Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists, by Mikki Kendall, is about the struggles women have faced while trying to achieve equality. Kendall tells the stories of some of women’s greatest challenges and achievements in the form of a graphic novel. The novel reaches a wide audience as it educates readers about women’s rights using plain language and bright, exciting illustrations. Making these stories into a graphic novel makes the women look like superheros, which further emphasizes their strength as they repeatedly fight against oppression generation after generation, and throughout multiple cultures. Kendall shares a wide range of historical female figures from environmental activists, Vikings, Amazons, disability rights advocates, and more. Kendall expands our vision of feminist icons. Although well-known historical figures like Susan B. Anthony have their presence noted in the novel, we also see women warriors we’ve never seen before fighting for their land, demanding their education, and attacking the patriarchy. This is a must-read for any feminist hoping to further educate themselves on how women have made progress fighting for equality in the past. These stories recognize the many barriers women have faced, and still face today as politics, sexism, and intolerance are still relevant concerns for achieving equality. A scene particularly relevant to modern feminist issues is when a woman is wearing a hijab and she explains to another woman of a different culture that her hijab represents a part of the customs and culture she identifies with, and it’s okay for other women not to wear one because it’s their choice to make.
—Anonymous, CMRD101 Fall 2020