10 books on unstoppable women for International Women’s Day 2025
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International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, honours the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide. Emerging from the early 20th century labour movements in North America and Europe, the day symbolizes the ongoing struggle for gender equality, advocating for themes of empowerment, respect, and recognition.
This International Women’s Day, I want to highlight strong and unstoppable women who changed our world by sharing 10 fiction books inspired by these women. Take a look:
In Women with a Cure by Lynn Cullen, Dorothy Horstmann, a pioneering doctor in the 1940s and ’50s, battles polio as she races to develop a vaccine. Unlike her male counterparts, her focus is on finding a cure, driving her to confront ethical dilemmas and personal sacrifices.
Based on the life of Dr. Dorothy Horstmann and her groundbreaking polio research
Available for purchase here.
Her Lost Words by Stephanie Marie Thornton delves into the lives of both Mary Wollstonecraft, the groundbreaking author of "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman," and her daughter, Mary Shelley, renowned author of "Frankenstein." The story highlights Wollstonecraft's fight for women's rights and empowerment while also emphasizing the profound influence of her and her daughter’s combined literary legacies.
Based on the lives of authors Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley
Available for purchase here.
In Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See, Tan Yunxian, raised by her female doctor grandmother amidst restrictive traditions, learns Chinese medicine alongside her friend Meiling. Their bond faces challenges when Yunxian enters an arranged marriage, yet they strive to support one another, highlighting women's resilience and friendships in overcoming societal limitations.
Based on the life of Tan Yunxian, a woman physician from 15th-century China
Available for purchase here.
Set in 1937 Kyiv, The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn follows Mila Pavlichenko, a history student turned deadly sniper during World War II. After achieving national hero status, she is sent to the U.S. for a goodwill tour, where she navigates personal loss, builds connections, and faces enemies from her past in an intense struggle for survival.
Based on the life of Lyudmila Pavlichenko, a Russian sniper during World War II
Available for purchase here.
In When the World Fell Silent by Donna Jones Alward, we follow Nora Crowell, a determined nurse in WWI, and Charlotte Campbell, a grieving widow, whose lives intertwine after the devastating Halifax Explosion.
Based on the lives of women heros of the 1917 Halifax Explosion
Available for purchase here.
In Mrs. Van Gogh by Caroline Cauchi, we follow the story of Johanna, Vincent van Gogh's devoted sister-in-law. The narrative explores her struggles and sacrifices amid Vincent's tumultuous life and artistic journey, highlighting her unwavering support and the emotional complexities of living alongside a genius plagued by mental health challenges.
Based on the life of Johanna Van Gogh-Bonger, Vincent Van Gogh’s sister-in-law
Available for purchase here.
In The Rose Code by Kate Quinn, we follow three women—Osla, Mab, and Beth—at Bletchley Park during WWII, where they become codebreakers. Their friendship shatters under wartime pressures but is reignited in 1947 by a cryptic letter linked to past betrayals, urging them to face a hidden enemy together.
Based on the life of Osla Benning, a Bletchley Park code breaker who dated Prince Philip during World War II
Available for purchase here.
In The Jane Network by Heather Marshall, we follow Angela Creighton in 2017 as she uncovers a life-altering letter linked to a clandestine network from the 1970s. The story intertwines the lives of Dr. Evelyn Taylor and Nancy Mitchell, highlighting the struggles women faced in asserting their reproductive choices.
Based on the lives of the women of The Jane Collective in Chicago, in the 1960s and 1970s
Available for purchase here.
Goodnight Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea follows Irene Woodward, who, fleeing an abusive fiancé, joins the Red Cross during WWII. Alongside her friend Dorothy Dunford, they serve as Donut Dollies, providing support to soldiers.
Based on the life of Phyllis McLaughlin, a WWII Red Cross Donut Dolly
Available for purchase here.
In The Women by Kristin Hannah, we follow twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath, who joins the Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War. Overwhelmed by chaos and loss, she navigates war's horrors and the challenges of returning to a divided America, highlighting the sacrifices of women in conflict.
Based on real accounts of women who served in the Vietnam War
Available for purchase here.
As we commemorate International Women’s Day, let these compelling stories inspire you to celebrate the unstoppable women in your life. Each book is a tribute to the strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit of women throughout history.
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