Your browser is not supported. For the best experience, you should upgrade to a modern browser with improved speed and security.

How Women Won The Vote: Books for Kids & Adults About the U.S. Suffrage Movement

The top books and films for children and adults about the 72-year fight for women's suffrage in the United States.

For children today, it's hard to imagine a time when women couldn't vote; realizing that they've had that right for only just over 100 years is astounding. It's equally shocking when they learn that women had to fight for 72 years before the 19th Amendment — which stated that no citizen could be denied the right to vote on account of sex — became law. So it's imperative that we teach today's children about the struggle for women's suffrage, not only to honor the dedication and sacrifices of the women who led the Women's Suffrage Movement, but also to ensure that future generations don't take the right to vote for granted.

In this blog post, we're highlighting books and films about women's suffrage in the United States: the history of the movement, the women who led it forward, and the tremendous challenges that they faced in their quest to ensure that women's voices could be heard at the ballot box. These stories will both educate kids about a critical period in women's history and inspire them to see the power of determined activists and political leaders to make big changes in the world.

For more books about suffrage in both the US and around the world, visit the Suffrage section of our Women's History Collection. For books about the voting rights struggles which continued during the Civil Rights Movement, visit our special feature on the Top Mighty Girl Books on Civil Rights History.

How Women Won The Vote

Susan B. Anthony: Her Fight for Equal Rights

Susan B. Anthony: Her Fight for Equal Rights

Written by: Monica Kulling
Illustrated by: Maike Plenzke
Recommended Age: 4 - 7

It's hard for today's kids to imagine a world in which women had no vote and no voice — and that's thanks to the efforts of suffragists like Susan B. Anthony! In this Step 2 biography reader from the Step Into Reading series, kids will learn why Anthony was so determined to fight for women's rights, from her battle for equal pay to her infamous "illegal" vote. Issued for both Anthony's 200th birthday and the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, this book, with bold illustrations and fascinating facts about this trailblazing woman, will captivate young readers and remind them that, when it comes to justice, "failure is impossible"!

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$6.99 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£4.60 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$14.22 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$4.99 (USD)

Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote

Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote

Written by: Tanya Lee Stone
Illustrated by: Rebecca Gibbon
Recommended Age: 4 - 8

From an early age, Elizabeth Cady Stanton was aware that women did not have equal rights with men — and she was determined to change that. Unlike many women of her time, she went to college and soon began gathering other like-minded women to demand equality. At the first ever women's right conference that she organized in Seneca Falls, New York, Stanton presented the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments, which included a demand for the women's right to vote. In this picture book biography, Tanya Lee Stone focuses on seeing the world through Stanton's eyes, without facts or dates, making her relateable for younger readers; an author's note at the end talks about Stanton's further accomplishments after the convention.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$9.10 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£14.95 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$20.98 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$6.99 (USD)

Marching with Aunt Susan: Susan B. Anthony and the Fight for Women's Suffrage

Marching with Aunt Susan: Susan B. Anthony and the Fight for Women's Suffrage

Written by: Claire Rudolf Murphy
Illustrated by: Stacey Schuett
Recommended Age: 4 - 8

It's 1896, and all Bessie wants is to go hiking with her father and brothers... but girls don't hike, so they leave her at home. Instead, she gets to meet an intriguing guest: Susan B. Anthony, in town for a rally in hopes of passing the first referendum on women's suffrage. Inspired by Anthony's speech, Bessie recruits a friend to join her as she helps at the suffrage headquarters. There may be lots of things that Bessie can't do, but perhaps, someday, those restrictions will finally lift. Although the 1896 referendum did not pass, Claire Rudolf Murphy's fictional story of a real Californian girl hints at the change to come: Bessie's mother learns to ride a bicycle and her father decides to take her hiking after all.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$11.99 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£6.85 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$26.58 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$8.99 (USD)

Fight of the Century: Alice Paul Battles Woodrow Wilson for the Vote

Fight of the Century: Alice Paul Battles Woodrow Wilson for the Vote

Written by: Barb Rosenstock
Illustrated by: Sarah Green
Recommended Age: 5 - 9

When Woodrow Wilson was inaugurated as President, Alice Paul was waiting — and knew he would meet his match! Paul was determined to win the battle for women's suffrage, and she battered Wilson with clever protests, articulate arguments, and a ferocious refusal to quit. In this thrilling picture book biography, author Barb Rosenstock captures the struggle between Paul and Wilson as a four-round boxing match — in which Paul's clever strategy defeats him at every turn! With colorful, period-inspired illustrations from Sarah Green, and extensive back matter providing additional detail about Paul's work and legacy, this compelling book highlights just how fierce the fight for the vote was.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$20.53 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£13.99 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$36.03 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$16.65 (USD)

Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, A Kitten, and 10,000 Miles

Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, A Kitten, and 10,000 Miles

Written by: Mara Rockliff
Illustrated by: Hadley Hooper
Recommended Age: 5 - 9

Nell Richardson and Alice Burke wanted to convince America to support equal voting rights for women... so in April 1916, they set out from New York City to tell people in person! In a little yellow car, carrying key supplies like a typewriter, a sewing machine, and a little black kitten, they toured the country over 10,000 miles of bumpy, muddy terrain. In honor of the 100th anniversary of their whirlwind tour, author Mara Rockliff and illustrator Hadley Hooper have created a charming and lively picture book that beautifully captures their spirit of adventure and their determination to spread the message about equal voting rights.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$69.38 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
(Unavailable)
Amazon.com.au
A$57.55 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$27.00 (USD)

The Voice That Won The Vote: How One Woman's Words Made History

The Voice That Won The Vote: How One Woman's Words Made History

Written by: Elisa Boxer
Illustrated by: Vivien Mildenberger
Recommended Age: 5 - 9

August, 1920: Tennessee's legislature is about to cast a history-making vote. If they approve the 19th Amendment, it will be ratified and women across the country will be assured of their right to vote. If they don't, the suffragists have more battles ahead. The decision came down to a single vote, and a shocking moment when Harry Burns — previously a staunch opponent of suffrage — voted in favor of suffrage. And he did so because of a letter from his indomitable mother, Febb Burns, who said "Vote for suffrage and don't forget to be a good boy." This inspiring picture book celebrates a defining moment of American history — and the determined woman whose letter helped give all women a voice in politics.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$21.99 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£14.98 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$42.40 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$15.64 (USD)

Heart on Fire: Susan B. Anthony Votes for President

Heart on Fire: Susan B. Anthony Votes for President

Written by: Ann Malaspina
Illustrated by: Steve James
Recommended Age: 5 - 9

In 1872, Susan B. Anthony made history — and broke the law — by casting a vote in the presidential election. Anthony was prepared to argue that the 14th Amendment, which had been ratified in 1868, extended voting rights to women. In this inspiring story, kids follow Anthony as she casts her vote, and then persists in arguing for women's suffrage even as she is arrested, tried, and convicted — what she called "[t]he greatest outrage history every witnessed." The story ends with the judge's infamous fine of $100, which Anthony refused to pay. This dramatic celebration of Anthony's tireless efforts on behalf of women's suffrage, which wouldn't be added to the US Constitution until 1920, will have kids seeking out more information about this dedicated suffragist.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$36.45 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£22.01 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$44.85 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$13.49 (USD)

I Could Do That! Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote

I Could Do That! Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote

Written by: Linda Arms White
Illustrated by: Nancy Carpenter
Recommended Age: 5 - 9

All her life, Esther Morris' response to any challenge was, "I could do that." She proved her mettle when she started her own business at the age of 19. But even though she knew she was capable of voting, only men were allowed to cast a ballot so she decided it was time for a change! Morris led the first successful American campaign for women's suffrage in Wyoming Territory, which passed in 1869, and went on to become the first woman judge and the first woman to hold political office in the US. This lively story captures the determination and confidence of a woman who never saw a thing she couldn't do.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$18.43 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£17.83 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$47.05 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$18.99 (USD)

Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth Be Told

Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth Be Told

Written by: Walter Dean Myers
Illustrated by: Bonnie Christensen
Recommended Age: 6 - 9

While trailblazing journalist and activist Ida B. Wells is best known for her work with the Civil Rights Movement, she was a devoted suffragist as well. This book takes young readers through Wells' life, from her birth in slavery to her remarkable academic career, and then highlights her work as a teacher and crusader for equality on multiple fronts. Walter Dean Myers captures the determination and drive of this incredible woman, while Bonnie Christensen's historically accurate illustrations enhance the text. The contributions of women of color in the Women's Suffrage Movement are often overlooked, so this book provides an opportunity to discuss their role in the journey towards universal suffrage. For two more books about Wells' role in the battle for women's suffrage, we recommend Ida B. Wells, Voice of Truth for ages 5 to 9 and Who Was Ida B. Wells? for ages 8 to 12.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$15.89 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£18.82 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$22.31 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$7.99 (USD)

Elizabeth Started All The Trouble

Elizabeth Started All The Trouble

Written by: Doreen Rappaport
Illustrated by: Matt Faulkner
Recommended Age: 6 - 9

This unique picture book takes readers on a journey through the seven decades of the Women's Suffrage Movement. From Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott at the Seneca Falls convention, to Alice Paul and Lucy Burns' protests that finally led to the 19th Amendment, this book presents a capsule history of the movement, its key figures, and the most important moments on the quest to get women the vote. With enough detail to satisfy a newly independent reader, but an accessible tone that creates a sense of excitement to the story, this book is sure to become a favorite resource on women's history.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$24.96 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£5.20 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$26.02 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$15.94 (USD)

My Name Is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth

My Name Is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth

Written by: Ann Turner
Illustrated by: James Ransome
Recommended Age: 6 - 9

Former slave Isabella Baumfree transformed herself into Sojourner Truth, speaking out for equal rights on behalf of both the abolitionists and the women's rights movement. This beautifully illustrated picture book biography is written in the voice of Truth herself, like a monologue in dialect, giving young readers a sense of the power of the spoken word to influence people. The story begins with Truth still in slavery and follows her as she escapes, finds a new life, and then is reborn into a remarkable orator. This moving and passionate story is a fitting tribute to a dedicated and inspirational figure from American history.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$24.36 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£17.62 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$42.49 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$15.99 (USD)

Bold & Brave: Ten Heroes Who Won Women the Right to Vote

Bold & Brave: Ten Heroes Who Won Women the Right to Vote

Written by: Kirsten Gillibrand
Illustrated by: Maira Kalman
Recommended Age: 6 - 10

In time for the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduces young readers to the bold and brave women of the American Suffrage Movement in this inspiring picture book! It took seventy years of passion, perseverance, and protest before women won the right to vote, and the ten women featured here poured their hearts and souls into the fight. With a mix of both well-known names like Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul, and Sojourner Truth and lesser known women such as Jovita Idár and Mary Church Terrell, Gillibrand tells the stories of these courageous women of the past with vigor — and encourages young readers to raise their own voices to build our future.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$16.74 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£4.20 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$27.83 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$10.95 (USD)

National Woman's Party: Fight for Suffrage

National Woman's Party: Fight for Suffrage

Written by: Emily Beth Sohn
Illustrated by: Eduardo Garcia
Recommended Age: 7 - 10

For decades, women had been protesting for the right to vote — and for decades, men had ignored them. But when the National Woman's Party was founded, they were ready to push even harder for change. They began picketing outside the White House, forcing President Woodrow Wilson to take note — and even when they were arrested, beaten, and force-fed, these bold women continued to fight for suffrage. This compelling graphic novel from the Graphic Library tells the story the origins of the National Woman's Party and their fight to win the vote is a unique way to introduce women's history to young readers.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$9.66 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£7.53 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$24.91 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$7.95 (USD)

Chasing Freedom: The Life Journeys of Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony, Inspired by Historical Facts

Chasing Freedom: The Life Journeys of Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony, Inspired by Historical Facts

Written by: Nikki Grimes
Illustrated by: Michele Wood
Recommended Age: 7 - 10

When women were just beginning their quest for the vote, it's important to remember that African Americans still faced the struggle to end slavery. In this work of historical fiction, award-winning author Nikki Grimes imagines a conversation between Harriet Tubman, the legendary Underground Railroad conductor and civil rights advocate, and Susan B. Anthony, the famous women's suffrage leader. As they chat, they tell their stories, set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing 19th century America. This unique look at two of America's history-making women also includes back matter that encourages kids to learn more about them and their period of history.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$28.03 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£20.54 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$43.30 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$21.99 (USD)

Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Women's Rights Pioneer

Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Women's Rights Pioneer

Written by: Connie Rose Miller
Illustrated by: Cynthia Martin
Recommended Age: 7 - 10

Elizabeth Cady Stanton didn't think it was fair that a man's voice counted more than hers. She was just a smart as men, but she was discouraged from speaking in public and she was not allowed to vote. So she decided to change that! Stanton would become one of the driving forces behind the early American women's rights movement, organizing the groundbreaking 1848 Seneca Falls Convention and drafting the famous Declaration of Sentiments that declared: "all men and women are created equal." This graphic novel from the Graphic Library tells Stanton's story in gripping fashion, capturing her passion for women's rights and her determination to see justice done.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$13.24 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£7.49 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$14.30 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$8.99 (USD)

How Women Won the Vote: Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, and Their Big Idea

How Women Won the Vote: Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, and Their Big Idea

Illustrated by: Ziyue Chen
Recommended Age: 7 - 12

When Alice Paul and Lucy Burns met in a London jail after being arrested in UK suffrage protests, the two American women knew they wanted to reinvigorate the American suffrage battle! The pair organized the DC Women’s March of 1913, a stunning and attention-grabbing parade right before the inauguration of President Woodrow Wilson, and that was just the beginning of their protests. Author Susan Campbell Bartoletti tells the story of the final push towards the 19th Amendment with verve, including archival images, sidebars, and other fascinating details, while illustrator Ziyue Chen captures the feeling of the early 20th century. Filled with captivating storytelling, photos, and artwork, this fascinating book, published for the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, is the perfect introduction to the Suffrage Movement for young readers!

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$16.74 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£14.96 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$29.99 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$7.99 (USD)

Who Was Susan B. Anthony?

Who Was Susan B. Anthony?

Illustrated by: Mike Lacey
Recommended Age: 8 - 12

The indomitable Susan B. Anthony gets her own entry in the popular Who Was...? biography series! From her time working as a schoolteacher in New York — where her refusal to accept lower pay than her male colleagues marked the beginning of a career advocating for women's rights — to her speaking tours in the US and Europe, kids will follow Anthony as she devotes the majority of her life to winning the vote for women, even though she didn't live to see the 19th Amendment ratified. Additional information in sidebars and back matter, including a timeline of Anthony's life and of the world, will inspire kids to learn more about the women's suffrage movement.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$8.05 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
(Unavailable)
Amazon.com.au
A$15.95 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$4.74 (USD)

What Is The Women's Rights Movement?

What Is The Women's Rights Movement?

Illustrated by: Laurie A. Conley
Recommended Age: 8 - 12

For kids today, the idea that women couldn't vote, or didn't belong in many jobs, is foreign — but this history is critical for understanding how far we've come and the struggles that carry on to this day. In this engaging volume from the Who Was...? biography series, young readers will learn the story of the Women's Rights Movement, from its early days with leaders with Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton fighting for the vote to the work of 20th century groundbreakers to present day events like the historic 2017 Women's March. This compelling introduction to women's long fight for equality will inspire kids to continue to work for positive social change.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$7.99 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£4.93 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$17.99 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$4.99 (USD)

A Woman In The House (And Senate)

How Women Came to Washington and Changed the Nation

A Woman In The House (And Senate)

How Women Came to Washington and Changed the Nation

Written by: Ilene Cooper
Illustrated by: Elizabeth Baddeley
Recommended Age: 8 - 14

Did you know that Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress, won her seat at a time when many women in America still couldn't vote? Beginning with the women's suffrage movement and going all the way through the results of the 2018 election, Ilene Cooper deftly covers more than a century of U.S. history in order to highlight the influential and diverse group of female leaders who opened doors for women in politics as well as the nation as a whole! This updated edition of Cooper's book, complete with lively illustrations and archival photographs, also includes a glossary, index, and chart of all the women who have served in Congress. It's a great way to introduce tweens and teens to women in the broader political world.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$15.98 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£15.41 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$31.37 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$18.91 (USD)

Rightfully Ours: How Women Won The Vote: 21 Activities

Rightfully Ours: How Women Won The Vote: 21 Activities

Written by: Kerrie Logan Hollihan
Recommended Age: 9 and up

In this lively narrative, Kerrie Logan Hollihan provides an overview of the Women's Suffrage Movement for tweens and teens. Hollihan looks at several heroes of the movement, as well as the key events of the decades-long movement. Along with the history, the book provides 21 activities to give kids a sense of the everyday life of the suffragists, from making a protest banner with coat hangers to baking a cake with suffrage frosting to composing a suffrage rhyme. This entry in the For Kids book series is sure to inspire young readers and give them a new appreciation of women's hard-fought struggle to have their right to vote recognized!

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$38.74 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£22.75 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$43.79 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$15.99 (USD)

Not for Ourselves Alone - The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony

Not for Ourselves Alone - The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony

Recommended Age: 9 and up

This fascinating documentary tells the story of how these two determined and courageous women became the strong roots of the women's rights movement in the United States. Through a combination of actors reading the women's writings, commentary from historians, and archival photographs and footage, director Ken Burns tells each woman's story — as well as the story of their friendship — and shows how each chose a different path that, nevertheless, led each of them towards a life of activism on behalf of American women. Finally, he shows how far women's rights have come since Stanton and Anthony started their crusade, and highlights how their work continues to resonate with today's women's rights activists.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$22.07 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£20.83 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$35.23 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$13.17 (USD)

Wheels of Change

How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way)

Wheels of Change

How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way)

Written by: Sue Macy
Recommended Age: 10 - 14

What is now a childhood rite of passage — riding a bicycle — was once a revolutionary opportunity for women to gain freedom of movement and independence. Sue Macy uses vintage photographs, advertisements, cartoons, and more to show how the ability to travel freely made definitive improvements in women's lives — something that's still happening in other countries of the world today. Most importantly, the ability to travel alone to gather with other women was a key element in the success of the Women's Suffrage Movement. This insightful book will gain new appreciation for the tremendous social change inspired by the bicycle, which, according to Susan B. Anthony, "has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world."

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$11.83 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£7.61 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$23.92 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$9.99 (USD)

Roses and Radicals

The Epic Story of How American Women Won the Right to Vote

Roses and Radicals

The Epic Story of How American Women Won the Right to Vote

Recommended Age: 10 and up

It's easy to say that the 19th Amendment "gave" women the right to vote, but the truth is that women had to fight to win that right — for almost eighty years, with literal blood, sweat, and tears. In this exciting volume, author Susan Zimet captures just how complicated the quest for women's suffrage in the United States was, and paints vivid portraits of the women who endured mockery, arrest, and even torture to achieve it, in some cases knowing that the Amendment wouldn't pass in their lifetimes. With portraits, period cartoons, and other archival images, Zimet highlights just how controversial the notion of votes for women was. Tween and teen readers will be shocked to learn the details of this epic women's rights battle — and inspired to use their votes well in future!

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$13.99 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£7.94 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$24.11 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$9.99 (USD)

With Courage and Cloth

Winning the Fight for a Woman's Right to Vote

With Courage and Cloth

Winning the Fight for a Woman's Right to Vote

Written by: Ann Bausum
Recommended Age: 10 and up

When Alice Paul helped design the banners for the Women's Suffrage Movement, she suggested three colors: purple for justice, white for purity of purpose, and gold for courage. The colors were apt, because facing the angry opponents of women's suffrage required an ample helping of all three! In this fascinating book, Ann Bausum melds archival photographs with a compelling narrative telling of the history of women's suffrage to create a history book that reads like a thriller. Bausum doesn't shy away from the consequences that these brave activists faced, from prisons full of rats to force feeding when they went on hunger strikes. Her book serves as an apt reminder that women were not given the vote — they won it, through blood, sweat, and tears.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$32.77 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£27.35 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$50.78 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$32.99 (USD)

The Woman's Hour: Our Fight for the Right to Vote (Young Readers Edition)

The Woman's Hour: Our Fight for the Right to Vote (Young Readers Edition)

Written by: Elaine Weiss
Recommended Age: 10 and up

In August 1920, women's right to vote is at a tipping point. Suffragists have been fighting for the vote for over 70 years, and one more state needs to ratify the 19th Amendment for it to finally be enshrined in the Constitution. Tennessee is about to make their decision, but the road isn't easy. Many people oppose the amendment, including the "Antis": women who don't want women to be able to vote and racists who oppose the fact that its passage would give black women the right to vote. As suffragist leaders Carrie Catt, Sue White, and Alice Paul agitate for the amendment's ratification, they face blackmail, betrayal, and more. Elaine Weiss told this nail-biting story for adults in The Woman's Hour; now, this young readers edition, which includes an 8-page photo insert, will teach kids about the power of activism, the importance of equal rights, and just how close the passage of the 19th Amendment really was.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$32.71 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£18.66 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$36.94 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$19.57 (USD)

One Woman, One Vote

One Woman, One Vote

Recommended Age: 10 and up

This documentary of the seven decade fight for women's suffrage in the US examines how a country that proclaimed itself the world's greatest democracy could justify refusing the vote to so many citizens. Director Ruth Pollack presents the reasons that people of both genders opposed the idea of women's suffrage, and explores how the women's rights movement managed to overcome their objections in order to pass the 19th Amendment in 1920. Susan Sarandon narrates this story, which also touches on notable figures like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Alice Paul, and captures the shift as women's suffrage went from a fringe opinion to a sophisticated, organized movement.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$46.89 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£17.80 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$36.60 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$14.99 (USD)

Alice Paul and the Fight for Women's Rights

Alice Paul and the Fight for Women's Rights

Written by: Deborah Kops
Recommended Age: 10 and up
Alice Paul not only helped win the battle for women's suffrage in the United States, she remained a leading women's rights activist for decades during the "second wave" of feminism, as women fought for full equality with men across society. At the beginning of the 20th century, Paul reignited the Women's Suffrage Movement with dramatic new protests, finally bringing sufficient pressure on elected officials that the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920. Then, she set her sights on other laws that discriminated against women. Her proposed Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) may not have been passed — yet — but her continued fight for equality for women has inspired the generations after her to take up the banner. This compelling biography provides an excellent introduction for tweens and teens to the life and work of one of the greatest champions of women's rights in U.S. history.
Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$18.10 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£11.99 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$36.62 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$17.95 (USD)

Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony: A Friendship That Changed the World

Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony: A Friendship That Changed the World

Written by: Penny Colman
Recommended Age: 12 and up

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was the married mother of four boys; Susan B. Anthony was a former school teacher who was resolved never to marry. And yet these two women shared a deep conviction in the need for women's rights — and particularly the right to vote. Together, they worked tirelessly to change attitudes and laws, despite ferocious opposition from outside the movement and betrayals from friends and family. Penny Colman's excellent narrative has just been reprinted in a paperback edition, ensuring that a new group of girls will have the opportunity to read about this influential friendship.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$14.27 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£10.52 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$21.63 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$18.93 (USD)

The Feminist Revolution

A Story of the Three Most Inspiring and Empowering Women in American History: Susan B. Anthony, Margaret Sanger, and Betty Friedan

The Feminist Revolution

A Story of the Three Most Inspiring and Empowering Women in American History: Susan B. Anthony, Margaret Sanger, and Betty Friedan

Written by: Jules Archer
Recommended Age: 14 and up

The struggle for women's rights has been long, and many of its battles are interconnected. In this revised edition of Jules Archer's excellent book, teens learn about three critical figures from American history who rarely appear in general history books. Archer lays out how Susan B. Anthony's role pushing for women's right to vote set the groundwork for Margaret Sanger's quest for the right to birth control, and then to Betty Friedan's campaign for equal job opportunities. All of these are things that today's girls and women may take for granted; this book highlights not only the sacrifices that were necessary to gain these rights, but also how each of them was a necessary prerequisite to the next.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$25.49 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£11.99 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$19.77 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$16.99 (USD)

Iron Jawed Angels

Iron Jawed Angels

Recommended Age: 13 and up

This inspiring film starring Oscar-winner Hilary Swank tells the story of Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, two young women's rights activists who broke with the established suffragists to establish the National Women's Party and lead the final successful campaign for women's suffrage in the United States. The film compellingly depicts the fervent energy that Paul and Burns injected into the suffrage battle — through White House pickets, imprisonment, hunger strikes, and force feeding, these determined women were unstoppable in their pursuit of women's suffrage. This moving film will give viewers a new appreciation of the unflagging perseverance and the astounding personal sacrifices made by suffragists in their efforts to win women the right to vote. Due to a harsh, though realistic, force-feeding scene, we recommend this film for teen and adult viewers.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$11.45 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£15.42 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$26.98 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$9.34 (USD)

Votes for Women!: American Suffragists and the Battle for the Ballot

Votes for Women!: American Suffragists and the Battle for the Ballot

Written by: Winifred Conkling
Recommended Age: 13 and up

When American women won the right to vote in 1920, it was the culmination of a nearly eighty-year fight! In this mesmerizing book, author Winifred Conkling crafts a unique history of the Women's Suffrage Movement that explores the broader progress of the movement, as well as its often powerful and sometimes rocky relationship with the temperance and abolitionist movements. From early activists like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Sojourner Truth; to the first female candidate for president, Victoria Woodhull; to later activists like Alice Paul and Lucy Burns who succeeded in successfully pushing the amendment through at great personal cost, Votes for Women! tells their stories and explores their legacies in a riveting and unflinching fashion.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$20.07 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£10.99 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$22.99 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$9.39 (USD)

Suffrage: Women's Long Battle for the Vote

Suffrage: Women's Long Battle for the Vote

Written by: Ellen Carol DuBois
Recommended Age: Adults

Follow the long and dramatic 72-year fight for women's right to vote with this thrilling and deeply-researched account of the Women's Suffrage Movement by distinguished historian Carol DuBois! Beginning with the Women's Rights Movement's early years, and bold activists like Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Sojourner Truth, DuBois explores how the movement rose and fell; how the crushing disappointment of women being denied the vote with the 15th Amendment led to a schism between many people who had long worked shoulder to shoulder as abolitionists against slavery; and then introduces a new generation of champions like Carrie Chapman Catt and Alice Paul who helped make the 19th Amendment a reality fifty years later. This authoritative history, released for the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment's ratification, is a stirring account of one of the most important movements in American history.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$25.00 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£4.42 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$22.45 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$11.31 (USD)

A Woman's Crusade: Alice Paul and the Battle for the Ballot

A Woman's Crusade: Alice Paul and the Battle for the Ballot

Written by: Mary Walton
Recommended Age: Adults

Alice Paul went from a studious life as the daughter of a devoted Quaker family to being the leader of the militant wing of the women's rights movement. Her daring and unconventional tactics forced the hand of President Woodrow Wilson and the U.S. Congress — but getting there came at significant cost. In this powerful biography, Mary Walton captures Paul's fervent passion, as well as her canny understanding of the importance of public opinion. Walton doesn't shy away from the harsh realities that the suffragists faced in their quest, proving that far from being "given" the vote, women had to win it, step by painful step.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$28.50 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
(Unavailable)
Amazon.com.au
A$45.47 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$16.91 (USD)

Sisters: The Lives of America's Suffragists

Sisters: The Lives of America's Suffragists

Written by: Jean H. Baker
Recommended Age: Adults

American suffragists had to fight for decades to win the vote, and along the way they also won other key rights of citizenship for women, including the right to hold property, to sign a contract, and to testify in court. Historian Jean H. Baker explores the lives of five famous suffragists — Lucy Stone, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Frances Willard, and Alice Paul — to show how their private lives informed their public activism, creating vibrant portraits of the women whose sisterhood came not from blood, but from their unyielding support for a movement. This unique look at these groundbreaking women captures both their human sides and their revolutionary place in history.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$18.93 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£13.57 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$21.48 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$9.49 (USD)

Failure Is Impossible: Susan B. Anthony In Her Own Words

Failure Is Impossible: Susan B. Anthony In Her Own Words

Written by: Lynn Sherr
Recommended Age: Adults

Susan B. Anthony's life has been captured in many biographies — but in this book, the legendary activist gets to speak for herself! Author Lynn Sherr collects some of Anthony's famously powerful, scathing, and witty speeches, writings, and quotes to create a unique picture of this critical figure from American history. Sherr divides her spirited collection by theme and intersperses Anthony's words with biographical essays, giving readers a perspective on her broad activism which included causes like the abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, married women's rights, and much more. This portrait of Anthony reveals more than the stalwart activist: it also shows her as a loyal friend, a witty speaker, and an eloquent defender of justice.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$32.75 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£18.09 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$38.01 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$13.32 (USD)

Suffragists in Washington, D.C.

The 1913 Parade and the Fight for the Vote

Suffragists in Washington, D.C.

The 1913 Parade and the Fight for the Vote

Written by: Rebecca Boggs Roberts
Recommended Age: Adults

By 1913, despite sixty years of grueling work by suffragists, only six states allowed women to vote. Then Alice Paul came to Washington, D.C., with a bold plan: a Great Suffrage Parade, right down Pennsylvania Avenue, the day before Woodrow Wilson's inauguration. Paul's demonstration marked the beginning of a more aggressive strategy that divided the women's suffrage movement, and even resulted in suffrage protesters being thrown in jail and beaten. But these tactics would eventually lead to victory: the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment was seven years away. This narrative telling of the final years of the suffrage struggle is a testament to the power of protest and the will of determined women.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$28.99 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£15.48 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$31.44 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$12.99 (USD)

Jailed for Freedom: A First-Person Account of the Militant Fight for Women's Rights

Jailed for Freedom: A First-Person Account of the Militant Fight for Women's Rights

Written by: Doris Stevens
Recommended Age: Adults

To win the vote, women had to put their bodies and lives on the line — and one of them was Doris Stevens. In this stunning first person account, Stevens lays out the political backdrop — an administration refusing to consider women's suffrage no matter what argument was laid before them — and then describes the courage of women like her who demanded to have their voices heard. Stevens herself was arrested for "obstructing the sidewalk" and jailed; her colleagues and friends suffered worse, including beatings and force-feeding. This 100th anniversary edition of her book, with a new introduction from suffrage historian Angela P. Dodson, is a powerful reminder of what the suffragists had to do to win the rights we take for granted today.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$56.80 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£16.27 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$56.99 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$21.94 (USD)

Mr. President, How Long Must We Wait: Alice Paul, Woodrow Wilson, and the Fight for the Right to Vote

Mr. President, How Long Must We Wait: Alice Paul, Woodrow Wilson, and the Fight for the Right to Vote

Written by: Tina Cassidy
Recommended Age: Adults

Woodrow Wilson's arrival in Washington as the new president was overshadowed by a suffragist parade — one organized by 25-year-old activist Alice Paul. It was the beginning of a struggle between the president and this determined woman who refused to give way and wait for women's right to vote. In Mr. President, How Long Must We Wait?, author Tina Cassidy tells the interwoven stories of these two political figures, complete with a detailed portrait of Paul's activism — and the price she paid for it, including solitary confinement, force feeding, and even commitment in a psychiatric ward. Released in advance of the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, this book highlights the courage, determination, and daring of this little-known heroine.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$27.43 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£23.94 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$58.96 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$15.99 (USD)

Why They Marched: Untold Stories of the Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote

Why They Marched: Untold Stories of the Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote

Written by: Susan Ware
Recommended Age: Adults

The story of the fight for suffrage in America is often poorly understood and oversimplified, with most people knowing the names of a few key figures and perhaps a handful of significant moments. In truth, the 72 year-long movement was complex, fractious, and far more diverse than any superficial history shows! In this compelling book, Susan Ware shines a light on nineteen often overlooked activists, including Rose Schneiderman, Mary Church Terrell, Mary Johnston, Emmeline W. Wells, and more. It also shows a few of the many places where the suffrage movement unfolded such as church parlors, meeting rooms, and the halls of Congress, but also on college campuses and even at the top of Mount Rainier. Moving, inspiring, and empowering, this is a testament to political action, the bond between women, and the power of raising your voice.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$18.68 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£13.95 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$25.37 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$19.00 (USD)

The Woman's Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote

The Woman's Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote

Written by: Elaine Weiss
Recommended Age: Adults

This real-life political thriller tells the story of the nail-biting climax of one of the greatest political battles in American history: the ratification of the constitutional amendment that granted women the right to vote. In August 1920, 35 states have ratified the Nineteenth Amendment, twelve have rejected or refused to vote, and one last state is needed — after a seven-decade long crusade, the future of women's suffrage comes down to Tennessee. Over one hot summer, opposing forces converge on the state for a vicious face-off replete with dirty tricks, bigotry, and betrayals. Following a handful of remarkable women who led their respective forces into battle, The Woman's Hour is the inspiring story of activists winning their own freedom in one of the last campaigns forged in the shadow of the Civil War, and the beginning of the great twentieth-century battles for civil rights.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$27.99 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
(Unavailable)
Amazon.com.au
A$20.17 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$12.29 (USD)

Additional Recommended Resources

You May Also Like

Help keep A Mighty Girl growing in the years ahead!

If you discover books or other resources via this post that you would like to purchase, please use the "Buy at Amazon" and other links found on every A Mighty Girl product page. By doing so, at no added cost to you, you help to support the site and allow us to continue providing you with wonderful girl-empowering resources. We appreciate your support!