Women of the World Social Education 67(1), pp. 54-57 © 2003 National Council for the Social Studies Once Upon a Time: Teaching about Women and Social Justice Through Literature By Cynthia A. Tyson and KaaVonia Hinton-Johnson ne half of the world’s population is female, yet today’s social studies curricula continue to understate the experiences of women around the globe. This is unfortunate because Olearning about women’s contributions has important implications for a redefinition of civic participatory action. Including historic accounts social justice while also attracting readers because Codye6 and illustrated by Susie Kilgore, of the personal and political challenges faced the books are well written and engaging. describes Martinez’s life as a Latina activist and by women would enable a clearer definition of Despite some positive signs, finding teach- attorney who has fought continuously for civil what it means to be a citizen and participate in ing materials to forge a theoretical and historical rights, particularly within the state of Texas. the global community. Additionally, studying the frame of reference concerning social justice and Madame C.J. Walker: Building a Business connections between social justice and women’s women for elementary, middle, and secondary Empire (Gateway Biographies), written by Penny political struggles for equity can engage teachers grade students can be an overwhelming task. Colman,7 describes how Madame C.J. Walker, and students both academically and personally. Frequently, teachers underestimate students’ one of the first black female philanthropists, Teaching about women and social justice ability to read and discuss controversial issues. helped scores of women gain employment and through literature helps create profiles of cour- We overlook the reality that many children and become self-sufficient. age and possibilities. Some women who strug- young adults face these very challenges, euphe- gled with injustice may have decided that the mistically called “controversial issues,” in their Middle Level only solution was to give up or conform. But the personal lives. Offering literature about women Our Golda: The Story of Golda Meir (1985), narratives of women highlighted in the litera- and social justice for children and young adults written by David A. Adler8 and illustrated by ture listed below show that time and time again, can facilitate opportunities for students to engage Donna Ruff, features the courage and fortitude women have successfully challenged poverty, in content that is relevant to their lives. Literature of Golda Meir as she struggled to defend her homelessness, institutional racism, illiteracy, provides a natural opportunity for social educa- country, Israel. Other notable books about domestic violence, and other social ills. tors to engage with these issues. Golda Meir for elementary and middle school The life stories of women like Indira Nehru The NCSS Carter G. Woodson Book students include the following titles: Golda Meir, Gandhi (former prime minister of India), Rigo- Award3 has honored outstanding literary works by Deborah Hitzeroth,9 describes Meir’s child- berta Menchú (Guatemalan social activist), Daw surrounding social justice issues on a yearly basis hood in Russia, the years she spent in Milwaukee, Aung San Suu Kyi (Burmese political rights activ- since 1974. A number of the books that received Wisconsin, and her move to pre-Israeli Palestine, ist), Fannie Lou Hamer (African American voting the award have been about women activists from where she eventually became a leader. Golda rights advocate), and Patricia McFadden (Voices around the world. These books can be shared Meir, by Karen McAuley,10 is also excellent. for Peace in Israel-Palestine) are examples of just a with students from elementary to high school.4 Ela Bhatt: Uniting Women in India, by few women who displayed the tenacity of human What follows is a brief selection of books, both Jyotsna Sreenivasan,11 tells of Bhatt’s courageous endurance in the face of adversity. award winners and others, that deal with women efforts as an organizer in India. She founded the Literature About Women and Social Justice and social justice in an age-appropriate fashion. Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), The struggle (against sexism, and for gender an organization comprised of women who attend equity) has led to a reexamination of gender roles Elementary Level to women’s issues, particularly regarding political and patriarchal institutions, and a growing aware- Fannie Lou Hamer and the Fight for the Vote, and financial power. ness of the relationship between sexism and other by Penny Colman (Gateway Biographies),5 docu- Mamphela Ramphele: Challenging Apart- forms of oppression, such as racism, classism, ments Hamer’s commitment to helping African heid in South Africa, by Judith Harlan,1 features heterosexism, and ableism.1 Americans in Mississippi gain the right to vote Ramphele’s fight against racism and sexism in Today, stories of women’s responses to the in the 1960s. South Africa. injustices of everyday life are finding their ways Honored in 1990 as a Carter G. Wood- into books that showcase women’s engagement in son Book, Vilma Martinez, written by Corinn Social Education 54 Enslow Publishers, Inc. Secondary Level causes as well as her development as a political The Flight of the Red Bird: The Life of Zitkala- leader. Sa, by Doreen Rappaport,13 uses the personal Mother Teresa (On My Own Books), by documents of Zitkala-Sa, born Gertrude Bon- Candice F. Ransom,5 depicts the life and con- nin, a woman of both Sioux Indian and white tributions of Mother Teresa. heritage, to recount her lifelong fight for Native Ida B. Wells: Mother of the Civil Rights American rights. Movement, by Dennis Brindell Fradin and In I, Rigoberta Menchú: An Indian Woman Judith Bloom Fradin,6 describes Wells’s work in Guatemala, by Rigoberta Menchú with Elis- as an activist and civil rights advocate long before abeth Burgos-Debray,14 Menchú describes the the 1960s civil rights movement. adversities her people faced in Guatemala. Winona LaDuke: Restoring Land and Frida Kahlo: Portrait of a Mexican Painter Culture in Native America, by Michael Silver- (Hispanic Biographies Series), by Barbara C. stone,7 describes LaDuke’s work as a Native Cruz,15 features the life of the surrealist painter/ American rights and environmental activist. activist. Nzingha: Warrior Queen of Matamba, Angola, Africa, 1595 (The Royal Diaries Series), Other notable books about women activists by Patricia McKissack,8 describes Nzingha’s that can be used at a variety of levels include the struggle to help preserve her country’s political following titles: power. Rigoberta Menchu: Defending Human Dolores Huerta, by Frank Perez,9 focuses on Rights in Guatemala, by Michael Silverstone,16 Huerta’s role in forming the union of California tells of Menchú’s commitment to the Mayan migrant workers that later became known as the Quiche people as a leader and coordinator. United Farm Workers. Sandra Cisneros: Latina Writer and Activist Marina Silva: Defending Rainforest Com- (Hispanic Biographies Series), by Caryn Mir- munities in Brazil, by Ziporah Hildebrandt,30 Inc. Harcourt, Courtesy riam-Goldberg,17 focuses on Cisneros’s life as a spotlights Silva’s work as an environmental activ- writer/activist involved in improving her own ist. community. Native American Doctor: The Story of Susan The following books also offer a number of La Flesche Picotte, by Jeri Ferris (199 NCSS biographical portraits of extraordinary women: Carter G. Woodson Book Award winner),18 Women Who Achieved Greatness (0 narrates the life story of the first female Native Events Series), by Cathie Cush,31 contains short American to graduate from medical school. biographies of twenty women who are known for I Am Rosa Parks, by Rosa Parks with Jim a variety of achievements. Haskins (1998 Carter G. Woodson Book Award Profiles of Great Black Americans: Female winner),19 presents, in a form more easily acces- Leaders, by Richard Rennert,3 offers short biog- sible to younger readers, the story of Rosa Parks’s raphies of prominent black female leaders. involvement in civil rights. Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Wilma Mankiller (First Biographies), by Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought), by the Feminist Press, www. Press, Feminist the feministpress.org Gina Holland,0 features the first woman in Kathleen Krull,33 provides twenty biographies of modern history to lead a major Native Ameri- extraordinary women throughout history. can tribe. Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Wilma P. Mankiller: Chief of the Cherokee, Freedom Fighters, by Andrea Davis Pinkney,34 by Charnan Simon,1 explores the life of the first includes ten biographies of important black female leader of the Cherokee Nation. women from Sojourner Truth to Shirley Aung San Suu Kyi: Standing Up for Democ- Chisholm. racy in Burma (Women Changing the World), Women of Peace: Nobel Peace Prize Win- by Bettina Ling,22 is about the life of Burmese ners (Collective Biographies), by Anne Schraff,35 political activist Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was features nine women who have been awarded the awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. Nobel Peace Prize. Maya Lin, by Bettina Ling,3 details Lin’s work as a renowned architect. She designed the Teaching About Women and Social Justice: Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., Coming to Voice, Coming to Power and the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Teaching is a performative act. And it is Alabama. that aspect of our work that offers the Corazon Aquino (World Leaders Past & space for change, invention, sponta- Present), by Howard Chua-Eoan,4 portrays the neous shifts, that can serve as catalyst former Philippine leader’s involvement in social drawing out the unique elements in each Enslow Publishers, Inc. Publishers, Enslow January/February 2003 55 classroom. approaches. Allow students to comment on their A greater understanding of the connections –bell hooks36 personal experiences or the experiences of family between social justice and women’s struggles for members who have done similar things.