Modern women


52 pioneers

Kira Cochrane, Frances Lincoln, 240 pages, £20 (hardback)

Modern women is a celebration of some of the influential and inspiring women who have changed the world through their lives, work and actions. 


Kira Cochrane has put together a cast of activists, artists, politicians, musicians, scientists, authors, suffragettes, anti-Nazis activists, and more, who have all paved the way in some regard for gender equality.


Each chapter focusses on a particular life, from abolitionist Harriet Tubman to modern feminist and writer of We should all be feminists, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The book highlights the stories that are often passed over and pulls out the lessons for women still fighting today.


It has chapters on artist Frida Kahlo, author Mary Wollstonecraft, strike leader Jayaben Desai and singer Miriam Makeba. 


It also introduces us to lesser known activists such as suffragette and circus strongwoman Katie Sandwina. A great read. 


Reviews contributed by the Bookmarks socialist bookshop. 


Order online at https://bookmarksbookshop.co.uk