Vanessa Miller recommends Sadequa Johnson, Rashonda Tate, Vanessa Riley and more
Through historical fiction, many BIOPOC writers help reclaim the voices of our past and ensure these sheroes Finally recognized and celebrated. These works collectively highlight multiple dimensions of equality: cultural, economic, artistic, personal, and legal. He even inspired my own novel, Ladies HallWhich is taken from the lives of pioneers like Mary Church Terrell and Anna Julia Cooper. Like the women in these books, they pursued education and justice in places that opposed them. Their stories remind us that equality is never freely given; This is a battle fought every day. These narratives ensure that their legacies and the path they created continue to guide and inspire future generations. Just as my historical fiction focuses on strong black women at key moments in history, I also love reading books about women who history tried to erase. Here are some amazing books written by BIOPOC authors about lesser-known women who fought against inequality and the systems designed to silence them.
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keeper of lost children By Sadeqa Johnson
In keeper of lost childrenSadeqa Johnson explores the often overlooked burdens borne by Black women as they navigate family, loss, and resilience in the face of social inequities. The novel shows that women keep families and communities together, even when they themselves are ignored. The story is based on Mabel Grammer, an African American journalist and army wife who adopted 12 children herself and navigated complex red tape to save hundreds of them.
with love from harlem by reshonda tate
Set against the vibrant backdrop of the Harlem Renaissance, with love from harlem Explores a pivotal era when black artists and thinkers reshaped cultural identity in the face of systemic inequality. Through the lens of ambition, love, and sacrifice, we understand Hazel Scott as a woman whose creative expression became a path toward dignity and self-definition. Tate captures the tension between opportunity and limitation, reminding readers that equality is often attempted in places where recognition is hard-won. This story shows how community and courage fueled a movement that demanded to be seen, heard, and valued.
island queen by vanessa riley
island queen is a compelling exploration of equality through the life of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, a woman born into slavery who refuses to accept the limitations society places on her because of race or gender. As she fights for freedom, wealth, and legal rights in the colonial Caribbean, Dorothy challenges systems designed to silence and exclude women and people of color. Vanessa Riley’s novel powerfully shows that equality is not freely given. It is pursued through courage, determination and the belief that every individual deserves respect, opportunity and the right to shape their own future.
edmonia by Brian Baker
In edmoniaThe life of sculptor Edmonia Lewis stands as a testament to artistic flexibility and cultural identity. As a woman of African American and Native American heritage, Lewis navigated a world that often denied her legitimacy. Baker’s portrayal emphasizes how creativity becomes an act of defiance against exclusion. They fought for the right to create, to be recognized, and to define their own narrative. Lewis’s journey reminds readers that representation in art is not just about visibility, but about claiming a place in history.
second princess Denny S. by bryce
second princess It reimagines the life of a black woman navigating elite European society, where privilege and prejudice co-exist. Bryce explores what it means to live in places that outwardly embrace sophistication but silently enforce exclusion. Through themes of identity, privacy, and self-worth, the novel highlights the emotional cost of assimilation. Sarah Forbes Bonetna, an African princess and granddaughter of Queen Victoria, struggles to be accepted without erasing herself. The story challenges traditional narratives of royalty and status, showing that true equality requires more than access; It demands authenticity and recognition.
sedalia code By Patricia Raybon
While the heroine of this novel is fictional, readers will be drawn to this mystery about codebreaking and the Nazi threat on American soil during World War II. Laurette Lowe faced a battle when she got a job teaching mathematics at La Porte Academy in Sedalia, NC in the 1940s. It is his mathematical skills that will help him decipher a secret Nazi plot to kill the American President. She achieves this great feat while struggling to be seen and heard as an educated black woman. Reban writes from the heart and with a determination to lead us to the truth.
until i’m free By Keisha Ann Blaine
until i’m free Fannie Lou offers a powerful historical account of Hammer’s activism. This courageous woman fought tirelessly for justice and equality. Blaine brings to the fore voices that are often ignored, showing how Hammer shaped political movements and demanded systemic change and equality. The book explores what activism, solidarity, and an unwavering commitment to freedom look like. Fannie Lou Hamer did not achieve all her accomplishments alone; Progress was created through a network of women who refused to accept injustice and instead worked to change society for future generations.
Civil Rights Queen: Constance Baker Motley and the Struggle for Equality by tomiko brown-serpent
In civil rights queenThe life of Constance Baker Motley highlights the legal battles behind the Civil Rights Movement. As a pioneering lawyer and judge, Motley challenged segregation through the courts, reshaping American law. Brown-Nagin highlights how equality is not just an ideal but a legal goal that requires strategy, persistence, and courage. This biography reminds readers that justice is often secured through sustained effort within systems resistant to change, and that individual determination can have a deep and lasting impact on collective rights.
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Ladies Hall Available from Thomas Nelson Fiction by Vanessa Miller.
