Chelsea Clinton’s She Persisted Shares the Powerful Stories of 13 American Women

When Chelsea Clinton decided to write a picture book about powerful women in history called She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger, I knew it was going to be one I needed to share with my daughter.

Together we huddled, eager to read each and every story about these women who dared to look challenges right in the eye and stand up for what they believed in. And not only were the stories inspiring, but they were written in such a way that even the youngest readers will understand their powerful messages.

And it wasn’t just my young one who loved it and couldn’t wait to turn each page. It was also her mother. And my mother. And my best friend. And all the other women I insisted read it immediately so they could be just as moved as I was.

The stories range from widely known names such as Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, and Oprah Winfrey, to lesser known heroes that are just as important and impressive, like Clara Lemlich, Ruby Bridges, and Maria Tallchief.

The story that most surprised both my daughter and I was Claudette Colvin’s: a fifteen-year old African American girl who at the start of the civil rights movement refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white woman. We never knew that she was the girl who inspired Rosa Parks to stand up for African-American rights so publicly just nine months later. And at just fifteen years old!

Not only does this book share the moving story behind each of these heroes, it also includes memorable quotes from each woman. Words that encourage leadership, and demonstrate determination. This unique twist makes you feel so much more connected to each of these woman’s lives—it feels as if she is speaking directly to you.

The fact is, I want my daughter to grow up knowing that she can be and do anything. And yes, there might be—no, there WILL be, those who say she can’t. That she isn’t strong enough, isn’t smart enough, or isn’t the right gender. But thanks to inspirations like the women profiled in She Persisted, she’ll know that no matter what, she has to keep going. Because, as Chelsea Clinton writes on the last page, “If anyone says your voice isn’t important or your dreams are too big, remember these women. They persisted and so should you.”