Unstoppable Women Who Changed Everything

*This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I usually plan my Substack weeks, sometimes months, in advance. And I tend to stick to it. Lately, though, that plan has been unraveling the moment I open the news. There is always something that unsettles, frustrates, or angers me and suddenly I am convinced the world needs to hear my thoughts instead.

That is exactly what happened this week. I learned, along with everyone else, that legendary aviator Amelia Earhart had sent multiple distress signals, more than 50 of them later considered credible, and NO ONE DID ANYTHING. The question lingers. Was it disbelief, misogyny, incompetence, bias, or something else entirely? We may never know, but the news enraged me.

So, this week, we are celebrating remarkable women who pushed boundaries, challenged expectations, and carved out a space for themselves in a world that often resisted them. Many of these are stories we do not hear often enough, or at all, yet their impact is everywhere around us. There are countless such women across history and the world and they should all be celebrated. This list is just the beginning.

I Am Amelia Earhart by Brad Meltzer, illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos
Ages: 3-6

My first recommendation is obviously about the remarkable Amelia Earhart. There are countless books about her, but this one stands out for being warm, uplifting, and gently humorous, with illustrations that beautifully capture her spirit and energy. While it traces her journey of chasing her dreams, the central message is clear: every milestone she achieved came in response to someone who said she could not do it, or that women could not. It is a powerful reminder to believe in yourself, work hard, and keep going, even when faced with doubt. What makes her story even more inspiring is that she was fully aware of the skepticism around her and used it as fuel to push forward rather than step back.

You can get your copy on Amazon here.

Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted a Million Trees by Franck Prévot, illustrated by Aurélia Fronty
Ages: 6-9

This book tells the extraordinary story of Wangari Maathai, who rose from humble beginnings in Kenya to create lasting global change. As an environmentalist, she founded the Green Belt Movement, a grassroots initiative that empowered women through tree planting while addressing environmental degradation, food insecurity, and sustainable livelihoods. The book traces her life, her determination, and her impact, culminating in her becoming the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

You can get your copy on Amazon here.

Maryam’s Magic: The Story of Mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani by Megan Reid and Aaliya Jaleel
Ages: 4-8

This is the inspiring story of Maryam Mirzakhani, who grew up in Iran dreaming of becoming a writer. She loved books and art and hated mathematics, until she discovered geometry. That discovery changed everything. Geometry became a bridge between storytelling and art, opening up a world of shapes, patterns, and ideas that captivated her imagination. She went on to become the first woman and the first Iranian to win the Fields Medal. This book takes us through her journey from childhood curiosity to global recognition, from Iran to her life at Harvard University, and reflects on her legacy.

You can get your copy on Amazon here.

Tu Youyou’s Discovery: Finding a Cure for Malaria by Songju Ma Daemicke, illustrated by Lin
Ages: 6-9

This is a powerful story of perseverance and purpose. As a child in China, Tu Youyou nearly died from tuberculosis, an experience that inspired her to pursue medicine. She studied both modern and traditional Chinese medicine and was later tasked with finding a cure for malaria during a time when it was spreading rapidly. After years of setbacks, failures, and doubt, she and her team succeeded. Her discovery, driven by conviction and resilience, saved millions of lives and earned her the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, making her the first Chinese woman to receive this honor.

You can get your copy on Amazon here.

Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark, illustrated by Katy Wu
Ages: 5+

This book introduces readers to Grace Hopper, a mathematician, Navy admiral, and pioneer of computer programming. She developed FLOW-MATIC, one of the first programming languages, which later influenced COBOL and transformed how people interact with computers. Her work made programming more accessible, moving it beyond specialists to everyday use. Initially rejected by the Navy for being too old and too slight, she persisted until they accepted her, and later, they realized how indispensable she was. Even after retiring, she was recalled to service, and what began as a short assignment turned into two more decades of contribution. She finally retired at 80. Known also for coining the term “computer bug” after a moth caused a malfunction, Hopper’s story is full of ingenuity, humor, and determination. This book captures her remarkable life and lasting impact.

You can get your copy on Amazon here.

Bonus Picks:

The Eagle Huntress: The True Story of a Girl Who Soared Beyond Expectation by Aisholpan Nurgaiv with Liz Welch

Ages: 8-12

This is the inspiring true story of a teenaged Mongolian girl who breaks tradition to become the first female eagle hunter in her community.

Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien-Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom by Teresa Robeson and Rebecca Huang

Ages: 5+

This book tells the story of pioneering physicist Wu Chien-Shiung Wu and her groundbreaking contributions to atomic science.

Here’s to all the incredible women, everywhere!

Thank you for reading.

-Nandhini