Run Like A Girl: A Memoir of Ambition, Resilience, and Fighting for Change

by Catherine McKenna

An inspiring feminist memoir.

From Olympic dreams to the frontlines of politics and climate action, Run Like a Girl is a bold, unfiltered memoir from Catherine McKenna, Canada's former Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Known for leading the charge on Canada's carbon pricing plan and enduring sexist attacks as "Climate Barbie," McKenna shares an inspiring journey of reinvention, resilience, and defiance in the face of expectations.

With a unique scrapbook-style format, this book blends personal anecdotes, political battles, and reflections on balancing ambition, motherhood, and activism. McKenna recounts her fight for climate policy, the ups and downs of her public service, the tough decision to leave politics, and her new mission to empower women in leadership.

For fans of Becoming by Michelle Obama and No Logo by Naomi Klein, Run Like a Girl is an urgent, deeply personal story about finding your own path, breaking the rules, and fighting for the future—on your own terms.

Genres: Biography Memoir, Politics, Nonfiction, Canadian Literature

312 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2025

Reviews

[Aidan Bonner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very digestible read that feels more like an intimate scrapbook than a conventional memoir. It’s refreshing to read a memoir from a Canadian politician rather than one from south of the border. I’d followed McKenna’s career loosely and knew she’d been a target of partisanship, but her reflections on the intersectionality of being a woman in politics, especially as Minister of Environment and Climate Change, were eye-opening and at times, difficult to read. The behind-the-scenes look at the Trudeau government and its shortcomings was interesting but ultimately made McKenna’s eventual decision to return to NGO work, where she seems to make the most impact, understandable.

[Al Kruzins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding
Followed her career a bit also living in Hamilton
Loved the personal stories and nice book layout with photos postcards etc
Few have done this
So proud of what she has done for climate change
Leaving politics without a cushy pension
Quite admirable
Going off on new career with climate women
Awesome
Go Catherine Go!

[Sophia Navarro Barron · Rating 5 out of 5]

a grounded and inspiring memoir from a badass Canadian

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed the scrapbook style and I found it very inspiring