Bellingham Public Library Celebrates Women's History Month

Pictured above are Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund and 2024 Whatcom READS author Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe.

Women are trailblazers, visionaries, politicians, activists, artists, authors, doctors, sports figures, and much more. Their stories reflect the challenges they’ve faced throughout history, as well as their achievements and contributions. As we celebrate National Women’s History Month in March, Bellingham Public Library offers a wide range of materials, including books, music and film, to bring women’s life stories to light. Read on for specific recommendations from Library staff for adults, teens and children to encourage everyone to celebrate and learn about women’s achievements and challenges past and present.

Women’s History Nonfiction for Adults

She Did It Booklist

Bellingham Public Library’s She Did It Booklist offers a variety of great titles to read about notable women through history.

Library Staff Recommend:

Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution by Cat Bohannon

“Broken into sections including (but not limited to) ‘Milk’, ‘Brain’, ‘Tools’, and ‘Love’, this book provides science-laden speculation as to why women’s bodies work the way they do. She is generally a fan, although she does offer a scathing review of babies and their big shoulders (seconded). Most of the reader reviews in Bibliocommons urge you to buy the book, and I can’t provide a stronger recommendation than that.”

– Karen, Public Services Clerk

Freedom is a Constant Struggle by Angela Y. Davis

“A great book for those looking for a welcoming overview to the work of Angela Davis, and the intersectionality of anti-oppression movements.”

– Arbor Hoff, Public Services Clerk

To Anyone Who Ever Asks: The Life, Music, and Mystery of Connie Converse by Howard Fishman

“In 1974, musician Connie Converse drove off in her Volkswagen Beetle and was never seen again. Howard Fishman, after hearing her re-issued music at a party in 2009, spent the next 13 years looking into her life and work. Give her sparse album ‘How Sad, How Lovely’ a listen to hear careful, witty lyrics and beautiful guitar.”

– Audrey, Library Assistant

Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II by Robert Matzen

“Meet a young Audrey growing up in the Netherlands during Nazi rule. Join her as she joins the Dutch underground resistance and risks her life to fight the rule of fascism. A must for any Audrey Hepburn fan and especially poignant during our current times.”

– Briana, Library Assistant

Holding It Together: How Women Became America’s Safety Net by Jessica Calarco

“Holding It Together is a lively but data-driven account of how the US social safety net is sustained by the unpaid or underpaid labor of American women, while legal supports and social programs designed to spread the burden are unenforced, unfunded, or collapsing. Calarco is a respected academic, and her book offers specific numbers and contextualized interviews as well as a clear, gripping and relatable narrative.”

– Karen, Public Services Clerk

In Praise of Difficult Women by Karen Karbo

“Celebrating the achievements and contributions from notable women, this book praises the rule-breaking, boundary-pushing heroines who persevered and made their voices heard.”

– Rob, Public Services Librarian

Didion & Babitz by Lili Anolik

“Joan Didion may be the most influential American writer of the last forty years. The writer Eve Babitz was an LA legend who made her chaotic life into seductive stories. They were once close friends, though that relationship fell apart. Lili Anolik’s joint biography of these women enhances her insight into their work, and her obvious affection and respect for both of them keeps this from deteriorating into a tale of rivalry between two talented women.”

– Karen, Public Services Clerk

Vivian Maier Developed by Ann Marks

“Vivian Maier’s work was discovered in a Chicago storage locker in 2007. She was a prolific street photographer, secretive about her personal life, and completely artistically unrecognized until after her death. Marks’ extremely thorough research illuminates Maier’s life and relentless drive to create art purely for one’s self.”

– Audrey, Library Assistant

Women’s History Fiction for Adults

Library Staff Recommend:

Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami

“Kawakami, through a portrait of three women and their relationships, beautifully explores the expectations and contradictions of modern womanhood in Japan.”

– Audrey, Library Assistant

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

“Cordelia’s mother may be an evil sorceress; may use horrible magic on her own daughter as well as the people she swindles and manipulates, but she’s also the only family the girl has. But when her mother drags Cordelia along to the house of her next mark and his clever sister, Cordelia wonders if ‘family’ is something she’s forced to obey, or something she’d rather choose for herself.”

– Rosalie, Public Services Clerk

The Refrigerator Monologues by Catherynne Valente

“Women in comics have a long history of being brushed aside, objectified, and killed off for someone else’s character development, and this entire book is very, very angry about it. Every chapter is a cathartic rage release on behalf of Jean Grey, Harley Quinn, and many more.”

– Lorena, Public Services Clerk

Women’s History Books for Teens

Strong Girls, Strong Women Book List for Teens

Teen books are, of course, geared toward the 13-18 year old audience, but are frequently enjoyed by readers of all ages. We encourage you to take a look at this great list of titles and staff recommendations whether you’re a teen or an adult.

The Apothecary Diaries by Natsu Hyuga (Teen Manga series)

“One of my absolute favorites! A fun, twisty mystery serial that incorporates gender and class expectations seamlessly. Set in historical China; where political intrigue is always afoot, and our grudging protagonist always seems to find herself right in the middle of it, no matter how hard she tries to get out of the way.”

– Rosalie, Public Services Clerk

Suffrage Song by Caitlin Cass (Graphic Novel)

“An attempt to make peace with the various aspects of famous suffragists. It’s snarky, emotional, and takes the complexity of each individual—their triumphs, mistakes, and flaws—very seriously.”

– Lorena, Public Services Clerk

Women’s History Books for Children

*Migh**ty Girls!* Book List for Children

Enjoy stories featuring strong, smart, courageous and mighty girls.

Library Staff Recommend:

Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains Words by Anita Yasuda; Art by Yuko Shimizu

“This picture book biography contains an avalanche of stunning artwork and inspiring stories about Junko Tabei, an environmental activist and impressive mountaineer. Reading about the first woman to summit Mount Everest is sure to inspire you to head for the nearest peak you can find–and hopefully to leave it a little better than you found it!” Recommended for ages 5 and up.

– Ali, Children’s Services Librarian

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison

“A perfect primer if you’re looking to learn a little bit about a lot of powerful, creative, influential, and brilliant women in Black History. Each page is a different woman’s story, pulling from women in science, the arts, journalism, social justice, espionage, and literature, and the illustrations are beautiful.”

– Lorena, Public Services Clerk

Sew Sister by Elise Matich

“As a sewist, I was particularly delighted to learn that NASA employs a team of seamstresses! Too often women’s contributions to historical events or scientific achievements go unrecognized. Both in terms of women doing the same work as the men, and in terms of doing the ‘women’s work’ that made those achievements possible. Without the women who tended spaces, cooked everyone’s meals, and did the sewing, things couldn’t run. In this particular instance a team of women literally sew heat shields for the space shuttle!”

– Lorena, Public Services Clerk

Finish the Fight! by Veronica Chambers

“A beautifully illustrated and comprehensive overview of the long road to women’s suffrage, including a lot of really awesome women you probably haven’t heard of yet.” Recommended for middle grades and up.

– Lorena, Library Assistant

Women’s History Films and Documentaries

Browse the Library shelves or search the online catalog to find films and documentaries featuring the lives of women and their stories.

To find eFilms and eDocumentaries, use your library card to sign up with Kanopy, the Library’s source for free online videos. Access them on your computer, mobile device or TV.

Historically, the contributions of women have often been underrepresented. As part of Women’s History Month, Kanopy has curated a collection of films that feature female innovators, pioneers, and trailblazers. To explore these titles, visit Kanopy #WomensHistoryMonth

The Midnight Special (Adult DVD Series)

“The Midnight Special is an amazing TV series DVD set featuring musicians of the ’70s and ’80s! What better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than by watching live performances by some of the most iconic performers of all time? Joan Baez, Blondie, Chic, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Olivia Newton-John, Chaka Khan, Crystal Gayle, and Linda Ronstadt perform live.

In addition to the amazing women featured you also get Alice Cooper, Jim Croce, Ray Charles, The Doobie Brothers, Marvin Gaye, Hall and Oates, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Cars, Aerosmith, The Kinks, AC/DC and many more. If you love classic pop music, put on your corduroy pants and stay up all night with The Midnight Special.”

– James Public Services Clerk

Turning Red (Kids’ movie, rated PG)

“Meilin discovers a strange family secret when she finds herself turning into a giant red panda whenever emotions get too high. Her family tries to help, but what they think Mei needs, and what Mei actually wants turn out to be two very different things. A funny, touching family movie about mothers and daughters, and growing up as a girl with all the expectations society puts on you.”

– Rosalie, Public Services Clerk

Women in Music: Classical Women Composers Collection and Freegal Recommendations

Bellingham Public Library is home to a Classical Women Composers collection, as well as great music and books by or about female musicians. Whether you love classical, country, hip hop or punk rock, we’ve got something for you.

Classical Women Composers List

Purchased with a generous donation from library patron Catherine Rae Sheldon, so that others may discover and enjoy the many overlooked works by women composers of classical music, this special music collection is definitely one to enjoy during Women’s History Month and all year long.

Read more about female composers and the Classical Women Composers collection here.

Freegal Music: Music Streaming and Downloads! All you need is your library card - freegalmusic.com

Freegal Music is a free music service from your library. All you need is your library card number and password/PIN. Freegal offers access to 15 million+ songs. The collection includes hundreds of genres from over 40,000+ labels with music that originates in over 100 countries. Click HERE to visit Freegal.

Women in Music Playlist on Freegal

BPL’s Women in Music Playlist is full of great songs by incredible female artists throughout the years. Click the link below to give it a listen.

Enquiring Minds by Gangsta Boo (on Freegal)

“This is the original Three 6 Mafia member’s debut solo album. Her influence on women in rap is immeasurable!”

– Audrey, Library Assistant

Colour Green by Sibylle Baier (on Freegal)

“Baier’s home-recorded tapes, made between 1970-1973, sat in boxes until her son discovered them in the early 2000’s. Solemn and reflective, her music will help you ride out the winter gloom.”

– Audrey, Library Assistant

Book Club Kits with a Focus on Women’s History

Do you participate in a local book group? The Bellingham Public Library has about 200 book club kits for your group to choose from, including memoirs and biographies featuring girls and women throughout history as well as fictional stories. A book club kit contains 10 copies of the same title, and a reading guide that contains information about the book, the author, and questions for your group to discuss. Click HERE to browse the list of kit titles and make a reservation using your library card.