8 Empowering Books for Girls to Inspire the Young Women in Your Life

Jennifer Keelan was a young girl determined to make an impact on the world, and she certainly left her mark. This picture book biography about her follows her determination to help the Americans with Disabilities Act pass in Congress to help the world become more accessible. To do so, she traveled to the Capitol building where she climbed, leaving her wheelchair behind.

This beautiful watercolor picture book from Chelsea Clinton herself details thirteen diverse women who helped change America through their tenacity and drive. The title is a play on the words used to silence Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren on the Senate floor, and the book is meant to celebrate those women who found their voices and spoke up, even when others wanted them to stop. The book features stories of women who persisted in doing what was right despite overwhelming odds, including Harriet Tubman, Sonia Sotomayor, Maria Tallchief, and Sally Ride.

An inspiring picture book biography of the great Ruth Bader Ginsburg, this story makes history fun and interesting for all readers. Young girls will find it especially interesting to hear about the discrimination Ginsburg faced as a Jewish woman. While she now sits on the Supreme Court, Ginsberg struggled to find a job after law school because women at the time were expected to stay home. She spent her career as a lawyer fighting for justice, and she continues to fight for justice every day, sometimes by disagreeing with her fellow justices. But despite these disagreements, Ginsberg still respects—and is even friends with—her colleagues, showing that you can disagree with someone and still be kind.

If you’re looking for fantastic female role models, this book has them. One hundred of them, to be exact. The book includes one hundred short stories, each featuring a different woman or girl. Successful women from many cultures, nations, and times are represented, from Hatshepsut (an Egyptian Pharaoh from 1400 BC) to athletes Serena and Venus Williams. Quotes from the rebel girls themselves are included, as well as facts about their birth dates and birthplaces. In addition, each girl has their own beautiful illustration by one of sixty female artists from all over the world.

For anyone who’s ever been told they’d never make it, Life in Motion is about believing in yourself and following your dreams, despite the stereotypes and hate that may stand in your way. As the first African American principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, Misty Copeland has spent her life breaking down barriers. In her memoir (specially adapted for young readers), she recounts her troubled home life and the racism she endured while attempting to achieve her dream of a life dancing on stage. Beyond just being a true inspiration to young dreamers, Copeland’s continued hard work and dedication have changed the state of American ballet forever.

At sixteen years old, Laurie Hernandez has already competed in the Olympics, earned her first gold medal, and competed (and won) on reality TV. Full of life and personality, this memoir describes the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices required for Laurie to make it to the Rio Olympics at age 16. She set her goals and didn’t let anything—not injuries or missed proms—get in her way of accomplishing them. It seems like she achieved so much in such a brief time, but this memoir tells the story behind those achievements. Her words will inspire young readers to follow their passions and write their own stories. (There are even blank pages left at the end for readers to do just that.)

A two-time Women’s World Cup Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist, and activist, Megan Rapinoe has not only left her mark on the soccer fields but also on the world. From fighting for equal pay and LGBTQIA+ rights to the Black Lives Matter movement, Megan Rapinoe has fought for equality and justice time and time again. In this memoir adapted for young readers, kids will learn not only about the impact she’s had on the world but also about how they too can make a difference no matter how young they might be.