Starred review from November 1, 2024
Gr 7 Up-This thorough compilation of profiles of influential Black women in the United States highlights well-covered subjects, such as Harriet Tubman, Serena Williams, and Michelle Obama, but also shines a light on women who have not always been recognized for their notable "firsts" and lives. For example, Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman was among the first slaves in Massachusetts to successfully sue for her freedom in 1781. Sheila Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television, was the first African American woman to become a billionaire. Ursula Burns was the first Black woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company as head of Xerox in 2009. These figures and many more are profiled in two to four pages, accompanied by a related photo. They are split into nine chapters, each one covering a specific topic, such as "Abolition and Suffrage" and "Literature and Journalism." A range of women across class, sexuality, and skin tone are presented here. These life stories are engagingly written, and every one of them deserves their own volume. Starks says in the intro: "American history, however, has been rewritten to downplay the roles of some and erase the contributions of others. Many Black women achieved levels of success that should have made them household names rather than footnotes in history books." The entries are accessible and concisely summarize the many accomplishments of the featured women. A time line is part of the front matter: back matter includes an index and extensive bibliography. VERDICT Purchase for reference collections. These powerful women will inspire young people, especially girls of color, to reach for their dreams.-Shelley M. Diaz
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
October 18, 2024
This serviceable collection brings together straightforward biographies of 100 Black women who have made substantial contributions to American society during the past three centuries. Entries are grouped into nine areas of achievement such as ""Abolition and Suffrage,"" ""The Arts and Film,"" and ""Business, Law, and Industry."" Subjects are presented in chronological arrangement according to birth date and range from the mid-eighteenth century (Elizabeth Mumbet Freeman, born c. 1742; Phyllis Wheatley, 1753) through the late twentieth century (Kentanji Brown Jackson, 1970; Misty Copeland, 1982). Each entry runs three or four pages and concentrates on life milestones, achievements, and lasting legacies set within sufficient historical detail to create context. Some entries include illustrated portraits or stock photo headshots. There are no individual article notes or references; there is a comprehensive concluding bibliography. Additional supplemental material includes a brief introduction and a time line. The fact-driven text entries read like encyclopedia articles and do not feature overarching or critical commentary. Much of this information is available elsewhere; the value of this work is the convenience of having it readily at hand. For comprehensive collections.
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