She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World

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On the heels of the now-infamous censure of Senator Elizabeth Warren's Senate chamber speech, Chelsea Clinton wrote this empowering picture book for the next generation of persistent young women. She Persisted is a collective biography and picture book of 13 women and girls who shaped America — from Claudette Colvin and Maria Tallchief to Oprah Winfrey and Helen Keller. Alexandra Boiger's illustrations are soft and sweet, yet these young women are anything but demure — they hold their head high and stand tall. A new favorite in our collection — I hope that it inspires the mini feminist in my own daughter to be tenacious in the face of adversity. Recommended By Kate L., Powells.com

Chelsea Clinton introduces tiny feminists, mini activists and little kids who are ready to take on the world to thirteen inspirational women who never took no for an answer, and who always, inevitably and without fail, persisted.

Throughout American history, there have always been women who have spoken out for what’s right, even when they have to fight to be heard. In early 2017, Senator Elizabeth Warren’s refusal to be silenced in the Senate inspired a spontaneous celebration of women who persevered in the face of adversity. In this book, Chelsea Clinton celebrates thirteen American women who helped shape our country through their tenacity, sometimes through speaking out, sometimes by staying seated, sometimes by captivating an audience. They all certainly persisted.

She Persisted is for everyone who has ever wanted to speak up but has been told to quiet down, for everyone who has ever tried to reach for the stars but was told to sit down, and for everyone who has ever been made to feel unworthy or unimportant or small.

With vivid, compelling art by Alexandra Boiger, this book shows readers that no matter what obstacles may be in their paths, they shouldn’t give up on their dreams. Persistence is power.

This book features: Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Clara Lemlich, Nellie Bly, Virginia Apgar, Maria Tallchief, Claudette Colvin, Ruby Bridges, Margaret Chase Smith, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, Oprah Winfrey, Sonia Sotomayor – and one special cameo.

"Exemplary...This well-curated list will show children that women’s voices have made themselves emphatically heard." Booklist

"Mitch McConnell’s dismissal of Elizabeth Warren during a Senate confirmation hearing immediately became a feminist rallying cry. Clinton (It’s Your World) and Boiger (Max and Marla) further transform it into a lovely, moving work of children’s literature that might even win over those cynical about celebrity efforts in that space.... Boiger’s celebratory watercolors effortlessly mix drama and playfulness." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

Chelsea Clinton has always been interested in making the world a better place. When she was a child in Little Rock, Arkansas, one of her favorite books was 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth, and as a teenager in Washington, D.C., she led her school’s service club. While at Stanford, Chelsea worked as a reading and writing tutor and volunteered at the Children’s Hospital. Today, she is Vice Chair of the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation where she helps lead the work of the Foundation across its various initiatives, with a particular focus on work related to health, women and girls, creating service opportunities, and empowering the next generation of leaders. Chelsea holds a BA from Stanford University, an MPH from Columbia University, and an MPhil and doctorate degree in international relations from Oxford University. She lives in New York City with her husband, Marc, their daughter, Charlotte, their son, Aidan, and their dog Soren.

Alexandra Boiger grew up in Munich, Germany as the youngest of seven children. She studied Graphic Design at the Fachhochschule Augsburg before working in Feature Animation at Warner Brothers and Dreamworks. After working in animation, Alexandra decided to pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a children’s book illustrator, gathering a following as the illustrator of the popular Tallulah series. Max and Marla is her debut title as both author and illustrator. Alexandra now lives in Northern California with her husband and daughter.