BECAUSE I WAS A GIRL

A collection of minimemoirs of successful women whose enduring spirits have enabled them to follow their passions, achieve their dreams, and overcome obstacles and naysayers.

It begins with Dolores Huerta, the union organizer who worked alongside Cesar Chavez and helped to rally thousands while also a mother and wife. Francesca Zambello tells the story of the barriers she faced as a woman wanting to direct theater and opera, a particularly male-dominated sector of the arts. As a teenager, Holly Knight loved rock music and started her own band, going on to write Grammy-winning songs of female empowerment for such singers as Tina Turner and Pat Benatar. Aspiring to break into rap music growing up, Elizabeth Acevedo decided to walk away from it after refusing to glorify the stereotypes of sex, drugs, and violence that too often characterized the form. Instead, she chose spoken word and poetry to tell her truth. This anthology represents a culturally diverse group of women who disclose how they found the inner strength and courage to excel, oftentimes breaking new ground in fields where women were not welcome. The collection is organized by decade, and interspersed throughout are bulleted lists of women’s historic accomplishments from the 1920s to the present day. Represented are CEOs, entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, bankers, and scientists, ending with girls and young women who are already leaders, paving the way for future generations of young women.

An inspiring collection and an encouragement to young girls from all walks of life.