Cue “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” by Shania Twain. It’s Women’s History Month, and in this political and economic climate, where women especially are underpaid, overworked, and carrying communities on our backs, we’re resisting. But we’re also choosing joy. So, I asked around the office for some book, movie, and music recs to celebrate how amazing women are.
First, let’s talk book recommendations
The feminist essentials:
- We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Feminism Is for Everybody,
- Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
- Becoming by Michelle Obama- smart, accessible, empowering.
And for layered, cultural storytelling:
- Luster by Raven Leilani- a sharp, messy coming-of-age story about a young Black woman navigating work, desire, and identity. Which, FYI, is supposed to be adapted into a series on HBO by Tessa Thompson
- This Bridge Called My Back, first published in 1981 by Persephone Press, is a groundbreaking anthology centering radical women of color.
- Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri explores love, migration, and family with quiet emotional depth.
- Plantains and Our Becoming by Melania Luisa Marte is lush, intimate poetry on Black girlhood and diaspora.
- And Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson—a beautiful memoir in verse about growing up Black and finding your voice.
Your must-see movies:
- Barbie—is pink, funny, and unexpectedly radical.
- Little Women—about ambition and sisterhood.
- The Woman King—is centered around Black women warriors in their power.
- Hidden Figures—brilliance that changed history.
- And the classic My Brilliant Career was the first Australian feature film directed by a woman, Gillian Armstrong, in 46 years, a story about choosing yourself.
And finally, the soundtrack to your resistance and joy:
- Run the World (Girls) by Beyonce.
- Superwoman by Alicia Keys.
- Q.U.E.E.N. by Janelle Monae.
- Olive Branch by Elyanna, Palestinian Chilean “queen of the diaspora.”
- And “Not Ready to Make Nice”, by The Chicks—because sometimes you need to scream-sing.
This month and every month: Read women. Watch women. Stream women. Protect women. And never, ever dim your joy.