Congress first designated March as Women’s History Month in 1987 to honor and celebrate women’s achievements and contributions to American history. The beginnings of the March celebration of women and their important accomplishments started much earlier, however.

Kate Hannigan writes in her blog, “Like any great creation, Women’s History Month traces its roots to the tiniest seed of an idea—or in this case, a single date on the calendar: National Woman’s Day. First observed on February 28, 1909, it was organized by the Socialist Party of America to call for equal rights for women on the job and at the polls.”

According to Hannigan, by 1911 National Woman’s Day went international and moved to early March. On March 8, 1917, Russian women textile workers marched for their rights. And in 1975, the United Nations – honoring this important event – designated March 8th as “International Women’s Day.” I highly recommend “31 New Picture Book Biographies to Celebrate Women's History Month” by Kate Hannigan. Trove staff has selected several new notable picture book biographies that are perfect to share with your Kindergarten-3rd grader to celebrate Women’s History Month.

Emmy Noether: The Most Important Mathematician You've Never Heard Of by Helaine Becker and Kari Rust
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“An unsung heroine of math and science. Born in 1882, when education for women was discouraged and society mostly ignored their intellectual talents, Emmy Noether, a White, German Jewish woman, managed to subsist on a small inheritance while discovering laws of physics and mathematics that changed our understanding of the universe. Clear, straightforward text that is full of drama and excitement and striking, evocative art with a subtle sense of humor portray her unusual life, quirky personality, struggles with sexism and anti-Semitism, and groundbreaking discoveries in clear, easy-to-understand detail. By explicitly presenting both the cultural beliefs of the time and the legal and academic limitations women were subjected to, Becker and Rust allow Noether's accomplishments to shine all the brighter. The scientific and mathematical concepts she clarified and/or identified, such as the theory of relativity and Noether's theorem, are explained in an impressively accessible manner. Just enough information on the Nazis' rise to power is included to relay its danger and significance without taking the focus away from Noether, her brilliance, and her continuous dedication to mathematics, including her mentorship of students. Noether's single-mindedness and accomplishments are sure to inspire admiration while the injustices she faced and her own quiet rebellion may lead many young readers to further questions and exploration…A vivid biographical depiction of history, math, science, and the importance of women in STEM.” –Kirkus Reviews

Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution: The Story of the Trans Women of Color Who Made LGBTQ+ History by Joy Ellison & Teshika Silver
Grades 1-3
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“Sylvia Rivera (1951-2002) and Marsha P. Johnson (1945-1992) played an important role in the fight for LGBTQ rights. Johnson, a Black trans woman and self-identified drag queen, befriended Rivera, a Puerto Rican American trans woman, on Halloween in 1963. Eventually, they founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), a group that helped homeless trans girls and provided them with a sense of community and safety. The pair worked to gain support in the larger gay rights movement. The text incorporates these facts into the narrative, but the central account of the Stonewall uprising is a simplified version of events. In additional biographical and historical information at the end of the book, Ellison and Silver acknowledge there are many accounts of the Stonewall Rebellion. Colorful illustrations of glamorous trans women strolling New York City streets reinforce an upbeat portrait of street life. A glossary and several pages of suggestions for adults, including discussion questions, resources, and student activities, are included.” – School Library Journal
The Flying Girl: How Aida de Acosta Learned to Soar by Margarita Engle & Sara Palacios
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“National Young People's Poet Laureate Engle brings to children the story of Aida de Acosta, who in 1903 became the first woman to fly a motorized aircraft.In her trademark free-verse style, Engle tells the story of Aida, a white Hispanic teenager from New Jersey who, on a trip to Paris, is dazzled by the sight of a balloon gliding by with an air boat dangling beneath and a man inside it. Determined to fly too, Aida approaches the inventor of the airship: Alberto Santos-Dumont, a Brazilian inventor known in his country as the father of aviation, achieving flight six months before the Wright brothers. Aida learns to fly, and fly she does, much to the consternation of her contemporaries: ‘girls, they bellowed, should never / be taught how to fly / huge machines.’ Palacios' exuberant mixed-media artwork is vibrant and colorful, in tune with Aida. Readers will chuckle at her portrayal of an aerial dinner with the waiters on stilts. In a closing note the author gives additional detail, including Aida's promise to her father that she would keep her daring deed a secret and, later in life, after losing an eye to glaucoma, her becoming the director of the first eye bank in America. A beautiful account of a young woman who knew that all she needed to reach her dream was courage and a chance to try.” –Kirkus Reviews

Thanks to Frances Perkins: Fighter for Workers Rights by Deborah Hopkinson & Kristy Caldwell
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“American workers have much to be thankful for due to the advocacy of Frances Perkins in the early 1900s. Born in Boston in 1880, Perkins graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 1902. In 1910, she earned her master's degree from Columbia University. Her contributions to early labor movements began with the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in 1911; soon after witnessing the tragedy that claimed the lives of 146 people, Perkins joined the fight for workers' rights and became a member of a safety committee to ensure better conditions for workers. In 1933, Perkins became the first woman appointed to a presidential cabinet when President Franklin D. Roosevelt named her Secretary of Labor. She held the position for 12 years. Hopkinson details Perkins's journey from an activist to an authority on labor rights in the state of New York, culminating in the establishment of Social Security as a part of Roosevelt's New Deal. Caldwell's circular illustrations use a muted palette, and her simple drawings depict an appropriate representation of the time period. An author's note, sources, a bibliography, websites, and critical thinking questions are included.” –School Library Journal

Flying High: the Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles by Michelle Meadows & Ebony Glenn
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“This picture book biography of elite gymnast Simone Biles follows a pattern of setbacks and triumphs. Readers see the uncertainty of Biles's first childhood home, then watch as Biles and her three siblings are placed in a foster home, get separated, and are eventually adopted by their biological grandparents. A canceled field trip resulted in her first visit to a gymnastics facility; the disappointment of missing the cutoff for the national team fueled the efforts that led to her Olympic fame. The story does not dwell on the negatives but emphasizes how each obstacle was overcome through family support and hard work. Gymnastics terms, such as vault, bars, and beam, are introduced and the rhythm of the rhyming text reflects Biles's energy and movement. Glenn's illustrations portray the athlete at various ages; she tumbles through the house and later perfects her competitive moves. The artwork captures the power and poise of gymnastics as well as the emotions of each scene. One dynamic spread depicts “the Biles” signature floor move as she flips through the air. Back matter includes photos, sources, facts (height, birthday), and important milestones in the Olympics and International Gymnastics Federation. A good addition to the biography section and an excellent book to hand to readers always asking for gymnastics titles.” –School Library Journal

All the Way to the Top: How One Girl’s Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything by Annette Bay Pimentel & Nabi H. Ali
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“A girl with cerebral palsy fights for the 1990 passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Whether she's horseback riding or starting kindergarten, Jennifer Keelan's ‘ready to GO!' But all around her, places and people demand that she ‘STOP!' From her wheelchair, a 4-inch curb is a “cliff,” and she's not allowed to join her classmates in the cafeteria. Everything changes when Jennifer–knowing that ‘children with disabilities get ignored too'–joins a diverse group of disability rights activists. When Jennifer is 8, activists propose the ADA to “make room for all people, including those with disabilities.” Dismissed by Congress, disabled activists crawl up the steps of the Capitol to be heard. When grown-ups say she's too young to participate, Jennifer drags herself ‘ALL THE WAY TO THE TO'” on behalf of disabled kids everywhere. Ali's soft-focus illustrations deftly convey Jennifer's determined scowl and excited grin. Pimentel realistically acknowledges that the ADA hasn't fixed everything–‘Slowest of all, minds have to change'–but in her foreword, the adult Jennifer–now Keelan-Chaffins–notes that she keeps ‘using [her] voice to speak up’ and encourages readers to do likewise. Backmatter further discusses disabilities, the disability rights movement, and the ADA. Front- and back matter seem geared toward older readers, who may find the main text a tad too simple; those wanting more information should follow this up with Amy Hayes' Disability Rights Movement (2017). Jennifer and her family present white; classmates' and activists' races vary. A necessary testament to the power of children's voices.” –Kirkus Reviews

Maryam's Magic: The Story of Mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani by Megan Reid & Aaliya Jaleel
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“The achievements of mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani–first woman and first Iranian to win the Fields Medal, the most important award in the field of mathematics–are celebrated in this new picture book. Readers meet Maryam as a young girl, a storyteller and an avid reader–her favorite street was filled with bookstores. She was not, however, a fan of math until she discovered geometry, which made her feel like ‘every number held a story.’ Reid delves into Maryam's life, describing her studies and interests in high school and college in Iran, her pursuit of a graduate degree at Harvard University, her winning the Fields Medal in 2014, and her death in 2017, at the age of 40. She weaves in details such as Maryam's native language, Farsi; her best friend, Roya; her daughter, Anahita; her secret battle with breast cancer. Jaleel's soft cartoons pair well with Reid's words, reinforcing that Maryam was not just a math genius, but someone who loved books and used stories to solve tough problems. When depicting her life in Iran, illustrations show Maryam wearing hijab according to custom; in the U.S. Maryam's short hair is shown uncovered…Highlighting an important figure, this book also demonstrates that one can excel in more than one field.” –Kirkus Reviews

Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom by Teresa Robeson & Rebecca Huang
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“Societal limits cannot extinguish talent. When Wu Chien Shiung is born, her parents worry, ‘What would become of her?’ Due to sexist mores, “’n those days, girls were not sent to school.’ But Chien Shiung was lucky, as before she was born both parents had opened a school for girls, encouraging families in their town of Liuhe to educate their daughters. ‘Soon enough, Chien Shiung [has] learned everything she could from her parents' school,’ leaving for the city of Suzhou, miles away from home and family. There she finds her passions for physics, reading (or ‘self-learning’), and politics. Her extraordinary talent takes her to bigger opportunities and further away from home. Eventually she ends up at Columbia University in New York. Because of her expertise in beta decay, three groups of scientists enlist her help with their research. From her work, all three groups win the Nobel Prize, but she is overlooked every single time. And ‘because she [is] a woman, because she [is] Asian,’ Chien Shiung is passed over for jobs. Yet her advocacy and sheer talent cannot be ignored for much longer. Huang utilizes spirited mixed-media images with a neutral palette to illuminate Shiung's journey.” –Kirkus Reviews

She Was the First: The Trailblazing Life of Shirley Chisholm by Katheryn Russell-Brown & Eric Velasquez
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“This picture-book biography shows how Shirley Chisholm's upbringing and talents led to her career in politics and her historic run for the U.S. presidency. By the age of 3, Shirley was leading children twice her age in play. When finances were difficult at home in Brooklyn, her parents brought her and her sister to live with her grandmother in Barbados, where she experienced farm life and beaches and saw black people in all sorts of positions. Re-adjusting to New York at age 10 during the Great Depression was difficult, but Shirley ultimately excelled in school, completing college and going on to become a schoolteacher before her work with community groups led her into politics. Approximately half of the story details Shirley's childhood and youth, and the other half shows Chisholm's transition from teaching into politics, focusing on how she gave a voice to the powerless. Russell-Brown's text does a remarkable job of pulling together the threads of Shirley's life to show how her experiences informed her life trajectory, ending on a note of triumph even though she does not win the presidential nomination. Velasquez's watercolor illustrations are full of life, using texture and light to capture vivid and varied scenery, personalities, and emotion.” –Kirkus Reviews

How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion by Ashima Shiraishi & Yao Xiao
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“A philosophy for life, built word by word, hold by hold, climb by climb. Japanese American teen rock-climbing champion Shiraishi narrates the story of how she navigated one of her biggest climbs with patience, perseverance, and creativity. Problems, whether on rock or in life, can look “tremendously endless” to anyone, even Ashima, depicted here as a 13-year-old. But when she compares individual holds to the shape of her mother's bolts of fabric or of her father's elbow in a dance, she connects with the route, finding her way up the rock. However, her ascent isn't perfect, and her first fall is depicted, boldly, on a vertical double-page spread. She “listens” to the climb, regroups with her father's help, and approaches the rock with renewed mental and physical strength. Her summit, illustrated in a strong, striking pose–arms spread wide, fingers gripping the rock–portrays the perseverance, reflection, and tenacity Ashima demonstrates in every climb. Backmatter both narrates and visually depicts the author's rise through the annals of climbing, including her completion of a formidable boulder problem, the first woman to do so. Vivid, clean-lined illustrations by debut artist Xiao immerse readers in sweeping, earth-toned vistas of rock and sky that form Ashima's world. Lively endpapers show Ashima in various body positions common to the sport of rock climbing. Both a riveting narrative and an excellent guide for young readers to try, try again.” – Kirkus Reviews

Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer by Tracie Sorell & Natasha Donovan
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“Highlights the life and secret work of Cherokee aerospace engineer Mary Golda Ross. As a teen in the 1920s, Mary Golda Ross loves ‘puzzling out math equations' despite expectations of the times. At 16, she finds being the only girl in a college math class means working extra hard to prove herself to the boys who ‘refused to sit next to' her. Guided by her Cherokee belief that ‘gaining life skills in all areas' is important, Ross not only strives for better grades, she aims for loftier goals. Each step of the way, whether teaching high school, working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, or helping solve aircraft design flaws during World War II Ross is fueled by other Cherokee principles as well. Ultimately, her passion for math and her commitment to those deeply rooted values result in her selection to a ‘supersecret work team' that promises to take her career, and the world, further than ever before. Meticulously researched and subtly framed according to the Cherokee beliefs that piloted Ross, page-turning prose elevates this Indigenous hidden figure to her rightful place in history. In addition, bold, classic-comics like illustrations and colors reminiscent of 1950s advertisements give an appropriately retro vibe. A stellar addition to the genre that will launch careers and inspire for generations, it deserves space alongside stories of other world leaders and innovators. Liftoff.” –Kirkus Reviews

Mother Jones and her Army of Mill Children by Jonah Winter & Nancy Carpenter
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“Winter focuses on Mother Jones' Children's Crusade to introduce young readers to the history of protests against child labor. ‘My name is Mother Jones and I'm MAD. And you'd be MAD, too, if you'd seen what I've seen.’ Thus begins Mother Jones' first-person narrative about her long career fighting child labor practices in the early 20th century. The first pages depict Mother Jones in front of smoky factories, in West Virginia coal mines, and in Philadelphia fabric mills, where white and brown children toil ‘for TEN HOURS STRAIGHT.’ Her anger at what she saw led Mother Jones to organize the central event of the volume, a children's march from Philadelphia to New York City to dramatize the plight of child laborers. The march proved unsuccessful, but was it a failure? ‘HECK, NO!’ Mother Jones assures readers. But Winter is careful to have Mother Jones state on the penultimate page that ‘the wheels of justice grind slowly’ and that it took 40 more years of work to get laws changed. His protagonist/subject speaks with fervor in a folksy idiom with the occasional dropped G and a great many capital letters. Carpenter depicts Jones as an apple-cheeked, silver-haired white woman in full-length black dress, white lace collar, and an aura of indestructibility. There is racial diversity among both child marchers and onlookers. A stellar introduction to an important and ongoing social issue.” –Kirkus Reviews