Women in History: Which Iconic Woman Will Inspire You Next? 

Loud written and read by Drew Afualo  

A rising star known online as the “Crusader for Women,” Drew Afualo shares her message in Loud. Blending memoir, manifesto, and guide, she promotes self-confidence and encourages women and femmes to center their own worth rather than shape their identity around men. 

Josephine Baker’s Secret War by Hanna Diamond and read by Olivia Vinall 

Before World War II, Josephine Baker was a world-famous Paris performer. When war began, she remained in France and became a spy for the French Resistance. Historian Hanna Diamond reveals Baker’s crucial intelligence and military contributions to Allied efforts. 

Bits and Pieces written and read by Whoopi Goldberg 

In this memoir, Whoopi Goldberg honors her mother, Emma Johnson, whose love and determination shaped the woman she became. After losing her mother in 2010 and later her brother, Goldberg recalls growing up in New York’s projects and reveals the struggles and sacrifices behind their joyful, resilient childhood.  

We Will Be Jaguars by Nemonte Nenquimo  

Born in Ecuador’s Amazon to the Waorani, Nemonte Nenquimo grew up learning traditional forest knowledge before briefly studying with missionaries. She writes of this in her memoir, as well as her later return to her community, when she became a leading climate activist, uniting Indigenous nations and helping secure a landmark victory protecting vast areas of rainforest. 

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly  

Beginning in World War II and continuing through the Cold War, civil rights era, and the space race, this story follows four African American women working behind the scenes at NASA. Over nearly three decades, they overcome discrimination, build alliances, and use their mathematical brilliance to contribute to major space achievements and reshape the nation’s future. 

Desert Flower by Waris Dirie 

Born into a traditional Somali nomadic family practicing genital mutilation and arranged marriages, Waris Dirie escaped an early forced marriage at 12, journeying alone across the desert. Her path took her from domestic work in Mogadishu to international modeling and eventually to the US, where she became a humanitarian and UN ambassador advocating for women’s rights. 

A Woman Called Moses (1978) 

Narrated by Orson Welles, the story recounts Harriet Tubman’s (Cicely Tyson) life in slavery under a supposedly “fair” owner who still treats her harshly. Inspired to seek freedom, she escapes north and later courageously organizes the Underground Railroad, guiding dozens of enslaved people to liberty. 

Black Reign – Queen Latifah 

Queen Latifah blends hip-hop, jazz, and soul while delivering messages of empowerment and social awareness. Featuring the Grammy-winning song “U.N.I.T.Y.,” the album cemented Latifah as a pioneering voice for women in hip-hop and a trailblazer advocating respect and equality in rap culture. 

Linger Awhile (Deluxe Edition) – Samara Joy  

Samara Joy is among the latest artists to record on Verve Records. The label played a vital role in shaping jazz, pop, and beyond, bringing distinctive voices and artistry to the forefront. The label itself has championed female musicians for decades, offering creative freedom, high-quality production, and a platform that elevated women as innovators, trailblazers, and cultural icons in music history. 

Often compared to legends like Sarah Vaughan, Joy has helped introduce a new generation to jazz, making her one of the genre’s most exciting young voices. 

A Rome of One’s Own by Emma Southon and read by Danielle Cohen 

This lively history of Rome is told through the lives of 21 remarkable women. This book reclaims the stories overlooked by traditional historians, highlighting women who led, rebelled, created, and influenced society, offering a humorous, insightful, and groundbreaking view of the ancient world. 

Enigma Girls by Candace Fleming and read by Moira Quirk 

In the spring of 1941, hundreds of young women arrived at a dilapidated mansion in the British Isles, later known as Station X. Unaware of their mission, they became vital to Bletchley Park’s secret wartime codebreaking, operating bombe machines, decoding messages, and safeguarding intelligence, proving indispensable in the fight against Nazi Germany. 

The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank and read by Susan Adams 

Anne and her family, along with friends, spent 25 months hiding in secret rooms called “the Annex” in an Amsterdam warehouse. Entering at age 13 and captured at 15, she discovered hope amid fear and experienced the first stirrings of love while surrounded by a world filled with hatred during the Nazi occupation. 

Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler by Susana M. Morris  

This cultural biography explores the life of the groundbreaking writer, the first Black woman to consistently publish in science fiction. It situates her work within historical and social movements—civil rights, Black power, women’s liberation, and more—showing how her speculative fiction used America’s rise and fall to examine humanity, power, and the potential of marginalized voices. 

Backstage by Donna Leon 

This engaging collection of essays and stories by the bestselling author of the Guido Brunetti series explores writing, reading, teaching, and Venice. She reflects on literary influences, from Ruth Rendell to Dickens, and shares the research behind her novels, revealing how real-world experiences and chance encounters shape her vivid depictions of characters and Venetian life. 

Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict 

A brilliant outsider, Rosalind Franklin devoted herself to science, driven to uncover DNA’s secrets through tireless experimentation. When the double helix finally reveals itself, she faces unexpected challenges as her groundbreaking work is overshadowed by male colleagues. Marie Benedict’s novel illuminates her hidden contributions and relentless pursuit that transformed our understanding of life. 

Christa McAuliffe: Reach for the Stars (2006) 

An intimate portrait of Christa McAuliffe, the teacher selected to fly aboard the space shuttle Challenger. This documentary tells her story, highlighting the influence she had on the world and her family, and the lasting legacy of her words: “I touch the future. I teach.” 

The Diary of Anne Frank (1959) 

Millie Perkins stars as Anne in this film recounting the struggles of her Jewish refugee family, who spent two years hiding during the Nazi occupation. 

Becoming Helen Keller (2021) 

Despite being deaf and blind, she became a powerful voice for social change. This documentary explores Helen Keller’s multifaceted life as an author, lecturer, activist, and pioneering human rights advocate. 

TV: 

French Chef with Julia Child BingePass: Seasons 1-4 

Trailblazing chef Julia Child was one of the first women to host a cooking show. Share in her passion for authentic French cuisine while learning classic recipes to try at home. Eighty-four episodes from the original series. 

Talking to My Angels written and read by Melissa Etheridge  

This heartfelt memoir spans two decades, chronicling Etheridge’s life as a rock star, mother, and survivor. It reflects on profound loss, including her son’s death from addiction, her fight with cancer, personal triumphs, and spiritual growth, conveying resilience and hope. 

Uptown Girl written and read by Christie Brinkley  

For the first time, Brinkley reflects on her life on and off camera, exploring the girl she was and the woman she became. She shares formative experiences, from childhood betrayals and a love of art to a whirlwind modeling and acting career, four marriages, and near-death trials, celebrating life’s magic, adventure, and unexpected twists. 

Cher: The Memoir, Part One written by Cher and read by Cher and Stephanie J. Block 

This captivating audiobook experience is partly narrated by Cher herself, with celebrated Broadway actor Stephanie J. Block completing the storytelling. Alternating narration brings Cher’s memoir to vivid life, from childhood and meeting Sonny to fame, relationships, motherhood, and her journey toward independence. 

Rebel Girl by Kathleen Hanna 

Kathleen Hanna reflects on her journey from a difficult childhood to becoming the outspoken voice of the punk band Bikini Kill. She recounts the challenges of women in punk, the rise of the Riot Grrrl, influential friendships, and her evolving musical and personal life. 

Who’s That Girl by Eve  

Eve reflects on her rise from Philadelphia’s housing projects to global fame. She recounts breaking barriers in hip-hop with chart-topping albums and a Grammy-winning hit with Gwen Stefani while navigating a male-dominated industry, personal struggles, and her lasting influence on music and pop culture.  

Black Friend by Ziwe 

Ziwe blends sharp pop-culture commentary with personal stories, turning her bold interview style inward. Through humorous and sometimes unsettling experiences, she explores identity, race, and social expectations, using wit and candid reflection to raise challenging cultural questions while entertaining readers. 

Love, Gilda (2019) 

An intimate look into the life of Gilda Radner. Director Lisa D’Apolito discovered diaries along with personal audio and video recordings that reveal Radner’s childhood, rise in comedy, personal relationships, and her battle with cancer. 

The Very Best of Patsy Cline 

This album highlights the timeless voice that reshaped country and pop music. With hits like “Crazy” and “Walkin’ After Midnight,” Cline broke gender barriers in country music and became one of the first female crossover stars, influencing generations of singers across multiple genres.  

American Flygirl by Susan Tate Ankeny and read by Hannah Choi 

In 1932, a young Chinese American woman discovered her passion for flying and soon earned her pilot’s license. Despite discrimination and barriers in both the United States and China, she pursued aviation with determination, eventually serving as one of the first Asian American pilots in the Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II. 

Grandma Gatewood’s Walk by Ben Montgomery and read by Patrick Lawlor 

In 1955, a 67-year-old Ohio great-grandmother quietly left home for a walk and ended up hiking hundreds of miles of the Appalachian Trail alone. Reaching Maine’s Mount Katahdin, she became the first woman to complete the trail solo and later the first person to hike it multiple times, bringing national attention to the rugged path. 

Ten Days in a Mad-House by Nellie Bly and read by Rebecca Gibel 

In 1887, Nellie Bly went undercover at the Blackwell’s Island Insane Asylum to expose conditions inside. Her reporting, later published as Ten Days in a Mad-House, revealed severe abuse and neglect, sparking public outrage and a grand jury investigation. 

A Warrior of the People by Joe Starita 

In 1889, Susan La Flesche Picotte became the first Native American to earn a US medical degree. Serving her tribe across vast rural lands, she treated widespread illness and poverty, overcoming racial and gender barriers while dedicating her life to improving the health and wellbeing of her people. 

The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore 

In 1860, Elizabeth Packard was committed to the Illinois State Hospital by her husband after expressing independent views. Inside, she discovered many sane women confined for similar reasons. Determined to fight injustice, she challenged the system and later became a powerful advocate for women’s rights and mental health reform. 

Thirty Below by Cassidy Randall 

An Alaskan doctor determined to summit Denali faced repeated rejection from climbing expeditions because she was a woman. Refusing to give up, she helped organize the first all-female attempt to scale the peak. Battling harsh conditions, skepticism, and disaster, the team set out to prove women belonged in mountaineering. 

The Great Courses BingePass: The course, entitled Warriors, Queens, and Intellectuals: 36 Great Women Before 1400, is an impressive collection of lectures about women in history (and we do mean history)!  The Great Courses BingePass: The course, entitled Warriors, Queens, and Intellectuals: 36 Great Women Before 1400, is an impressive collection of lectures about women in history (and we do mean history)!