"Sometimes being a girl isn't easy. At some point, someone probably will tell you to be quiet and may even tell you your dreams are impossible. Don't listen to them. These thirteen American women certainly did not take no for an answer." - First page.
Chelsea Clinton briefly teaches all of us - children and adults - about thirteen important women who helped change the world for the better, because nobody else will.
These aspiring, brave and pure-hearted geniuses fought; they struggled, they strove through all sorts of oppression, adversity and other dangers, because of their gender, from the time they were little girls.
They persisted.
The watercolour illustrations are cute and nicely capture the picturesque atmosphere of the girls'/women's lives and careers. I only wish the book could have been longer, even for a picture book for children. I guess I'm spoiled after having read 'Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls' first -which features one hundred amazing women, and not all of them are American, or ever worked in America. I wish more women could have been given a mention and celebration here, because there are so many to remember and appreciate; to dig up from obscurity and the patriarchal control on history, mainstream culture, and politics.
Also, America is not the center of the earth. It certainly isn't the center of progress. Not even close.
'She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World' - It's as good as it gets. Educational and highly accessible, it's a good starting point for any feminist, and anyone just learning what feminism is.
Famous, hardworking women persisted, and they continue to persist to this day; and we all must persist in making sure that all girls learn, once and for all, that nothing is impossible. That there are no limitations - no reasons to feel small, weak, inferior and unappreciated - due to their sex, no matter what anybody tells them.
“So, if anyone ever tells you no, if anyone says your voice isn't important or your dreams are too big, remember these women. They persisted and so should you.” - Last page.
Final Score: 3.5/5
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