Women Who Inspire

Wangari Maathai is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language (ESL) or adult basic education students. In 1977, Wangari Maathai formed the Green Belt Movement, an organization that paid poor women to plant trees. The movement started in Kenya and soon spread throughout Africa. The simple act of planting a tree not only helped improve the local environment of the people but also empowered women in Africa. They became the keepers of the environment and found a way to stand up for their rights and the rights of their communities. Wangari showed the world how environment, poverty, and peace go hand in hand. In 2004, Wangari became the first black woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Lexile level: 490L

Clara Hughes is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language (ESL) or adult basic education students. Clara Hughes was on a risky path as a teenager. Watching the Olympic Games in 1988 changed her life. She was inspired to go for gold. Although she began training as a speed skater, her coach encouraged her to pursue cycling. Clara excelled at cycling and won Olympic medals. However, she went back to her original dream of speed skating and won Olympic medals in that sport as well. She was the first athlete to compete in and win medals in both the Summer and Winter Olympics. Clara decided to give back by working with youth at risk and providing opportunities for children to play sports. She currently dedicates her time to raising awareness about mental health issues such as depression, which she herself has struggled with in the past. Lexile level: 460L

Malala is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language (ESL) or adult basic education students. Malala was lucky. Her parents knew the value of an education for both boys and girls, so Malala was sent to school and excelled. Today, Malala is known world-wide as the young Pakistani girl who bravely spoke up in support of female education. In spite of a near-fatal attack by a Taliban supporter who shot her in the head, Malala continues to be a determined voice for young girls striving to get an education. In 2014, at the age of 17, Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the youngest person ever to achieve the prestigious award. Lexile level: 500L

Helen Keller is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language (ESL) or adult basic education students. Helen Keller learned to speak, read, and write in spite of becoming blind and deaf at the age of two due to an illness. As a child, Helen was frustrated and unmanageable but her mother never gave up on her. Helen's life changed when a teacher, Annie Sullivan, came into her life. Annie won Helen's trust and was able to teach Helen to speak, read, and write. Helen had Annie at her side when she became the first deaf-blind person to get a college degree. She used her fame to raise money for deaf and blind people and to fight for women's rights. Helen Keller lived to the age of 80 and died in peace in 1968. Lexile level: 470L