Bold, black women in science—where will their inspiration take you?Throughout history, black women have blazed trails across the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Black Women in Science brings something special to black history books for kids, celebrating incredible black women in STEM who have used their brains, bravery, and ambition to beat the odds.Black Women in … to beat the odds.
Black Women in Science stands out amongst other black history books for kids—featuring 15 powerful stories of fearless female scientists that advanced their STEM fields and fought to build a legacy. Through the triumphs of these amazing women, you’ll find remarkable role models.
Black Women in Science goes where black history books for kids have never gone before, including:
- Above and beyond—Soar over adversity with Mae Jemison, Annie Easley, and Bessie Coleman.
- Part of the solution—Discover the power of mathematics with Katherine Johnson and Gladys West.
- The doctor is in—Explore a life of healing with Mamie Phipps Clark, Jane Cooke Wright, and many more.
Find the inspiration to blaze your own trail in Black Women in Science—maybe your adventure will be the next chapter in black history books for kids.
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Daddy, I’m ready to read another book with you at bedtime.
I loved hearing that sentence from my 10-year-old daughter, Norah. We have read many books together over her young life. This time she wanted about women in science. I did a Google search a few weeks ago and came across Black Women in Science by Kimberly Brown Pellum.
Pellum writes about fifteen women across the various fields in science from mathematics, astronomy, computer science, and engineering to show how black women scientists had a major contribution to American society.
We enjoyed reading the short bios of Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first African American female physician during the post Civil War era to Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to fly a plane to Gladys West, the scientist who helped with the creation of GPS, and Mae Jemison, the first African African woman to go into space. Norah and I had great discussions about these women and their importance to American culture.
Black Women in Science is aimed for children from 3rd-6th grades and a great introduction to a part of American history not taught or celebrated. Also, I would encourage non-African Americans, especially young girls of all ethnicities to read about these amazing women. Their inspirational stories revealed how they overcame the odds and added to American society.
I’m pleased that Black Women in Science was my first review for 2020 and my daughter found another good book we could read together.
An excellent contribution. This book inspires with the personal stories of African-American women scientists, who pursued careers in science against obstacles that could have been soul-crushing. Each life depicted is unique, but the women’s love and uncompromising pursuit of knowledge, along with their desire to contribute to the bettering of people’s lives, unites them. Through each woman’s story, we learn about a different and intriguing facet of science. Likewise we encounter the United States’ extraordinarily painful history of racial oppression, and the relegation of women secondary status and stunted development- both of which continue to this day. Through this book, we are educated, enlightened and inspired to be part of the continued movement to recognize and remove such obstacles. The book is clearly written, and moves at an excellent pace, making it very accessible to children, probably as young as eight- and therefore it can be a guiding light to girls and boys. Likewise, the content is entirely appropriate for elementary school children. It could be given to children younger than eight who are particularly precocious with their reading skills and curiosity about science and history.
Black Women in Science is a wonderfully inspiring book! When a book begins with a dedication to the author’s mother (who made a difference in the world by teaching nurses), to the Foreword (a note about the author and how she became a veterinarian), to an Introduction in which the author imagines “a world of endless possibilities”, you know that the book is going to be an inspiration to anyone who reads it! It hasn’t even started, and the book, already, is full of hope and encouragement! The author encourages young girls to enter the world of science. This had traditionally been a field dominated by men. The author presents fifteen women important for their contributions to science in chronological order, and how each woman made a difference in the world. Beginning with Rebecca Lee Crumpler of the Civil War era, the author describes her struggles to enter New England Medical College and to become a physician. The author concludes her book with Gina Presley, a young woman born in 1985 who became a forensic scientist. The author concludes her book with an afterword challenging girls to undertake a science project, and then to consider entering the field of science for their life’s work.
Each story is well-written and seems to be especially geared to the fourth to sixth grader. A vibrant and colorful drawing of each woman is included. In the back of the book is a useful glossary explaining words that a young girl might find difficult.
This is a must-read for all girls. It reminds them that they can achieve their dreams, no matter what that is!