This Women’s History Month, join Equality Now in celebrating women’s contributions throughout history to achieve gender equality. From the stories of fearless female activists to classic feminist literature, this month our Feminist Culture Club is celebrating Women’s History Month by reading books and watching movies and TV shows that demonstrate women’s resiliency, our collective strength, and the progress we have made.
Women’s History Month Recommendations:
Persepolis
Persepolis is an autobiographical graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi about her experience coming-of-age during and after the Iranian Revolution. Growing up in a liberal family in Tehran, she witnesses the fall of the Shah, the rise of oppressive theocracy, and the devastation of the Iran-Iraq war. Satrapi writes about her mother and grandmother’s impact in resisting societal oppression, while also seeing new laws that require women to wear a veil, stripping women of their basic human rights, and the violent enforcement of gender norms.
Why you should read this book: Persepolis highlights the resilience of women in the face of political oppression.
Mrs. America (available to stream on Hulu or purchase on Apple TV)
Mrs. America is a miniseries about the efforts to pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in the 1970s. The TV show follows the women campaigning for the ERA, including Gloria Steinem, Shirley Chisholm, and Betty Friedan, as well as those within the anti ERA movement like Phyllis Schlafly.
Why you should watch this show: Despite Mrs. America taking place in the 1970s, it remains relevant to the current political climate in the US, especially following President Biden’s decision to declare the ERA the “law of the land”.
I Am Malala
I Am Malala is the memoir of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani advocate who was shot by the Taliban for her work advocating for girls’ education. The book tells the story of her childhood in the Swat Valley, her passionate activism for girls’ rights, and the attack that nearly killed her. Malala recounts her journey from a quiet schoolgirl to a global symbol for education and women’s rights, reflecting on her recovery, the global movement for girls’ education, and her ongoing advocacy for equality.
Why you should read this book: I Am Malala is a read that is guaranteed to inspire you, while reflecting on the courage and resilience of young girls and women, even in the face of life-threatening adversity.
The Woman King (available to stream on Hulu or purchase on Apple TV)
The Woman King is a historical action film starring Viola Davis. The film is inspired by the true story of Agojie, an all-female warrior unit that protected the West African kingdom of Dahomey in the 19th century. Viola Davis plays General Nanisca, who trains the next generation of women warriors to defend their people and protect them from the slave trade.
Why you should watch this movie: The Woman King includes themes of sisterhood, colonialism, and resilience, making it a great film to reflect on during Women’s History Month.
Sister Outsider
Sister Outsider is a collection of essays and speeches by Audre Lorde that explores the intersection of race, gender, sexuality, and oppression. Speaking from her experience as a Black lesbian feminist, Lorde challenges systems of power and advocates for intersectionality, self-expression, and collective liberation. She critiques white feminism’s exclusion of marginalized voices and emphasizes the need for solidarity among women of all backgrounds. Lorde’s book encourages readers to confront injustice and embrace their differences as their source of strength.
Why you should read this book: Sister Outsider broadens the conversation on feminism by centering the voices of Black women, queer women, and other marginalized groups.
Equality Now Staff Highlight: Normal Women: 900 Years of Making History
Name: Ceri Sutherland
Title: Programme Impact Analyst
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
“Philippa Gregory’s Normal Women: 900 Years of Making History is an eye-opening exploration of how ordinary women, often overlooked, have shaped English laws and society. Hidden in plain sight, these women fought against injustice—taking on landlords, employers, and unfair tax systems—despite having little to no formal power. This fascinating journey through nine centuries exposes how history has all but erased their contributions and reminds us how powerful everyday acts of resistance (and clever, compassionate women) can be. It’s 688 pages of herstory worth discovering!”
Remembering a Feminist Icon:
March 15 marks the birthday of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG). Justice Ginsburg was a pioneer in using the legal system to further gender equality. She has inspired generations of women to advance our rights around the world, including serving as an inspiration to Equality Now and our mission to achieve legal gender equality. Learn more about her astonishing legacy in Equality Now’s tribute video, featuring Meryl Streep, below.
On the Basis of Sex (available to stream on Netflix or purchase on Amazon)
To remember Ruth today, we recommend watching On the Basis of Sex. This biographical drama tells the story of her early career working toward gender equality through the legal system. The film focuses on her landmark case in 1972, where she argued for the right of men and women to be treated equally under the law. It highlights Ginsburg’s determination to challenge deeply entrenched sexism, both in her personal life and her professional career, and her role in paving the way for future gender equality cases in the Supreme Court. On the Basis of Sex is a perfect choice for Women’s History Month as it highlights RBG’s trailblazing career and her vital contributions to gender equality.
Why you should watch this movie: On the Basis of Sex underscores the importance of legal activism in advancing women’s rights and serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender justice. It offers reflection on the progress made and the work still ahead to achieve women’s equality.
Equality Now’s Gender Equality Quiz
Take Equality Now’s gender equality quiz. Created for Women’s History Month with questions built from our “Words & Deeds” report, this quiz will test your knowledge and reveal eye-opening facts. Do you know what proportion of global unpaid care work is carried out by women? Or how many women around the world experience sexual violence in their lifetime? Let’s empower ourselves with knowledge and drive change together.
We hope these stories inspire you and ignite your passion to continue supporting our work to achieve gender equality. Together, we can make equality a reality. We hope you have a happy Women’s History Month!
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