“…a deep well of inspiration…”
– Stephanie Gorton, award-winning author of The Icon and the Idealist

Get motivated by the grit of groundbreaking women!
In Women Make History: Fifty-Three Stories of Courage, Strength & Resilience, you’ll meet trailblazing women whose accomplishments have been dismissed, forgotten, or wrongly attributed. Spanning from Colonial America to the late 20th century, you’ll be immersed in a kaleidoscope of backgrounds and experiences including:
Gladys West, the brilliant African American mathematician who struggled to find work in the 1950s because of Jim Crow laws, yet went on to invent the critical components of GPS.
Susan La Flesche Picotte, the first Native American physician, who cared for 1,300 people across 1,200 miles of Nebraska plains in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Meg Crane, who designed the first home pregnancy test and improved women’s lives worldwide, launched a multi-million-dollar enterprise in the 1960s, but never profited from her invention.
Once you’ve read Women Make History, you’ll never forget how the courage of one’s convictions can illuminate a path forward for everyone.
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The Forever Book Club ♥️
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 7:00 p.m. Sandy, UT
More praise for Women Make History
“…A must-have collection for those who love to read about adventurous and daring women, each as compelling as she is determined…”
– JENNIFER JORDAN, author of Savage Summit: The Life and Death of the First Women of K2
“Women Make History is an illuminating and irreverent anthology, ranging widely over past and present. Replete with powerful stories, irresistible conversation starters, and beautiful illustrations, this book is a deep well of inspiration.”
– Stephanie Gorton, award-winning author of The Icon and the Idealist
“…An important book, documenting the legacy of the heroic women on whose shoulders today’s feminists stand. From warrior women to poets, this book is a vital tool for every woman looking for inspiration in our troubling times, as well as academics and writers.”
– Trish MacEnulty, author of The Delafield & Malloy Investigations
“These brief biographies…illuminate how far we’ve come, but also raise questions about where we are now in terms of social, racial, or economic equality. Each story serves as a springboard for further discussion, making it perfect for book clubs, classes, and discussion groups for all ages.”
– Helen Frink, author and Professor Emerita, Keene State College
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Judith Heumann: Warrior Activist
Read more »: Judith Heumann: Warrior ActivistIn 1947, eighteen-month-old Judith Heumann contracted polio, leaving her unable to walk. Throughout her life, she experienced unrelenting discrimination from every sector of society, including education, employment opportunities, politics, and law. But Heumann used it all as a catalyst to change how we think about people with disabilities and implement practical solutions.
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Kuniko Terasawa: A Quiet, Persistent Strength
Read more »: Kuniko Terasawa: A Quiet, Persistent StrengthIn 1941, when the US entered World War II, many Japanese Americans, especially those living along the West Coast, were forced from their homes and businesses and imprisoned in camps in rural areas. Kuniko Terasawa, a Japanese widow, mother of two, and owner of the Japanese- language newspaper, The Utah Nippo, defied the odds. She convinced government authorities to allow her to continue publishing.

About the Author
Sharon Spaulding has written for Ms. magazine, Smithsonian.com, New Hampshire Magazine, and other publications. A grant from the Schlesinger Library forwarded her research on Mary Ware Dennett, a 20th-century reproductive rights activist. Sharon writes a monthly newsletter, “Women Make History: Stories We Should Have Learned in School.” A fun and fascinating speaker, she enjoys sharing these stories with book clubs and civic groups. Sharon lives near Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband and her dog, Hank.







