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Bold Words from Black Women: Inspiration and Truths from 50 Extraordinary Leaders Who Helped Shape Our World
Celebrate the power of Black womanhood in this first-of-its-kind collection of inspirational quotes from fifty activists, artists, and leaders, featuring bold, attention-grabbing illustrations—perfect for readers of Herstory and Little Leaders.
This incredible volume honors fifty modern women, presented with their own words, who have dared to raise their voices and persevere through hardship and injustice to become revolutionaries and dreamers, artists and creators.
Featuring women like musical powerhouse Beyoncé Knowles; tennis star Serena Williams; Meghan, Duchess of Sussex; and activist Angela Davis, this stylish book is perfect for any reader who is seeking grace, courage, strength, and self-love.
This incredible volume honors fifty modern women, presented with their own words, who have dared to raise their voices and persevere through hardship and injustice to become revolutionaries and dreamers, artists and creators.
Featuring women like musical powerhouse Beyoncé Knowles; tennis star Serena Williams; Meghan, Duchess of Sussex; and activist Angela Davis, this stylish book is perfect for any reader who is seeking grace, courage, strength, and self-love.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published January 18, 2022
1 person is currently reading
111 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 15, 2022
What a wonderful collection of inspiring women! It had beautiful illustrations too.
August 27, 2024
This illustrated book is so inspiring and motivating! I have this on my desk as pick me up daily! Amazingly done!
March 16, 2022
This book has a gorgeous design. The layout and typesetting look great, without anything distracting from the quotes, and the portraits of famous Black women are both stunningly artistic and immediately recognizable. Each page spread also includes a very brief, succinct bio.
However, even though this book looks amazing, I am disappointed that the author emphasized so many contemporary celebrities over historical figures and contemporary women in other fields. There are some historical Black women featured throughout this book, such as Maya Angelou, Josephine Baker, and Katherine Johnson, but the main emphasis is on contemporary entertainers and influencers. Some of these women have long-term name recognition, but others will pass out of a temporary spotlight, making this book look dated in just five to ten years.
To make matters worse, many of the celebrities and online influencers quoted here said extremely similar, redundant things about self-care. Their comments all blur together, and I wish that the author had chosen just a few highly current entertainers and their self-care comments, while devoting more of this book to powerful quotes from historical women who have stood the test of time.
I also wish that this book had represented more women from different career paths, instead of so heavily emphasizing actresses, fashion models, and influencers. Some of these women have truly had an impact on society, and I don't want to disrespect them or their work, but I wish that the lineup here had represented a range of scientists, politicians, authors, journalists, thinkers, and women in other fields, instead of primarily emphasizing glamorous entertainers.
However, even though this book looks amazing, I am disappointed that the author emphasized so many contemporary celebrities over historical figures and contemporary women in other fields. There are some historical Black women featured throughout this book, such as Maya Angelou, Josephine Baker, and Katherine Johnson, but the main emphasis is on contemporary entertainers and influencers. Some of these women have long-term name recognition, but others will pass out of a temporary spotlight, making this book look dated in just five to ten years.
To make matters worse, many of the celebrities and online influencers quoted here said extremely similar, redundant things about self-care. Their comments all blur together, and I wish that the author had chosen just a few highly current entertainers and their self-care comments, while devoting more of this book to powerful quotes from historical women who have stood the test of time.
I also wish that this book had represented more women from different career paths, instead of so heavily emphasizing actresses, fashion models, and influencers. Some of these women have truly had an impact on society, and I don't want to disrespect them or their work, but I wish that the lineup here had represented a range of scientists, politicians, authors, journalists, thinkers, and women in other fields, instead of primarily emphasizing glamorous entertainers.
February 4, 2022
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is Bold Words From Black Women: Inspiration and Truths from 50 Extraordinary Leaders Who Helped Shape Our World, written by Dr. Tamara Pizzoli and illustrated by Monica Ahanonu, a gorgeous collection of black female icons and their wise words.
“To say that in order to be accepted we must be stripped of everything that makes us unique is faulty in its very premise.” – Yara Shahidi. This stirring quote, along with 49 others from the same number of brilliant, bold, brave and beautiful black women fill the pages of this absolutely stunning compendium. Each two-page spread features a colorful portrait of its subject alongside an empowering quote and a short blurb on the woman quoted and the quote’s origin. Readers will meet actors, singers, athletes, writers, scientists, politicians, activists, world leaders and more, and be left feeling encouraged, enriched, and inspired by the final page.
A masterpiece. The combination of this masterfully-compiled group of women, their powerful words, and the incredibly eye-catching art and design is a recipe for a perfect title, and Pizzoli and Ananonu deliver, big time. Pizzoli wisely balances her lineup of subjects; there are women from history and modern icons, household names and lesser-known heroes, and women that not only represent a wide range of professions, but also hairstyles, body types, and skintones. Polymaths are identified as such (such as “Dee Dee Bridgewater / Jazz singer. Producer. Songwriter. UN goodwill ambassador.”). The artwork is absolutely striking, employing pop art and color blocking to create powerful larger-than-life portraits. This one takes longer than a storytime to get through, but the large print and remarkable art makes it a title for all ages; JJ and I both loved it. One quibble: actor Amandla Stenberg, who identifies as non-binary, is misgendered by her inclusion. It would have been nice if her blurb had at least mentioned her gender identity, but it did not. Beyond that, this is a flawless book. And while all readers will have something positive to take away from it, the value that this one has for young black girls is limitless. Baby Bookworm approved!
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
February 1, 2022
Truly inspiring, this book showcases quotes from 50 Influential black women, living and dead, and from all walks of life. Each two-page spread shows a bold and color illustration of the woman, a quote by her in big and bold text, her name, what she is known for, her birth (and death, where applicable) date, and where the quote came from.
Check it out!
Check it out!
June 9, 2023
This book is a shining, colorful gem. I adore the pop art style, the inclusion of women not just from history, but who are currently influential, and the quotes themselves are well-chosen. There is, I'm sure, stuff to critique about who was chosen, but honestly, the words are phenomenal and the message is spot on.
Everything about this book is bold, and I'm here for it.
Everything about this book is bold, and I'm here for it.
January 21, 2022
I absolutely love this book with it's vibrant bright colors of different women some I know and others I am discovering. The quotes are empowering and inspirational. This is the coffee table to have!!
July 5, 2022
Though the quotes vary in impactfulness (Whoopi Goldberg's "Normal is just a cycle on the washing machine" has become more of a joke than actual advice), it's important to see Black women excelling in different fields and for Black girls to have that representation.
November 7, 2020
A beautiful book! Each page features a black woman, an impactful quote, and a little bit about each woman. The quotes are inspiring and encouraging, the artwork bold and stunning.
February 2, 2022
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING The love and respect I’m these quotes are awe-inspiring. The artsy of this book puts it over the top. This is a coffee table book with historic and artist flair.
February 3, 2022
Lovely set of quotes from amazing, inspiring Black women. Short bios on each woman along with her date of birth (and death) and her quote. Bold words and images are very eye catching!
February 14, 2022
Quotes from Black women. Beautifully illustrated and words of wisdom for all ages.
March 13, 2022
Beautiful illustrations and nice quotes. I would prefer to have them as a note card set than in a book.
October 9, 2022
I absolutely loved reading this book. It's packed with colorful illustrations, brief biographies, and thought-provoking quotes. Everyone should give this a read.
November 14, 2022
“Listen to Black Women” Quotes of empowerment given by high profile Black women from all aspects of life.
December 23, 2022
Borrowed from the library, but I think I'm going to buy an actual copy for myself. Very inspirational no matter how old you are.
April 25, 2023
Love it!!!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews