Black Women’s History Reads: 10 Books About And By Historical Figures

While we celebrate Black women all year, March and April are particularly special as they are designated as Women’s History Month and Black Women’s History Month, respectively.

For the past two months, we’ve shouted out our faves, our legends, and our rising stars who broke barriers and are blazing new paths, making history in the process. There are tons of Black women historical figures out there—some widely known and others not so much. Thankfully, there are historians and record-keepers out there keeping these women’s stories alive to share across generations.

To keep your Black Women’s History Month educational and inspiring, here are 10 books by and about historical figures you should add to your list.

The 6888th Battalion

To Serve My Country, to Serve My Race: The Story of the Only African-American WACS Stationed Overseas During World War II

Author: Brenda L. Moore
Click here to learn more and purchase

Henrietta Lacks
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Author: Rebecca Skloot
Click here to learn more and purchase

Septima Clark
Freedom’s Teacher: The Life Of Septima Clark

Author: Katherine Mellon Charron
Click here to learn more and purchase

Rev. Addie Wyatt
Faith and the Fight for the Labor, Gender, and Racial Equality 

Author: Marcia Walker-McWilliams
Click here to learn more and purchase

Judge Jane Bolin
Daughter of the Empire State: The Life of Judge Jane Bolin

Author: Jacqueline McLeod
Click here to learn more and purchase

Edmonia Lewis
Stone Mirrors: The Sculpture and Silence of Edmonia Lewis
Author: Jeannine Atkins
Click here to learn more and purchase

The Women of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
Hands on the Freedom Plow 

Editors: Judy Richardson, Faith S. Holsaert, Martha Prescod Norman Noonan
Click here to learn more and purchase

Pauli Murray
Jane Crow: The Life of Pauli Murray

Author: Rosalind Rosenburg
Click here to learn more and purchase

Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday
Blues Legacies and Black Feminism 

Author: Angela Davis
Click here to learn more and purchase

Regina Anderson Andrews

Regina Anderson Andrews: Harlem Renaissance Librarian

Author: Ethelene Whitmire
Click here to learn more and purchase

Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.