Inspiring women who wrote remarkable books.

The patriarchal constraints that sought to confine remarkable women inspired them to be more creative. Women used pen names as their secret weapons to break free from societal shackles. The stark reality faced by women writers in history forced women to use pseudonyms to tell their stories.

Changing the course of history and literature by overcoming the barriers that society placed upon us like, gender biases, etc. We take a heartfelt journey through the lives of these extraordinary women who became some of the greatest storytellers of our time, etching their names into history while being forced into the shadows.

 Here are a few examples.

1.      George Elliot aka Mary Ann Evans

A prominent Victorian novelist adopted a pseudo-name to tackle subjects often dismissed as unbecoming for women.  One, of her renowned books, “Middlemarch delves deep into human nature and society, and her understanding of the character dynamics showcases her immense talent.

2.      Currer, Ellis and Anton Bell aka Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte

In the 19th century the Bronte sisters, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne wrote their iconic novels under male pseudo names. They sought to counter the prejudice against women writers in that era. They wrote timeless classics that offer powerful insights into women’s lives and societal constraints, e.g. Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre”, Emily Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights”, and Anne Bronte’s “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall”.

3.      Isak Dinesen aka Karen Blixen

The illustrious works of Karen Blixen a Denmark author wrote under the name Isak Dinesen. She captured her life in Kenya in a memoir detailing the countries beauty and her human experience in the book “Out of Africa”.

4.      George Sand aka Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin

Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin was a trailblazing woman who adopted the name Geroge Sand and was a passionate novelist who challenged gender norms. She explored themes of love, gender, and societal inequality through her works such as “Indiana” and Consuelo”. Her main focus was to claim her place as a serious literary voice in a male-dominated world.

These remarkable storytellers revealed the stark reality faced by women writers in history while enabling their powerful literary contributions to be heard and appreciated.

These powerhouse writers paved the way for writers like these;

10 books written by women that can inspire women:

1. "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

2. "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail" by Cheryl Strayed

3. "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead" by Sheryl Sandberg

4. "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood

5. "Bad Feminist" by Roxane Gay

6. "My Life on the Road" by Gloria Steinem

7. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

8. "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

9. "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker

10. "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain

These books cover a wide range of topics and genres, and they have the potential to inspire women in various ways.

No obstacle is insurmountable when armed with talent, resilience, and unshakable drive, these remarkable women not only etched their names in history but also paved the way for other female writers to let their voices be heard. They broke down barriers and left an indelible mark on history that has made an impact on all women who follow in their footsteps.