Inspired by Women's History Month in celebration of the women who paved the way to our present day, and the ones who continue to work to create a better future for women today. Here, we've put together a selection of books about women who are leading in their industries, and who've written books — from memoirs to how-tos — about how you can do the same. Whether you're seeking a promotion at work, the courage to give big presentations, or to enjoy more financial freedom, these titles will motivate you while also giving you the tools to make it happen.
Chingona: Owning Your Inner Badass for Healing and Justice by Alma Zaragoza-Petty
Chingona is a Spanish term for 'badass woman,' which is exactly who Alma Zaragoza-Petty, Mexican American activist, scholar, and podcast host, is in real life. This book is part memoir, part call to action. While the stories of Mexican Americans are often overlooked, Zaragoza-Petty is determined to change that. In Chingona, she shares her own experiences of growing up in oppressive systems, while also offering ideas and inspiration for women — particularly those facing oppression — to first heal and then speak up. As she says, by unleashing our inner badass, we join the righteous fight for dignity and justice for all.
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Not all books on leadership have to be action-oriented and productive, they can also be fun, easy reads like this one. Yes Please by Parks and Rec superstar Amy Poehler is a great behind-the-scenes look at what it's like being one of the most well-known female comedians in the world, and Poehler blends funny stories with surprisingly insightful advice for women who want to move up in their careers. Who can say no to a book with a chapter titled "Treat Your Career Like a Bad Boyfriend"? (There's a good reason this book became a #1 New York Times bestseller.)
Negotiation for Women: A Collaborative Approach by Nita Singh Kaushal
Nita Singh Kaushal, CEO founder and career coach, was working in the tech space as an engineer when she realized she often was the only woman in the room — and part of the reason women were missing out on leadership roles, promotions, and even entry-level positions was a lack of knowledge and confidence to negotiate. From getting a raise to seeking a higher level role in management, Singh Kaushal has extremely practical tips on how to ask for what you're worth — and how to create an argument for that raise that your boss simply can't refuse. This quick read will change how you think about every negotiation in your life — and it only takes 20 minutes!
What is especially great about this book is that it features many impressive women — contemporary as well as historical figures. The only rule of this book? The women featured had to break the rules! Women like sex-positive champion Helen Gurley Brown, famed producer Shonda Rhimes, badass pilot Amelia Earhart, and so many others are celebrated in these pages because of their rebellious spirit. Bestselling author Karbo keeps this narrative fun and easy to read, rather than feeling like a textbook or master's thesis, so you'll likely laugh and cry as you make your way through.
Worth It: Your Life, Your Money, Your Terms by Amanda Steinberg
We included a few career and finance-based books on this list for two reasons: First, because they were written by amazing women leaders in their respective industries, and second, because change for women only happens when women are able to make changes in their own individual lives. Written by Steinberg, who founded (and serves as CEO of) DailyWorth.com, the top website for women who want to take control of their financial lives and futures. In Worth It, she simplifies the essentials of finance, going from the mindset aspect to the specific strategies you need to employ to make more, save more, and live more.
Around the Way Girl: A Memoir by Taraji P. Henson with Denene Millner
You may not be planning to become an actor, but you can still learn plenty from this memoir by Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Taraji P. Henson. Henson's story focuses largely on family, friendship, and how to make it in Hollywood on your own terms. While you may not be heading for Sunset Boulevard, her advice for making your way in an industry that doesn't seem open to you is solid gold for anyone seeking a career in a traditionally male-dominated space. Even better, this book is fun to read, since Henson is truly hilarious as well as utterly authentic.
If you want a seat at the table, you'll need to read the best advice from 20 of the top female leaders in the world. This book will help you learn how to stand up (and stand out) in a male-dominated industry, make the shift into leadership roles, advocate for yourself in the office, and bust out of your comfort zone. No matter what industry you're in, there's a story for you. There are women who write, who work in TV, who work in the field of advocacy, and who run multi-billion dollar companies, and each has fantastic wisdom to share.
Award-winning humanitarian and founder of the Miss Black USA Pageant Karen Arrington has a message for all women, but especially Black women who are historically left out of far too many conversations: There's no more time to play small. As she says, it’s time to level up. This book is pure motivation — it feels like a blast of energy shooting through your body as you turn the pages. From how to increase your income to how to create a winning team around you, Arrington shares tips not just from her own life, but also from the powerful women she's met along the way.
Proving that age has nothing to do with how much you can accomplish, Tiffany Pham started Mogul.com when she was only 27 years old. Now, with nearly half a billion women using her platform that connects women with each other as well as to industries and opportunities around the world, Pham has created a women's revolution in the workforce. Here, she explains how it happened — and how you can write your own rules and follow your own dreams, especially as a woman.
