If you look up womenshistorymonth.gov, you will find the following statement:
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.
That sounds very cool, but I’m celebrating in not quite so cerebral a way – by sharing with you some of my favorite books, movies and podcasts about women, by women and for women. Consume with me, won’t you?
Books
My first love, reading, produced my longest list.
- The Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery. The favorite of many. But I didn’t love it as much as…
- The Emily Starr trilogy by L.M. Montgomery. I fell in love with Emily Climbs as a 15 year old. She was an aspiring writer just like me. I was in my 30’s before I realized it was the SECOND in a series and ordered the other two. As of this writing you can get all three on Kindle for only $2.49! Don’t sleep on it.
- The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. Even though Anne Frank’s story shares similarities and is much more popular, I think this woman’s book is even more compelling.
- The Little House on the Prairie Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. These books felt like a classic rite of passage for girls of my generation. And piling onto a two person loveseat as a family of 5 to watch the TV show is a treasured childhood memory.
- That a woman wrote about racial prejudice and tensions in 1960 and went on to win the Pulitzer Prize makes To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee a must read for everyone.
- The Help by Kathryn Stockett, although written in 2012, deals with similar themes. The movies for both of these are worth a watch as well.
- Wally Funk’s Race for Space: The Extraordinary Story of a Female Aviation Pioneer by Sue Nelson might not interest you as much as me. I happen to know Wally as she is a regular patron of the REC center where I work. But if the history of flight and space travel gets your juices flowing, check out this story of one of the members of the Mercury 13 (Women in Space Program) of 1961.
- I know the next one too. Sort-of. I have worked with Anna LeBaron, author and subject of The Polygamist’s Daughter, virtually and I greatly admire her story. It’s a fascinating tale of life in and escape from a dangerous cult.
- America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kemole builds a somewhat fictional retelling of the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and his oldest daughter by reading between the lines of their actual letters to each other.
- The Magnolia Story gives us the background on superstar decorator Joanna Gaines and her husband – taking you from their college days to the dawn of an empire.
- Did you know famous chef Julia Child worked as a government spy? I had no idea until my sister told me about A Covert Affair: Julia Child and Paul Child in the OSS by Jennet Conant.
- The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor’s Journey into Christian Faith by Rosario Butterfield traces the way God turned one woman’s life completely on end. Riveting.
- The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian leads us into the next few selections on bible study. This book opened my eyes to the power of praying scripture for others – a skill I am still learning much about today.
- Is the Bible Good for Women?: Seeking Clarity and Confidence Through a Jesus-Centered Understanding of Scripture by Wendy Alsup explores and answers questions about the true meaning of some biblical edicts about women.
- When it comes to this author, I have to fight back the urge to jump up and down and scream, “I know her, I know her”. You know, Elf style. But I’ll just say that Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both our Hearts and our Minds by Jen Wilkin is a fantastic resource by one of the best women bible teachers of our generation.
I could list so many more but you only have so much time to read – books and this post. So we move on to…
Movies
Wonder Woman. She’s beautiful, smart, strong and BA. What more could you want?- A League of Their Own. As long as you remember that there’s no crying in baseball!
- Hidden Figures tells the true story of three brainy broads who were instrumental in launching John Glenn into space. And with a PG rating it’s great for the whole family.
- Million Dollar Baby draws you into the tough and vulnerable world of a female boxer.
- The Blind Side shows the true representation of a strong southern mama who takes in a down and out teen and helps him reach his potential as a football superstar. I’m kind of a sucker for sports movies.
- Sandra Bullock does it again as an astronaut who survives disaster on her own when her partner is lost in space. Gravity feels heavy and light at the same time.
- On a much lighter side, Pitch Perfect crowns a girls’ acapella group the champs. If you love music, sing along.
- Frozen gives us Disney princesses who aren’t all about the guy.
- And last, we can find a lot wrong with a movie as old as Gone With the Wind. But if you can forgive the indiscretions of a 1939 film, you just might get behind the iron will of heroine Scarlett O’Hara. Keep your finger on the pause button for potty breaks and have lots of snacks on hand for this 3 hour and 40 minute spectacle.
TV Shows
- Lots of laughs and great characters as a woman adjusts to 3 male roommates in New Girl.
- Downton Abbey rocks as an ensemble drama, but *spoiler* Mary Crawley emerges as a matriarch extraordinaire during a much more traditional time.
- Lucille Ball broke barriers and funny bones when she landed her own show, I Love Lucy.
- As a former ditsy model turned hot shot lawyer, Brooke Elliott charms everyone and gives a boost to all of us little chubby girls in Drop Dead Diva.
- Don’t come at me, but Carol Burnett may be funnier than Lucille Ball. Check out The Carol Burnett Show before you decide.
Designing Women delivered southern sass in a successful and well-decorated package.
And I’ll finish up with a couple of…
Podcasts
- That Sounds Fun with Annie F Downs is one of the deepest, most vulnerable and funniest podcasts I subscribe to. And the topics and guests are so interesting. Get into it. And check out any of her books while you are at it.
- The Big Boo Cast with Melanie Shankle and Sophie Hudson is the listening equivalent of a bowl of homemade soup on a cold day. It’s warm, comforting and quickly becomes familiar. It’s just right. And these ladies are funny – on the podcast and in their books.
There are so many more treats I could list, but this might get you started on your coronavirus quarantine. If you were putting together this list, what would you add?
One more thing! I am excited and honored to be a contributing author for Prayer: Approaching the Throne of Grace – a 26 week devotional and journal now in pre-orders! This beautiful hardback resource is only $15.98 right now. Go to devotableapp.com right now to order. 
And now for this week’s featured post!
The Everyday Grace of a Burden Bearer by Michele Morin of Living Our Days is a perfect Lenten season read. I’m so thankful for a Savior with shoulders big and strong enough for all we lay on Him. Hop over to Michele’s blog and read the post!
Now for this week’s link-up! Let’s bless and encourage one another in our walk with the Lord.
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Maree Dee
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As I sit here listening to Shelby’s music therapy session and know that within a few hours I will have a houseful of guests, my mind is not much for writing. This may not be my best attempt, but I have failed to set aside time as I’ve cooked and cleaned and made preparations for Thanksgiving. So it’s now or never (for this week anyway).
