BOOKS

Happy Women's History Month! It is officially the best time of year to celebrate how amazing women are (but can we start to do that every day, too?), and what better way to do that than to reflect on our fave female protagonists?

Let's take a look back at some of the best fictional women and channel their unstoppable energy throughout the rest of March...

Katniss Everdeen

As one of the most popular YA protagonists, Katniss Everdeen is quite literally *that* girl. The Hunger Games star does her best to take care of her mom and sister before and after being sent to fight in the Games—which end up thrusting her into a leadership role in Panem's rebellion against the horrifying reign of President Snow.

Katniss gives her all to the fight and saves future generations from the Hunger Games, all while staying true to her principles, managing her traumas and figuring out her romantic feelings for Peeta.

Your inspo: This March, speak up for what you believe in. If you have ideas for implementing healthier food in the school's cafeteria, put your name on the ballot for the next student council election and share your thoughts. If you want to help make a change in the country's government, register to vote (if you're 18) and encourage your friends to as well. Together, you and your besties can make some real progress.

Katniss also spends the series learning new skills (setting traps, tying knots, doing interviews) and improving old ones (using a bow and arrow, tracking animals, making friends). While you may not need to learn how to use a bow or lead a rebellion, you can def improve some of your own skills. Practice shooting free throws until you can get 10 in a row, follow YouTube tutorials to crochet different sweaters or sign up for your first voice lesson so you can confidently hit those high notes. Practice makes perfect, and we're sure you can do anything you put your mind to.

Anne Shirley

One of our fave old-school books is Anne of Green Gables, which features the one and only Anne Shirley. An orphan at the start of the series, Anne worms her way into the Cuthberts' hearts and home and takes their small Prince Edward Island town by storm.

She doesn't hold back on speaking her mind and spends her time reading and writing, hoping to learn as much as possible before beginning her teaching career. Anne gets into plenty of mischief throughout her story, but she is nothing if not a resilient young woman who cares deeply about her friends.

Your inspo: Anne loves poetry, so why not try reading some yourself this month? You can focus on poems written by women authors like Sylvia Plath and Audre Lorde—they might even inspire you to write some of your own!

Another way to bring some Anne vibes into your life is to host a picnic for your besties. Anne has a couple of tea parties and picnics with her own kindred spirits, so how about you have a spring-themed one with your BFFs? You can wear your cutest dresses, drink some lemonade and make flower crowns for each other, incorporating everyone's fave blooms and colors.

Mare Barrow

Red Queen's heroine (aka the literal Red Queen), Mare Barrow, is def one we can look up to. She lives in a world where people are separated by the color of their blood—Silvers have abilities that allow them to control things like fire and minds, while Reds are, well, kind of powerless.

Mare is a Red but somehow has the ability to control electricity, making her (and the other Newbloods) a threat to the Silver Crown. She teams up with Reds, Newbloods and rebellious Silvers alike to take down the cruel monarchy and end the unjust division in her country while also navigating her teenage years and first loves.

Your inspo: As only a 17-year-old leading a nationwide rebellion, Mare makes a mistake or two and has to own up to them. Mare shows us that no one is flawless, so be kind to yourself when you mess up. If you do poorly on that one math test you forgot to study for or find yourself caught up in some gossip, take a step back and think about how you can do better. It might help to do some journaling acknowledging your mistakes while also pointing out some of your good qualities.

Like Mare, don't be afraid to speak out against injustice, either. If you see a sixth grader being picked on, don't be afraid to defend them and get a teacher to help. Or if you see any unfairness within your larger community (like your public library facing closure, or there being a lack of mental health resources in your neighborhood), see if there are town meetings or public forums where you can share your thoughts and fight for what you want.

Jo March

We heart the strong feminist icon that is Jo March. Throughout Little Women, Jo pursues her dreams of writing. She maintains her independence until she is truly ready to explore a romance and takes good care of her younger sister, Beth. Jo is a force of nature who loves adventure and embraces her unique personality.

Your inspo: Enter your Jo era by romanticizing your independence (think: taking yourself on a solo date to the movies or your fave bookstore) and getting closer to your fam (like spending some quality time with your siblings during an epic Mario Kart tournament).

And the number one way to unleash your inner Jo this month? Go after your dream. (DW, we know that's easier said than done.) Feel free to think small. Are there any short-term goals you can accomplish in the next few weeks? Whether it's auditioning for the spring drama, trying out the long jump at the next track meet or writing the first few pages of that novel you've been thinking about for months (this one is especially Jo-like), you can def make some major (or minor!) strides toward your dreams.

Follow us on IG @glbestiebookclub for more bookish content!

Check out these posts for more Women's History Month inspo:
🩷 10 rockstar women you should have on your radar for International Women's Day
🩷 6 books you should read for Women's History Month 
🩷 How to empower and uplift the women in your life

Top and slider image: @littlewomenmovie
GIFs via Giphy

by Maggie Salter | 3/20/2024