In a powerful response to historical gender imbalance, bestselling author Kate Mosse has created an inspiring anthology that puts women back at the centre of history. Feminist History for Every Day of the Year champions female trailblazers who have been largely overlooked in traditional historical records.
Addressing Historical Imbalance
Mosse's work confronts a startling statistic head-on: while women constitute roughly 50% of the global population, they feature in only about 0.5% of recorded history. This comprehensive anthology seeks to redress this imbalance by celebrating women who refused to accept limitations and fought to change the world for the better.
The book, aimed at teenage readers but equally enjoyable for adults, features bite-sized stories of female achievement spanning centuries. As Mosse explains in her introduction, it focuses on women "who refused to accept the limitations put on them, who campaigned and marched, battled and challenged the status quo."
Diverse Voices and Stories
The anthology showcases an impressive range of women from various fields and backgrounds. Readers will encounter famous figures alongside lesser-known pioneers, including primatologist Dian Fossey, avant-garde painter Amrita Sher-Gil, and Britain's first black headteacher Beryl Gilroy.
The collection also highlights Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani education activist; Ethiopian politician and humanitarian Senedu Gebru; and racehorse trainer Florence Nagle. Technology pioneers feature prominently too, with computer programmers Ada Lovelace and Dorothy Vaughan receiving their due recognition.
One of the most fascinating entries is Josephine Baker, remembered not only as an actor and music hall star but also as a pilot and agent in the French resistance during the second world war.
Nuanced Portrayals
Mosse doesn't shy away from complexity in her selections. The book includes figures like Marie Stopes, who founded Britain's first birth control clinic in 1921 but also held controversial eugenics beliefs. This nuanced approach provides a more authentic historical perspective.
The audiobook version, narrated by Mosse herself alongside Bridgerton actor Adjoa Andoh, brings these stories to life with curiosity and passion. Available via Pan Macmillan, the audio version runs for 10 hours and 16 minutes and is designed for flexible listening.
Unlike traditional day-by-day anthologies, this collection encourages dipping in and out at the listener's leisure, making it accessible for modern audiences with busy schedules.
Broader Cultural Context
The publication arrives alongside other significant British audio releases, including Ashley Walters' memoir Always Winning and former subpostmaster Jo Hamilton's account of her fight for justice in Why Are You Here, Mrs Hamilton?
Mosse's work represents a growing movement to reclaim women's place in historical narratives, ensuring that future generations have access to a more complete and inclusive understanding of human achievement.
