The following are books relevant to our mission that members recommend.  Click on the links to see Goodreads reviews of these.

“Code Girls” by Liza Mundy, is a riveting true story – largely unknown due to strict government secrecy rules – that reads more like a good mystery than a true account.  However, it is the detailed story of 10,000+ young women who were recruited by the US Army and Navy from small towns and elite colleges during WWII.  The new recruits moved to Washington where they lived in crowded, cramped communal quarters and learned the meticulous work of code-breaking. Their efforts shortened the war, saved countless lives, and gave them access to careers previously denied them.  This is the vital story of American courage, service, and scientific accomplishment.

“Other Powers” by Barbara Goldsmith, describes the friendships, challenges and struggles of the women (and men) leading the political and social movements for equality from the 1850’s until about 1920.  The impact of Spiritualism on the women’s rights movement is explored as well.   Photos and eye-opening stories round out a thorough account based on years of research.

“No Visible Bruises” by Rachel Snyder (a relative of Cyrille Cobe).  The subtitle of this book is an apt description:  “What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us”.  No matter how much you think you know about domestic abuse, this book is an eye-opener.  Using actual cases and interviews, it reads as quickly as a novel.  But don’t be fooled.  It covers updates to serious topics, such as how to identify non-physical abuse, evolution of abuse in a relationship, why women stay with abusers, risk scoring to determine likelihood of murder, inter-agency cooperation needed to address the issue, impact on families of both abuser and victim, legislative developments, abuser intervention efforts, and why the old solution of sheltering is not the best solution.  The book is available at the Hillsborough County Library.

“The Only Woman in the Room” by Beate Sirota Gordon, the topic of our October 2019 meeting, about a woman who brought women’s rights to the Japanese constitution and
Asian arts to America.

“Tourist Season” by Enid Shumer,is the topic of our April 2020 meeting.  It is several short stories about women of various ages at pivotal points in their lives.  Each is on a physical journey, as well as mental, emotional or spiritual one.  During the course of her story, each woman makes a life-changing and empowering decision.  The stories cover a variety of genres, from fantasy to crime.

“Evicted – Poverty and Profit in the American City” by Matthew Desmond, about poverty and economic exploitation.

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