Ladies First: 40 Daring American Women Who Were Second to None

by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

Ladies First introduces young readers to 40 American women of achievement who were first in their field. A full-page portrait begins each informative three-page profile. The life stories of these women are as inspiring as they are diverse.The book provides a vital starting point for report writers and researchers, and a rich source of information for fact lovers of all ages.Who was the first woman to row across the Atlantic? Or to swim the English Channel? Or to graduate from medical school? A rich source of educational and historic material for students, the book also highlights inspirational role models for girls.Who was the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize? And the first to win a Nobel Prize for Literature? Who was the first female African-American self-made millionaire? And the first African-American Poet Laureate? Author Elizabeth Cody Kimmel presents a rich cross-section of profiles from a broad range of endeavors.Which American woman became the first to win three gold medals at a single Olympics? Who was the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest? Who was New York's first female firefighter? And who was the first woman to command a U.S. Navy warship?The answers to all these questions are in this engaging National Geographic title that belongs in every home, school, and library where young women are encouraged to strive toward greatness.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Biography, Historical

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Jaymie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book introduces you to so many incredible women. I loved getting to know just a little about each one. They were all so neat and interesting. Some I would like to know more about specifically. This book is good if you aren’t really into reading a whole biography on a certain person but also inspires you to find one you want to know more about.
I listened to this and that was great!
A perfect book for Women’s History month! This would be great for kids.

“If you want to do something that is really important to you. Surround yourself with honorable people and it’s really really hard to fail. One stroke at a time one step at a time the impossible is easy to achieve.” -Victoria Murden


*Margaret Bourke-White
*Shirley Muldowney
*Georgia O’Keeffe
*Gertrude Ederle
*Elizabeth Blackwell
*Victoria Murden
*Jane Addams
*Nellie Bly
*Phillis Wheatley
*Katherine Switzer
*Antonia Novello

[Bambi · Rating 5 out of 5]

40 American Women trailblazers who broke with the social norms of their time to become firsts among their field. Each woman’s story is told in short, under 5 minute snippets. My curiosity was peaked and I found myself doing my own research for each one woman.
I believe this is a middle school level book. A good read for young and old.

[Makenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this book as a family for women’s history month! What incredible stories!! It seemed every one of these women had some form of adversity that they overcame!

[Julia Brodsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, ladies first, was an excellent example of some of the many women who have made history. There isn’t a specific genre of accomplishments. Some of the categories are about dancers, some about climbers, and some about dog racing. There are ones that focus on science, women’s rights and music. It has many excellent descriptions of 40 who were the first to different things. The descriptions of each person were about a page and a half long, and talked about there early life and how they got to achieve great things.

[Edy Gies · Rating 3 out of 5]

These were just snipets about incredible women, but I found it very interesting. Each woman has an inspiring quote and the tone is one that encourages women to be awesome by showing them awesome examples instead of displaying amazing women and implying that the reader doesn't know about them because the world hates women.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent source of information and inspiration. Some of these women, sadly, I had never heard of and I am grateful to have read a little about them.

[Sade Graves]

Citation: Kimmel, Elizabeth Cody. (c2006.). Ladies first : 40 daring American women who were second to none. Washington : National Geographic.
Citation by: Sade Graves
Call Number: 920.72 KIM
Description: Biography reference including stories of 40 women who made a difference and were daring!
Relevance and Relationship: This is another excellent addition to the library which serves the purpose of updating the collection to reflect the all girl student body. Also, to show the female population it is ok to be gutsy and take risk to achieve your goals.
Purpose: To show inspiring tales of women who took risk and achieve great goals.
Validity: National Geographic is a reputable publisher which has published many books in our school library.
Format: 192 pages with illustrations
Arrangement and Presentation: 40 biographies of women.
Professional Review: Glantz, S. (2007). Ladies First: 40 Daring American Women Who Were Second to None. Library Media Connection, 25(4), 79.

[Loegwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book I recommend to women looking for inspiring role models, but what disappointed me about the book was it wasn't that a lady had been the first to do the job, it was just she had been the first woman to try. I had expected that, and I didn't see it.

However, it was a very interesting read; slightly dry, but a very good read nontheless. It just could have been written better.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Girls ROCK!
This would be an excellent book for a young girl - it highlights 40 women who were the first in their fields to accomplish something. First woman to get a pilot's license, first to summit Everest, first to become a doctor....awesome stories, awesome women.

It is limited to just American women but nonetheless could be quite inspiring for an adventurous daughter, niece, granddaughter.

[Robin Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Among the familiar names were lots of women who I'd never heard of. I didn't realize until I started reading that this was a teen book, and the slightly dumbed down writing annoyed me a little. Overall it was interesting but more palatable read in short spurts.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more but it just didn't grab me.

[Shannan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great concept, strangely unengaging.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy and interesting read about inspirational women - some you might have heard of, and others you probably haven't. I particularly enjoyed the quotes from each one!