Women's History Month 2021 - Real Life and Fictional Heroines in Books, Movies, and Games

This week on the blog we are sharing lists of books, movies, and games with strong female characters for readers, movie-lovers and gamers of all ages. You will find both real and fictional characters to inspire you.

In addition, below these lists, you will find some great information about two amazing women in STEM.

Heroines in Books

There are lots of books featuring strong female protagonists in compelling stories. This list compiled by Common Sense Media includes books with universal appeal for kids of different ages and tastes, from best-selling picture books to young adult novels in just about every genre.

You will find this great list of books for ages 4- 14+ HERE

Movies with Strong Female Characters

This list is also from Common Sense Media and you will find movies appropriate for ages 4 - 17+ right HERE

It is important to talk to kids about how women are portrayed in the media and what kinds of stereotypes they see. Enjoy these movies with positive role models and empowering leading ladies.

“From memorable fictional characters like Elsa, Hermione, and Katniss to real-life heroes like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Misty Copeland, and Bethany Hamilton, strong, smart girls and women are getting the spotlight they deserve.” Common Sense Media

Games with Strong Female Characters

Last but not least, here are some cool games with awesome female characters.

These games are appropriate for kids ages 8+ to 17+. You will see the appropriate ages noted in the list right HERE

Women in STEM

Thanks to Michelle Hernandez for the information below about some incredible Women in STEM.

Dorothy Vaughan: Born in Kansas City, Missouri, was the first African American female promoted to supervise and staff a team of human computers at NACA and NASA, at Langley Research Center, in Hampton, Virginia. Vaughan prepared for the applications of machine computers in the early 1960's by teaching herself and her colleagues Fortran (programming language). Vaughan later supervised the programming section of the Analysis and Computation Division, at Langley, a racially and gender-integrated group, trailblazing the electronic computing field at NASA. She also contributed to the launch mission into orbit, Scout Launch Vehicle Program. 'Her legacy lives on in the successful careers of notable West Computing alumni, including Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, Eunice Smith and Kathryn Peddrew, and the achievements of second-generation mathematicians and engineers, like Dr. Christine Darden.' (S, M , 2016). Vaughan was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. On November 6, 2020, "Dorothy", COSPAR 2020-79D a satellite named after her was launched into space.

Shetterly, Margot Lee; Loff, Sarah (2016-11-22). "Dorothy Vaughan Biography". NASA. March 3, 2021

"Ten Satellogic Earth-imaging satellites successfully launched". Spaceflight Now. 6 November 2020. March 3, 2021.
"Dorothy Vaughan: NASA's 'Human Computer' and American Hero". interestingengineering.com. 2018-03-11. March 3, 2021

Vaughan (first from left to right) with her human computer colleagues

Ruth Rogan Benerito:

Born in New Orleans, this American chemist is a regarded innovator in biochemistry. Benerito is credited with saving the cotton industry in post-WWII America through her discovery of a new chemical process called "cross-linking" that produces more than wrinkle-free (wash-and-wear) cotton fabrics, making them stain-free and flame-resistant also. This was achieved by the process of crosslinking the weaker chemical bonds. Also, crosslinking lets a range of chemicals be affixed to the polymer strands making them stain resistant and flame resistant. Benerito headed the team that also contributed in the development of a method to harvest fats from seeds for use in intravenous feeding of medical patients. Benerito also taught university courses for an additional eleven years after retiring from USDA. She received the Garvan-Olin Medal, given by the American Chemical Society, the Lemelson-MIT Lifetime Achievement Award for Invention and Innovation, and she is in the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Fox, Margalit (7 October 2013). "Ruth Benerito, Cotton Chemist of Permanent Press Renown, Dies at 97". New York Times. March 3, 2021;

Vernon, Sophie (1981). "Profiles in Science Ruth Benerito: Using Basic Physical Chemistry to Solve Practical Problems". VisionLearning. March 3, 2021)
Ruth Photo by: Lemelson-MIT Program