Unsung Heroines: 35 Women Who Changed the Bay Area
Drawn from Rae Alexandra's long-running KQED series, Rebel Girls From Bay Area History, 'Unsung Heroines' is a collection of 35 short profiles honoring the contributions of a diverse group of women, from the very first years of the founding of San Francisco — and the greater Bay Area — up to the present day. Educators and organizers, adventurers and entertainers, these inspiring women deserve to be remembered for their impact on our region. Together, their stories constitute a new rendering of the history of Northern California from the vantage point of women who made a difference. This is a feminist history book, written by a journalist who grew up on riot grrrl and punk rock, and illustrated by fine artist and activist, Adrienne Simms.
“A newspaper by and for Indigenous people. Immigrants and their descendants allowed to marry Americans. Free public toilets for women. Voting by mail. Saving the San Francisco Bay. Children getting breakfast. Children with disabilities attending school. Care for people with AIDS. Health centers. All this and more. The Bay Area would not be as civilized as it is without the brave work of the women in this book. At last, we can know them, and sing their praises.”
–Maxine Hong Kingston, author of ‘The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts’
“Fascinating, engaging, thorough, thoughtful, and surprising, 'Unsung Heroines' is an absolute treasure trove of just some of the rad women who've shaped the Bay Area and Northern California – and the nation. Put this book in every classroom, office, coffeeshop, and BART train! These are stories that every resident of the region needs to know!”
–Kate Schatz, author of ‘Rad American Women A-Z’
“Every story here is a unique adventure that reminds us of women's vision and bravery. The evocative portraits by Adrienne Simms make this a real celebration of these daring human rights activists who cross boundaries of time, ethnicity, and class and invite us all to join in.”
–Jewelle Gomez, author of ‘The Gilda Stories’
'UNSUNG HEROINES' IN THE PRESS
'UNSUNG HEROINES' ON THE AIR