Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference

by Joyce Hansen

In a lavishly photographed volume, readers are introduced to the inspiring stories of women who blazed uncharted paths in journalism, politics, law, education, science, and the arts to make a better world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Biography, African American, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1994

About the author

Joyce Hansen has been writing books and stories for children and young adults for over twenty years. Joyce was born and raised in New York City, the setting of her early contemporary novels. She grew up with two younger brothers and her parents in an extended family that included aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents, all living nearby in the Morrisania section of the Bronx.

Attending Bronx public schools, she graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1960. While working secretarial jobs during the day, Joyce attended Pace University in New York City at night, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree. She then began her teaching career in the New York City public schools and earned a Master of Arts degree from New York University. She also taught writing and literature at Empire State College (State University of New York).

Joyce’s first children’s book, The Gift-Giver, published in 1980, was inspired by her own Bronx childhood and by her students. She continued to teach and write until retiring from teaching in 1995. Joyce Hansen presently lives in South Carolina with her husband and writes full-time.

Reviews

[Morgan]

Short children's book about extraordinary Black women. It's fairly wide-ranging, from astronauts (Mae Jemison) to writers (Alice Walker and Toni Morrison) to activists (Ida B. Wells-Barnett). There were a couple I hadn't heard of (the Delaney sisters, for example), but each picture is accompanied by a short bio and the person's own words. There's also a short bibliography and lists of more "women of hope."

[Tina Lewis]

Vital brief biographies of African-American women who were so powerful they destroyed the sterotypes of their time and this country's racial prejudice.

This should be required reading in all schools, even the boys' schools. No, especially the boys' schools.

Definitely recommend! My only complaint was that it was over too soon - I wanted more!

[J.J.]

Brief good starting point for young readers. Dated a bit because doesn’t cover anyone in 21st century.

[Jazmin Carr]

This book can serve as a great point of reference for students to learn more about African American women's history. This book summarizes the lives of 12 black women of America and their stories. The book honors each women with a one page summary along with an authentic image of each, as well as a quote. This book is great for students in grades 3rd-5th, and provides a great combination of knowledge, empowerment, and admiration for its audience members. There is a mix of women of which some are often talked about from our history and others not so frequently commentated upon. Each woman reached great heights in their own respects and fields, but each equally important. This book is not a narrative, instead, more information based, yet still enjoyable. This biographical book does a great job of bringing light to the great doings of some of the inspriational African American women from our history.

[Amanda Andrews]

This book looks at 12 African American women who have made a difference in their world. I think it is good for children to see specific examples of people's lives and what they have overcome and accomplished. Some students may not be very familiar with many women in this book, which I like. This book would be great to use when teaching about change agents, women's rights, or civil rights.

[Shannon]

Beautiful

Great Quotes

Inspiring, insightful women

[Bobbi Skipper]

This is a great book for showing the important role women played in history. I feel that this would be inspirational for young girls of color and others.