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International Women's Day
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IWD Resources

Explore our curated collection of books, podcasts, films, and documentaries specially selected for Women's History Month and International Women's Day. These resources celebrate women's stories, achievements, and experiences, highlighting diverse voices across history, culture and society. From insightful non-fiction and compelling memoirs to powerful fiction and thought-provoking films, they offer inspiration, education, and reflection.

Some of the suggested titles may contain sensitive or upsetting content, so please engage with them at your own pace.

If you have any additional recommendations, we would like to hear from you - please contact: hr-equality@qmul.ac.uk.

 

  • “A Room of One’s Own” by Virginia Woolf - A seminal essay exploring women’s need for financial independence and personal space to create.
  • “Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men” by Caroline Criado Perez – An eye-opening analysis of how data bias impacts women’s lives.
  • “The Guilty Feminist” by Deborah Frances-White – A humous and insightful look at the nuances of modern feminism.
  • “Feminism, Interrupted: Disrupting Power” by Lola Olufemi – A call to reclaim feminism from depoliticization and address systemic issues.
  • “Difficult Women: A History of Feminism in 11 Fights” by Helen Lewis – Chronicles the battles fought by women to achieve equality.
  • “Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot” by Mikki Kendall – A powerful critique of mainstream feminism, Kendall argues that it often overlooks the struggles of women of colour, working-class women, and other marginalised groups. She highlights issues like poverty, food insecurity, and gun violence as feminist concerns that deserve more attention.
  • “Becoming” by Michelle Obama – The former First Lady shares her journey from a working-class upbringing in Chicago to the White House. She reflects on her education, Careers, motherhood, and her role as a political figure, inspiring readers with her resilience and determination.
  • “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings “by Maya Angelou – A powerful autobiography detailing Angelou’s early life, overcoming racism and trauma to find her voice.
  • “I Am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai – The inspiring true story of Malala, who was shot by the Taliban for advocating girls’ education in Pakistan and went on to become the youngest ever Nobel Prize laureate.
  • “My Own Words” by Ruth Badder Ginsburg – A collection of writings, speeches, and legal arguments from the iconic Supreme Court Justice, highlighting her lifelong fight for gender equality and civil rights. This book offers insight into her sharp intellect and unwavering commitment to justice.
  • “Know My Name” by Chanel Miller – A powerful memoir by the survivor of the Stanford sexual assault case, reclaiming her identity and exposing the injustices of the legal system while offering hope and resilience.
  • “Educated” by Tara Westover – A memoir recounting Westover’s quest for knowledge, escaping a strict and abusive upbringing in rural Idaho.
  • “Somebody’s Daughter” by Ashley C. Ford – A raw and emotional memoir exploring Ford’s childhood, complicated relationship with her incarcerated father, navigating poverty, and discovering self-worth. Ford reflects on family, love, and trauma with honesty and emotional depth.

 

  • “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood – A dystopian story of a totalitarian regime that strips women of their rights.
  • “The Colour Purple” by Alice Walker – A Pulitzer Prize – winning novel about the struggles of African American women in the early 20th-century American South. Told through letters, the story follows Celie’s journey from oppression and abuse to independence and self-love.
  • “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott – A timeless coming of age novel about the four March sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy - who navigate love, loss, ambition, and family dynamics during the Civil War era. The book remains a powerful celebration of sisterhood and female ambition.
  • “Queenie” by Candice Carty-Williams – A bold, contemporary novel following Queenie Jenkins, a 25-year-old British Jamaican woman navigating relationships, mental health and identity in modern London.
  • “Girl, Woman, Other” by Bernadine Evaristo – An awarding winning novel that weaves together the interconnected lives of twelve Black British women exploring race, gender and identity.
  • “Circe” by Madeline Miller – A reimaging of the Greek myth of Circe, the powerful witch and daughter of Helios. Banished to an island, Circe hones her magical abilities, encounters legendary figures like Odysseus, and redefines her own destiny in a world ruled by gods and men.
  • “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen – A timeless novel about love, class, and societal expectations, following the independent and witty Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates romance and personal growth.
  • “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett – A multigenerational novel following twin sisters who grow up in a Black community but take vastly different paths – one passing a white and the other embracing her identity. The book explores themes of race, identity, and consequences of the choices we make.



 

 

  • The Woman King (2022) – A historical epic inspired by the true story of Agojie, an all-female warrior unit in the Kingdom of Dahomey.
  • Hidden Figures (2016) - The inspiring true story of three African American women mathematicians – Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson who played crucial roles at NASA during the space race.
  • Suffragette (2015) - A dramatization of the British suffrage movement.
  • Rocks (2019) - A powerful British coming-of-age story about resilience and sisterhood.
  • The Favourite (2018) - A historical drama depicting women’s power dynamics in Queen Anne’s
  • Wild Rose (2018) - A British film about a single mother chasing her country music dreams.
  • Little Women (2019) - A timeless feminist classic.
  • Belle 2013 – Inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, the mixed-heritage daughter of an African woman and a British naval officer, this film explores her life in 18th century England, addressing themes of race, class, and social justice.
  • Pariah (2011) – A powerful coming of age film following a young Black lesbian in Brooklyn as she navigates her sexuality, family expectations, and self-acceptance.
  • Women’s Aid UK - Domestic abuse support and advocacy.
  • Refuge UK - Support for women escaping domestic violence.
  • The Everyday Sexism Project - A platform documenting instances of sexism.
  • Southall Black Sisters - Supporting Black and minority ethnic women facing gender-based violence.
  • UN Women UK - Promoting gender equality in the UK and globally.
  • The Fawcett Society - The UK’s leading charity campaigning for gender equality.
  • Parents and Carers Network - Queen Mary Parents and Carers Network was established to raise awareness of the needs of working parents and carers. The Network is for staff who are parents (in any context) to children of any age and for those who are balancing work with caring for an ill, elderly, or disabled family member, friend or partner.
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