long celebrations honoring women throughout all fields have already begun.
Here are five new books by Black women authors to read in support of Women’s History Month.
- Imagination: A Manifesto: Published by Ruha Benjamin, an Associate Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University, “Imagination” focuses on the importance of using the imagination as a basis for change. Through her novel, Benjamin argues that people’s imaginations already know how to reshape civilization to make the future look better. By highlighting the stories of educators, artists, and activists, the author honors those who are going against the status quo and offers new ways to approach societal issues.
- Black Girl You Are Atlas: Released last month by children’s book author Renee Watson, “Black Girl You Are Atlas” is a collection of poetry inspired by literary giants like Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes. Through the series of poems, Watson uses semi-autobiographical accounts of her childhood in Portland to chronicle and honor Black girlhood. By honoring the Black women in her life through different poetry forms, the author urges young Black girls to harness their own inner power.
- Neighbors and Other Stories: This debut novel was written by 20th-century short fiction writer Diane Oliver. Born in 1943, Oliver passed away in 1966 at the age of 22 in a motorcycle accident. “Neighbors and Other Stories” compiles eight of her short stories 58 years after they were written. Through the book, Oliver chronicles the everyday lives of Black families during the 20th century throughout the civil rights movement. Detailing their struggle with segregation and prejudice, Oliver highlights the stories of primarily Black women in the South.
- Black Women Taught Us: In a series of essays, political scientist Jenn M. Jackson spotlights the stories of influential Black women throughout history, highlighting their impact on liberation movements. Considered “a love letter to those who have been forgotten,” “Black Women Taught Us” is made up of 11 essays that celebrate the stories of Harriet Jacobs, Audre Lorde, Fannie Lou Hamer, Ella Baker and the Combahee River Collective.
- The House of Plain Truth: Published by Donna Heman, “The House of Plain Truth” uses lyrical prose to tell the story of Pearline, a young woman who returns to Jamaica and is tasked by her father to reunite their family and find the siblings who haven’t been seen in over five decades. The book moves from Brooklyn to Montego Bay and 1930s Havana, chronicling the story of the family throughout generations.
