Rad American Women A-Z ─ Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries Who Shaped Our History... and Our Future!

"This is not a book. This is a guest list for a party of my heroes. Thank you for inviting us."--Lemony Snicket, author of A Series of Unfortunate Events books

"I feel honored to be included in this book. Women need to take radical steps to become feminists, and to be strong to fight for their rights and those of others facing oppression and discrimination. The world needs rad women to create a just society."--Dolores Huerta, Labor Leader, Civil Rights Activist

"Any alphabet book for children where 'P is for Patti' Smith and 'X is for the women whose names we don't know' is something I can recommend, especially when the book is as well written, representationally diverse and vividly illustrated as this one."--Francesca Lia Block, author of Dangerous Angels: The Weetzie Bat Books

"I was totally in rapture reading this book. Bold women, bold colors, and fierce black paper cutouts. I cheer these histories of women who fight not for war or country or corporation, but for EVERYONE! I can't wait for my son to read this."--Nikki McClure, Illustrator of All in a Day

"I need 2 of these books, one to read to all the kids in my life and one to rip the illustrations out of so I can frame them! This MUST HAVE super fun read fills in the missing pieces in so many kids' (and grown-ups') educations. Couldn't recommend it enough."--Kathleen Hanna, singer, Bikini Kill, Le Tigre and The Julie Ruin
ie Ruin

"Rad American Women A To Z, by Kate Schatz and wonderfully illustrated by Miriam Klein Stahl, is a fantastic book for any child, but especially for girls. I think it's so important that young girls realize all the amazing things women have accomplished throughout history, because, sadly, I don't think they hear enough about it in school, even today. I am happy to say I have heard about most of the women in this book, but there were several that I did not know about and I am so impressed with their strength and courage in the face of great odds. We have to let the young people of today know that anything and everything is possible, and this book is a simple, yet inspiring way to let them know that women have been getting it done forever!"--Mary Engelbreit, renowned artist and children's book illustrator


Like all A-Z books, this one illustrates the alphabet?but instead of "A is for Apple", A is for Angela?as in Angela Davis, the iconic political activist. B is for Billie Jean King, who shattered the glass ceiling of sports; C is for Carol Burnett, who defied assumptions about women in comedy; D is for Dolores Huerta, who organized farmworkers; and E is for Ella Baker, who mentored Dr. Martin Luther King and helped shape the Civil Rights Movement.

And the list of great women continues, spanning several centuries, multiple professions, and 26 diverse individuals. There are artists and abolitionists, scientists and suffragettes, rock stars and rabble-rousers, and agents of change of all kinds.

The book includes an introduction that discusses what it means to be "rad" and "radical," an afterword with 26 suggestions for how you can be "rad," and a Resource Guide with ideas for further learning and reading.

American history was made by countless rad--and often radical--women. By offering a fresh and diverse array of female role models, we can remind readers that there are many places to find inspiration, and that being smart and strong and brave is rad.

Kate Schatz is a writer, editor, and educator. Her book of fiction, Rid of Me: A Story, was published in 2006 on Continuum Press as part of the acclaimed 33 1/3 series. Her writing has been published in Oxford American, Denver Quarterly, Joyland, and West Branch, among others, and her short story "Folsom, Survivor" was included as a 2010 Notable Short Story in Best American Short Stories 2011. She is a co-founder and editor of The Encyclopedia Project. She is the Chair of the School of Literary Arts at Oakland School for the Arts, where she teaches fiction, poetry, and journalism to 9th-12th graders. She received her MFA in Fiction from Brown University, and a double BA in Women’s Studies/Creative Writing from UC Santa Cruz. She lives in Alameda, CA, with her husband Jason, 5 yr-old daughter Ivy Cat, 1 yr-old son Benson Bowie, Buzz the old dog and Henry the middle-aged cat.

Miriam Klein Stahl is a visual artist whose work incorporates drawing and traditional printmaking as well as public and social practice installations. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and spaces around the country and is published in numerous books. Her most recent public installation projects include the 2011 Freedom Bus Project, where she worked as a Lead Artist on design for buses in the AC transit fleet to commemorate the Montgomery Bus Boycott. She is a co-founder/lead teacher of the Arts and Humanities Academy at Berkeley High School, and holds a position as an Arts Commissioner in the City of Berkeley. She lives in Berkeley, CA, with her partner Lena, their 7 yr-old daughter Hazel, and Lenny the dog.