Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists by Mikki Kendall Published by Potter/TenSpeed/Harmony/Rodale on November 5, 2019
Genres: Comics & Graphic Novels / Contemporary Women, History / Women, Social Science / Women's Studies
Pages: 208
A bold and gripping graphic history of the fight for women's rights
The ongoing struggle for women's rights has spanned human history, touched nearly every culture on Earth, and encompassed a wide range of issues, such as the right to vote, work, get an education, own property, exercise bodily autonomy, and beyond. Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists is a fun and fascinating graphic novel-style primer that covers the key figures and events that have advanced women's rights from antiquity to the modern era. In addition, this compelling book illuminates the stories of notable women throughout history--from queens and freedom fighters to warriors and spies--and the progressive movements led by women that have shaped history, including abolition, suffrage, labor, civil rights, LGBTQ liberation, reproductive rights, and more. Examining where we've been, where we are, and where we're going, Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists is an indispensable resource for people of all genders interested in the fight for a more liberated future.
Are you looking for a book to get into Women’s History Month? Well you should check out this graphic novel about the history of women on this planet entitled, Amazons, Abolitionists and Activists: A Graphic History of Women’s Fight for their Rights by Mikki Kendall and A. D’Amico. Shoutout to the librarians at my local library for creating an awesome Women’s History Month display, because that is how I came across this gem.
Jam Packed with History
This graphic novel was amazingly full to the brim with global women’s history. It felt like a graphic textbook! My recommendation is for you to read it more than once or to break up the chapters to reflect and digest. Because even though it’s in a quick paced graphic novel format, it’s still a lot of information. Trust me, I binged on it because I was so into it and I almost got information overload from going to fast.
Framing the Story
I liked the framing of it as well. The tour guide is AI and the purpose of the class she is leading is for her to guide a diverse group of six young women through history to examine the evolution of women’s rights and the leaders that stood up for those rights. It was an interesting group too. They are diverse across several intersections and are also diverse in their opinions on matters. At one point I was openly chuckling because one of the young women kept making ignorant comments and I thought to myself…am I about to see a butt whoopin’ go down in these graphic novel streets?
The Diversity of Women’s Rights Movements
The part that I loved the most about this book was that it includes ALL history. As in, many times when I pick up a book on Women’s History, white women are centered. But this book gives space to women from all cultures around the world. You learn about the Mayan Empire to Japanese Dynasties to Korean queens to the Dahomey. The history included is so rich and it is a history that doesn’t often get the focus it deserves. By the time I got to Queen Elizabeth, I kind of wanted to skip over her and keep going so that I could keep learning about extraordinary women that I had never heard of before.
Check Out Her Other Book
Have you read Hood Feminist by Mikki Kendall? If not check it out! I read it last year and enjoyed it. Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall, A Review
HAVE A SIP OF COCOA ☕…
I came for… the awesome cover and graphic novel medium
I stayed for… the diversity of the history
Hot Cocoa Moments: Like I said earlier, I thought two of the fictional characters were going to come to blows and I was just sitting there reading each interaction like 👀
Would I Read it Again: Yes! There was so much information, that I could pick this book up many times.
Educator Recommendations: If you teach social studies in general or more specifically a women’s studies or history course, then yes absolutely I recommend this book! It’s a no brainer, especially as a jumping off point for doing more research on a particular figure or historical time period. As an English teacher, I would use this as a starting point for research/creative writing project. I’d have students read the book, then select a figure they would want to learn more about and write a story about. It would be a great exercise in writing historical fiction and experiencing the research that goes into writing historical fiction.
About the Author
Learn more at her website: https://mikkikendall.com/
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