International Women’s Day

8 March 2023 

Today is International Women’s Day – celebrating women’s achievements and increasing visibility, while calling out inequality.

Just a small selection of books that shine a light on some remarkable women, the obstacles they have overcome, their achievements, contributions and the work they continue to do…

Educated by Tara Westover –  a remarkable young woman’s memoir of escaping her circumstances and changing her life through education.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot – the extraordinary story of how one woman’s cells changed the world of medical research – a story that also raises many ethical questions.

Menopausing by Davina McCall with Dr Naomi Potter – providing access to clear and comprehensive information and encouraging conversations and change.

Vaxxers – Professor Sarah Gilbert and Catherine Green share their story of developing the Astra Zeneca vaccine in record time, putting them at the forefront of fighting the global covid pandemic.

The Long Shot – Kate Bingham & Tim Hames. The story of the extraordinary campaign to get covid vaccines from the laboratory into people’s arms.

She Said – Jodi Kantor and Megan Twomey’s account of the pain-staking and dogged investigative journalism that enabled them to convince so many women to break the Hollywood silence around sexual harassment.

Difficult Women by Helen Lewis – stories of women, and the causes they campaigned for, who have disrupted the status quo and pushed for change. 

Elsewhere, if you haven’t managed to catch Sylvia at @oldvictheatre you should. A high-energy, powerful, hip-hop and soul musical telling the story of Sylvia Pankhurst and her campaigns for universal suffrage. It’s phenomenal! 

And for information on sport-related women’s health, check out the online courses, posts and podcasts available via @thewell_hq, and keep an eye out for their forthcoming book, The Female Body Bible – A Revolution in Women’s Health and Fitness by Dr Emma Ross, Baz Moffatt and Dr Bella Smith 

#embraceequity #internationalwomensday #remarkablewomen #womensnonfiction #booksthatcelebratewomen #womeninnonfiction #bookclubrecommendations