An inspiring and radical celebration of 70 women, girls, and gender nonbinary folks who have changed--and are still changing--the world, from the Civil Rights Movement and Stonewall riots through today.
Foreword by Tegan and Sara vi
Introduction viii
LAYING THE GROUNDWORK 1
Sylvia Rivera & Marsha P. Johnson 5
Lorraine Hansberry 8
Patsy Takemoto Mink 11
Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson & Katherine Johnson 12
LEADING THE MOVEMENT 17
Kimberlé Crenshaw 23
Alicia Garza 24
Patrisse Cullors 27
Opal Tometi 28
Carmen Perez 31
Linda Sarsour 32
Tamika D. Mallory 35
SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER 37
Allison Renville 41
Brittany Packnett 42
Geraldine Roman 45
Jamilah Lemieux 46
Janet Mock 49
Keah Brown 50
Manal al-Sharif 53
Rokhaya Diallo 54
Dr. Roxane Gay 57
Sandy Ho 58
THE REVOLUTION WILL BE LIVE 61
Ava DuVernay 65
Cameron Esposito 66
Constance Wu 69
Ellen DeGeneres 70
Leslie Jones 73
Missy Elliott 74
Oprah Winfrey 77
Serena Williams 78
Solange Knowles 81
MASTERING MODERN MEDIA 83
Aditi Juneja 87
Amandla Stenberg 88
Feminista Jones 91
Franchesca Ramsey 92
Issa Rae 95
Jackie Aina 96
Kat Blaque 99
Michelle Phan 100
Mona Haydar 103
Taye Hansberry 104
Vilissa Thompson 107
THE REVOLUTION WILL BE OURS 109
Dr. Adrienne Keene 113
Alencia Johnson 114
Anjali Paray 117
Jennicet Gutiérrez 118
Layshia Clarendon 121
Lori Rodriguez 122
Raquel Willis 125
Dr. Su’ad Abdul Khabeer 126
Winnie Harlow 129
THE REVOLUTION WILL BE FUNDED 131
Amani Al-Khatahtbeh 135
Alissa Lentz 136
Eman Idil Bare 139
Ibtihaj Muhammad 140
Leslie Mac & Marissa Jenae Johnson 143
Rihanna 147
Shannon Coulter 148
Tegan & Sara 151
THE REVOLUTION IS NOW 153
Jazz Jennings 157
Mari Copeny 158
Marley Dias 161
Taylor Richardson 162
Yara Shahidi 165
Conclusion 166
Glossary Terms, Events, and Phrases 167
People 173
Organizations 180
Hashtags 185
About the Author 187
About the Illustrator 188
Acknowledgments 190
Index 192
Blair Imani is a critically acclaimed historian, author, educator, and influencer. The New York Times praised her unique ability to create "progressive lessons with vibrant visuals and a perky, quirky delivery." Her viral microlearning series Smarter In Seconds demonstrates her signature style of making abstract concepts more concrete in a well-researched, well-presented, and concise manner. She is the author of Read This to Get Smarter about Race, Class, Gender, Disability, and More; Making Our Way Home- The Great Migration and the Black American Dream; and Modern HERstory- Stories of Women and Nonbinary People Rewriting History. Her work centers women and girls, global Black communities, and the LGBTQ community. As an educator and influencer, semi-retired organizer, and public speaker, Blair Imani is dedicated to making the world a better place and amplifying the voices and work of those fighting the good fight.
“Activist, journalist, and founder of the non-profit Equality for
HER, Imani’s book is the one we need during the #MeToo and Black
Lives Matter movements…This collection would be a welcome addition
to any introductory women’s, gender, and sexuality studies course.
It should also be shared among feminists and those passionate about
fighting oppression based on class, disability, gender, race, and
sexuality.”
– Library Journal (starred review)
“Blair Imani is an agent of social change who uses her background
in grassroots activism to tell the stories of revolutionaries, both
past and present, who are the catalysts of change our world so
desperately needs, but you don’t have to take my word for it.”
–LeVar Burton, actor, educator, and activist
“Modern HERstory should be required reading for everyone.”
–Tegan and Sara
“Blair Imani educates readers about the HERstory of unsung heroes
who work tirelessly to make the world a better place for all, while
simultaneously blazing a trail of her own as a pioneer in activism
for the next generation. Today, so many young women and LGBTQ
people lack positive role models, and this book is an important
step to inspiring the next generation of people to aim high and be
proud.”
–Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of GLAAD
“Blair Imani has given us an encyclopedia not just of the often
overlooked in history, but also of the people who are changing the
direction of our country today—this is who to follow, watch,
celebrate, and emulate. We need these role models and fighters—and
this book!”
–Dawn Laguens, executive vice president and chief brand officer of
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
"Modern HERstory shines a remarkable light on important figures
from our past, while inspiring new generations to be bold,
courageous, and unafraid to stand up for what is right."
–Andrew Aydin, National Book Award–winning author of March and
Run
“Through powerful storytelling and bright images, Blair Imani sends
a clear message to next-generation activists and changemakers--this
is their moment, they are the present, the now, and yes, the
future. Instead of waiting to be passed the proverbial torch, the
heroes in Imani's book claim their role as torchbearers whose
lights are blazing inspiring trails for each of us to follow.”
–Jamia Wilson, executive director and publisher of Feminist
Press
“I had chills while reading this entire book. THE ENTIRE BOOK. I
was moved, inspired, and informed by the stories of these
unbelievable people. I was also indignant: how could my history
classes not have included such important pioneers?! Run out
immediately and purchase multiple copies to send to your friends. I
promise, they'll thank you.”
–Claire Wasserman, CEO and founder of Ladies Get Paid
“Changing society’s narrative often requires us to look back over
our historical mosaic; admit what we got wrong; recognize who was
silenced, marginalized or erased; and then reorganize and rewrite.
Modern HERstory offers an inclusive approach to this kind of
truth-telling.”
–Monica Lewinsky, anti-bullying advocate
“Modern HERstory is an empowering and educational read, filled with
the stories of activists you should know and names that should fill
our history books. In these turbulent political times, Blair
Imani's first book reminds us that the change we need will only
come from a coalition of activists working across differences and
movements.”
–Sarah McBride, author of Tomorrow Will Be Different
“Blair Imani's Modern HERstory is a major contribution to the
exhausting and endlessly important project of broadening our shared
narrative. I wish I had a book like this growing up.”
–Lauren Duca, award-winning journalist
“Blair Imani's book is essential reading. These powerful stories of
activism and bravery will amaze and inspire. This book opens our
ears to the neglected voices of herstory. May those voices--and
many more--be heard!”
–Emma Sulkowicz, artist and activist
"Blair Imani's Modern HERstory is like a woman's heart. Filled with
compassion, understanding, and acceptance, the book embraces women
of diverse experiences, including transwomen like myself, in order
to inspire people to aspire and work for a happier and more
inclusive society for all. When you feel like giving up, you have
got to read this book!”
–Representative Geraldine Roman, first openly transgender
member of the Philippines Congress
"With Modern HERstory, Blair Imani provides readers with crucial
insight to understanding modern social justice movements in a way
that is both vital and accessible. By shining a light on
contemporary women and nonbinary people who are making history in
real time, some lesser known than others, Imani reminds readers
that heroes can emerge from anywhere, that activism takes many
shapes and forms, and that history is not simply a matter of the
past but something occurring in real time and in powerfully
unexpected ways. The people presented here do not represent a new
type of activism; rather, they represent people who've long been
present in freedom movements and are too often overlooked."
–Bree Newsome, artist and activist
"Modern HERstory is a necessary part of any budding revolutionary’s
library. Blair Imani has compiled over 70 stories of
self-actualization from figures across a wide array of faith
traditions, cultural origins, and social strata. It’s a major and
inspiring feat that is necessary for our times. Everyone should
feel represented, and Imani’s work elevates and preserves the
history of women and femmes in a way that is empowering for diverse
women/femmes everywhere. As a grassroots community organizer, I’m
using this book as a resource so that I am grounded in all the ways
women/femmes have fought for our collective liberation. This is a
clear reminder of the power that all women/femmes have, and of the
magical ways in which, despite the forms of violence we face, we
exist, resist and create together.”
–Rana Abdelhamid, CEO and founder of MALIKAH, gender justice
organizer
"A lively collective portrait of passionate, pioneering women and
nonbinary people."
–Publishers Weekly
". . .accessible, awe-inspiring. . . .a new textbook of history’s
heroes, free of erasure and white-male bias. . . .Imani’s
collection is galvanizing and hopeful, leaving the radicals of
tomorrow with proof that all people—no matter their race, gender
identity, sexual orientation, or abilities—can change the
world."
–Booklist (starred review)
". . .an important introduction to social justice work,
specifically that which pertains to racial, sexual, religious, and
ableist discrimination and oppression. It provides a quick and
accessible reference source for anyone interested in how change can
be effected from various levels, from the academic front to
grass-roots movements. It will show readers that activists are not
monolithic and that they themselves are never too young, small, or
different to work toward change. A crucial message of inclusivity
and sensitivity is present throughout. This engaging work is
about movers and shakers—folks who made moves and shook up the
status quo for the betterment of all."
–Kirkus
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