Prepare to discover new heroes among these twenty-one women who challenged the status quo, championed others, and made their voices heard. From Jane Addams to Alice Waters, from groundbreaking artists and social justice advocates to scientific pioneers and business innovators, a strong thread of trailblazing women runs through American history. Written in compelling, accessible prose and vividly illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Emily Arnold McCully, this collection of inspiring and expertly researched profiles charts the bold paths these women forged in the twentieth century.
About the Author
Emily Arnold McCully has written and illustrated more than 200 books for children and young adults, including Mirette on the High Wire, for which she received the Caldecott Medal. Her books have also won the Christopher Award, Jane Addams Award and Giverney Award. McCully is the author of Ida M. Tarbell: The Woman Who Challenged Big Business—and Won!, a finalist for the YALSA Best Nonfiction Book of the Year, and A Promising Life: Coming of Age with America. She has two grown sons and one grandson, and lives in New York City and Columbia County, New York. She loves to read history. You can visit her online at www.emilyarnoldmccully.com.
Tips for She Did It!
- After reading She Did It!, have students select a woman in the book and reflect on the challenges she faced. Then, ask the student to imagine themselves in her spot and ask them to describe how they would feel and what they learned from her experience.
- Ask students to invent a holiday celebrating the accomplishments of one of the women in the book. The students should write a summary about their choice, using logic and facts to support their opinion. Then, the student can come up with a design, like for a coin or stamp, to honor the woman.
- Use quotes from the woman highlighted in the book to create a calendar. Source and other activities found at books.disney.com