Ten biographies of women reformers from around the world who have made a difference in the realms of politics, social equality, disability, and women’s rights. From the work of abolitionist Sojourner Truth and women like South Africa’s anti-apartheid activist Ruth First and America’s feminist leader Gloria Steinem. Also included are Michelle Douglas, a campaigner for lesbian and gay rights, and Temple Grandin, advocate for the rights of animals and a woman who has revolutionized the way the world looks at people with autism. The collection of biographies is rounded out with the stories of France’s Olympe de Gouges, India’s Sarojini Naidu, American Joan Baez, and Canadians Leilani Muir and Shannen Koostachin.

Joy Crysdale is an educator and award-winning journalist who worked at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and CTV Television for more than 20 years as a producer, executive producer and as program director for a specialty channel. The shows she produced garnered many awards, including two Geminis – Canada’s TV broadcast awards. Also the author of Courageous Women Rebels, Joy is now a professor of journalism at Humber College in Toronto.

Joy Crysdale's profile page

• Short-listed, Red Cedar Book Award
• Short-listed, American Library Association Amelia Bloomer List of Best Feminist Books
• Commended, Bank Street College's "Best Children's Books of the Year" (Biography category)
• Commended, Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids and Teens

Ten women history to current times are profiled with engaging text and facts that are ideal for accomplished readers and students looking for a challenge and to expand their thinking. Part of the amazing Women’s Hall of Fame Series, this book provides an excellent chance for readers in Grade 6 and up to see that courage to stand up to bullies takes many forms.

Feeding Change

This well-written book highlights the lives of 10 women activists… The message throughout the book is the same: All these women fought bravely for change, and some of them put their lives in jeopardy to pursue their goals.

ETFO Voice

Just as she did in Fearless Female Journalists, Crysdale approaches difficult topics candidly yet considerately. ... in deference to the target audience, in whose eyes Sojourner Truth and Gloria Steinem, too, probably, represent ancient history, Crysdale cites the recognition given them, respectively, by contemporary celebrities Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey, to emphasize their relevance even today. In each instance, whether a woman is rich or poor, straight or gay, or 13 or 50 when she embarks on a path of activism, the book presents her life story in a way such that readers can relate to it.

CM Magazine

(A)n inspiring look at the lives of a handful of historical, as well as a few modern, women who possessed the strength of character to stand up against social norms and practices that they firmly believed were unjust, harmful, or immoral.

Resource Links

Courageous Women Rebels, like its sister books, is the perfect size to take along to the cabin for a rainy-day read or on an airplane as an alternative to in-flight movies. At a reasonable $10.95, it should find its way into many a school, public, or personal library collection. As the book’s introduction suggests, the biographies may inspire readers to set their own “shining examples of how people can make a difference. … Highly Recommended.

CM Magazine