Our Brave Foremothers - by Rozella Kennedy (Hardcover)

About the Book

Inspired by her own foremothers' legacies, debut author Rozella Kennedy centers and celebrates the life stories of 100 Black, Brown, Asian, and Indigenous women--both famous and little-known--who changed the course of US history.

Book Synopsis

Inspired by her own foremothers' legacies and the friendships formed throughout her life, Rozella Kennedy centers and celebrates the stories of 100 Black, Brown, Asian, and Indigenous women--both famous and little-known--who changed the course of US history.

In the beautiful pages of Our Brave Foremothers, discover an intergenerational, intercultural bouquet of Black, Brown, Asian, and Indigenous women lifted into the significance that they deserve. - From Etel Adnan to Mary Jones, Thelma Garcia Buchholdt to Pura Belpré to Zitkála-Sá, here are 100 women of color who left a lasting mark on United States history. Including both famous and little-known names, the thoughtful profiles and detailed portraits of these women herald their achievements and passions. - Following each entry is a prompt that asks you to connect your life to theirs, an inspiring way to understand their influence and the power of their stories. To consider on a deeper level the devotedness of Clara Brown, the fearlessness of Jovita Idár, the guts of Grace Lee Boggs, or the selflessness of Martha Louise Morrow Foxx. And to be as brave as we each can be--and then beyond that.

Review Quotes

"Kennedy compiles short, eminently readable biographies of one-hundred Black, Brown, Asian, and Indigenous women in this interactive book...Activists, artists, athletes, and scientists all receive long overdue recognition in this attractive volume that is well-suited for public library and circulating reference collections. This engaging illustrated volume is well-suited to young scholars." --Booklist

"At a time when women's history is being lifted up, this accessible work will edify casual and academic readers and may be used as a reference for some." --Library Journal

"An essential book that connects us to our past and current sisters and reminds us that each of our stories matters." --Ruth Chan, illustrator and author

"A long overdue portrayal of inspiring hidden figures whose stories needed to be told to the world." --Rokhaya Diallo, journalist, writer, and award-winning filmmaker

"Our Brave Foremothers sheds truth on old perceptions and gives us stories both informative and inspiring about women who paved the way for generations of women to follow." --Audrey Edwards, former executive editor of Essence magazine and author of American Runaway: Black and Free in Paris in the Trump Years

"Our Brave Foremothers is the book that every family should have on their coffee table. It's a visual encyclopedia of greatness for our future generation to know about the work done by these important women." --Joy Cho, author and founder of Oh Joy!

About the Author

Rozella Kennedy has dedicated her work and life to uplifting issues of culture, belonging, authentic allyship, and intercultural celebration and solidarity. She is the creator of the Brave Sis Project and the Director of Impact and Equity for the global consulting firm Camber Collective. A native New Yorker, she now lives on the West Coast with her husband and their Caribbean Potcake dog, Pippa.

Joelle Avelino is an Angolan and Congolese illustrator. She has illustrated several titles including Hey You!, a 2022 British Book Awards winner. Her animation project with the Malala Fund was featured as one of Design Week's favorite International Women's Day projects of 2020.