This resource provides biographies of women across history and the world to show women and girls the powerful women who came before and despite facing sexism, discrimination, adversity, criticism, and even danger, paved the way for gender equality. The women, regardless of sexuality, race, ability, age, and class, played important roles, and their fortitude, courage, and determination are celebrated. These intelligent, creative women are identified as role models for modern American women and those who shaped American culture and society. Suitable for grades 9-12 as a class or library reference book, to use for excerpts, and support students’ personal inquiry projects.