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Forgotten Women
Forgotten Women uncovers the lost histories of the influential women who have refused over hundreds of years to accept the hand they've been dealt and, as a result, have formed, shaped and changed the course of our futures
Forgotten Women shines a well-deserved spotlight on women of accomplishment in various fields -- scientists, leaders, writers and artists -- who have been forgotten or overlooked, uncovering the lost herstories of influential women who have formed, shaped and changed the course of our futures. Everyone knows a forgotten woman. The ones we hold close to our hearts, the rebels we raise in conversation, the pioneering early feminists who have been overlooked for too long. Forgotten Women redresses the balance and puts their achievements firmly back on the map. As Virginia Woolf said, “For most of history, anonymous was a woman.”
LEADERS celebrated include Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress and who ran for US president in 1972; Grace O'Malley, the 16th century Irish pirate queen; Sylvia Rivera, a pioneering figure in the transgender rights movement; and Agent 355, the unknown rebel spy who played a pivotal role in the American Revolution.
Pioneering and innovative female SCIENTISTS from across history and scientific disciplines - including mathematics, genetics, technology, chemistry astronomy, physical and medicine - include the likes of Rosalind Franklin, who uncovered the structure of DNA but whose work was attributed to her male colleagues; Ruby Hirose, whose pioneering research led to the polio vaccine.
Unsung genius female WRITERS include the Girl Stunt Reporters, who went undercover to write exposés on the ills of 1890s America; Aemilia Lanyer, the contemporary of Shakespeare whose polemical re-writing of Paradise Lost is regarded as one of the earliest feminist works of literature; and Sarojini Naidu, the freedom fighter and 'Nightingale of India' whose poetry echoed her political desire for Indian independence.
ARTISTS given their due include Camille Claudel, the extraordinarily talented sculptor who was always unfairly overshadowed by her lover, Rodin; Baroness Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven, who has been claimed as the true originator of Marcel Duchamp's Fountain.
Forgotten Women shines a light on these unsung heroes whose contributions have changed our world.
Forgotten Women shines a well-deserved spotlight on women of accomplishment in various fields -- scientists, leaders, writers and artists -- who have been forgotten or overlooked, uncovering the lost herstories of influential women who have formed, shaped and changed the course of our futures. Everyone knows a forgotten woman. The ones we hold close to our hearts, the rebels we raise in conversation, the pioneering early feminists who have been overlooked for too long. Forgotten Women redresses the balance and puts their achievements firmly back on the map. As Virginia Woolf said, “For most of history, anonymous was a woman.”
LEADERS celebrated include Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress and who ran for US president in 1972; Grace O'Malley, the 16th century Irish pirate queen; Sylvia Rivera, a pioneering figure in the transgender rights movement; and Agent 355, the unknown rebel spy who played a pivotal role in the American Revolution.
Pioneering and innovative female SCIENTISTS from across history and scientific disciplines - including mathematics, genetics, technology, chemistry astronomy, physical and medicine - include the likes of Rosalind Franklin, who uncovered the structure of DNA but whose work was attributed to her male colleagues; Ruby Hirose, whose pioneering research led to the polio vaccine.
Unsung genius female WRITERS include the Girl Stunt Reporters, who went undercover to write exposés on the ills of 1890s America; Aemilia Lanyer, the contemporary of Shakespeare whose polemical re-writing of Paradise Lost is regarded as one of the earliest feminist works of literature; and Sarojini Naidu, the freedom fighter and 'Nightingale of India' whose poetry echoed her political desire for Indian independence.
ARTISTS given their due include Camille Claudel, the extraordinarily talented sculptor who was always unfairly overshadowed by her lover, Rodin; Baroness Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven, who has been claimed as the true originator of Marcel Duchamp's Fountain.
Forgotten Women shines a light on these unsung heroes whose contributions have changed our world.
- GenresNonfictionFeminism
592 pages, Hardcover
First published March 6, 2023
21 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Zing Tsjeng
9 books57 followersSingaporean author and jourmalist based in London. She is the author of the Forgotten Women book series.
She specializes in LGBTQ rights, politics, culture and lifestyle.
She specializes in LGBTQ rights, politics, culture and lifestyle.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 21, 2023
This book is an encyclopedia on women’s achievements dating from Neothlic period to the modern times. What’s sad about it, is the fact that most (if not all) of these women were ‘forgotten’ as history focused on male successes over the years.
Zing Tsjeng changes all of that.
Forgotten Women is divided into seven chapters: Campaigners (for social justice), Mavericks (turning their backs on traditional roles), Revolutionaries (fighting for political change), Trailblazers (fighting to change their field), World changers (helping to create a better world), Truth tellers (capturing their own stories), and Visionaries (telling their own stories).
I was gripped by the stories of Jane Anger, a 16th century writer, writing about gender inequality; Margaret Sanger who campaigned for women’s sexual health and their right to contraception.
I was so engrossed in the story of the Radium Girls, who campaigned for health and safety in a workplace – looked them up online to find out more about them.
Other women who inspired me were: Rashid Jahan, one of the first Muslim women in India to qualify in medicine; Carolina Maria De Jesus, a Black Brazilian writer from the slums, who wrote about their appalling conditions.
I was saddened to read about Émilie Du Châtelet, who was a polymath, excellent in her field, and yet to this day she is more known for being Voltaire’s lover, rather than for her academic achievements.
Jane Cooke Wright was an African-American doctor, turned scientist, who developed a chemotherapy drug called methotrexate, which is still used today.
The Stunt Girls reporters’ story fascinated me – between the period of 1880-1890 they were a bunch of journalists who infiltrated jails, madhouses, and sweatshops to write about their horrendous conditions.
My list of amazing females goes on forever! I honestly feel that this book should be in everyone’s household.
Zing Tsjeng changes all of that.
Forgotten Women is divided into seven chapters: Campaigners (for social justice), Mavericks (turning their backs on traditional roles), Revolutionaries (fighting for political change), Trailblazers (fighting to change their field), World changers (helping to create a better world), Truth tellers (capturing their own stories), and Visionaries (telling their own stories).
I was gripped by the stories of Jane Anger, a 16th century writer, writing about gender inequality; Margaret Sanger who campaigned for women’s sexual health and their right to contraception.
I was so engrossed in the story of the Radium Girls, who campaigned for health and safety in a workplace – looked them up online to find out more about them.
Other women who inspired me were: Rashid Jahan, one of the first Muslim women in India to qualify in medicine; Carolina Maria De Jesus, a Black Brazilian writer from the slums, who wrote about their appalling conditions.
I was saddened to read about Émilie Du Châtelet, who was a polymath, excellent in her field, and yet to this day she is more known for being Voltaire’s lover, rather than for her academic achievements.
Jane Cooke Wright was an African-American doctor, turned scientist, who developed a chemotherapy drug called methotrexate, which is still used today.
The Stunt Girls reporters’ story fascinated me – between the period of 1880-1890 they were a bunch of journalists who infiltrated jails, madhouses, and sweatshops to write about their horrendous conditions.
My list of amazing females goes on forever! I honestly feel that this book should be in everyone’s household.
Read
October 13, 2023One can only marvel at the sheer magnitude of FORGOTTEN WOMEN, and how the author could have compiled such a massive and impressive edition. Nearing 600 pages, Zing Tsjeng has created a literary masterpiece, that should be used as the ultimate reference book.
There are almost 200 women profiled in the book, many names we are most unfamiliar with. There are a handful of women known to this reviewer, but the majority are ones that have escaped detection, though they certainly deserve recognition.
The book is divided into seven sections: Campaigners, Mavericks, Revolutionaries, Trailblazers, World Changers, Truth Tellers, and Visionaries. The majority of the profiles of the women are in the three or so page length, with just enough space given to them to more than adequately tell their story, informing the world of their achievements, along with other pertinent facts.
Zing writes so well, the stories of each flowing, making their mini-biographies most memorable. You could start the book on any page, becoming engrossed in theses stories, with women from all ages and all walks of life. It would be difficult to say anything of note has been omitted.
There is the story of Ida B. Wells, a Black woman born into slavery in 1862. On a train ride from Memphis to Nashville, she refused to give up her seat, even though it wasdemanded she move to the train carriage that was reserved for Black people. She had purchased a first class ticket, refusing to move. When the conductor tried to force her out of her seat, she bit his hand. Three men eventually dragged her from her seat, so Ida sued the railway company, arguing her case right to the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Later she founded the Negro Fellowship League in Chicago, assisting migrants from the South, providing shelter for homeless Black people.
In the book we also meet Hatshepsut, who became one of the few female Pharohs. When her husband Thutmose II died around 1479 BC, she ruled on his behalf as regent. Seven years later she removed that title, and crowned herself King on New Year’s Day. her life and times are told here in great detail.
Also of interest is Jane Colden born in 1724, noted as the first female botanist. Her father taught her about botany, and soon she finished a complex investigation of the plant life of the region in Orange County, New York. She described and classified no less than 340 native specimens in her notebook, along with illustrations and sketches.
These are but three examples of what you will discover in the book, with over 190 more women of note, who have done exceptional things with accomplishments that helped changed history then, and are still revered today. Don’t forget FORGOTTEN WOMEN, when you are looking for exceptional books to read. This one will keep you captivated for hours and hours.
There are almost 200 women profiled in the book, many names we are most unfamiliar with. There are a handful of women known to this reviewer, but the majority are ones that have escaped detection, though they certainly deserve recognition.
The book is divided into seven sections: Campaigners, Mavericks, Revolutionaries, Trailblazers, World Changers, Truth Tellers, and Visionaries. The majority of the profiles of the women are in the three or so page length, with just enough space given to them to more than adequately tell their story, informing the world of their achievements, along with other pertinent facts.
Zing writes so well, the stories of each flowing, making their mini-biographies most memorable. You could start the book on any page, becoming engrossed in theses stories, with women from all ages and all walks of life. It would be difficult to say anything of note has been omitted.
There is the story of Ida B. Wells, a Black woman born into slavery in 1862. On a train ride from Memphis to Nashville, she refused to give up her seat, even though it wasdemanded she move to the train carriage that was reserved for Black people. She had purchased a first class ticket, refusing to move. When the conductor tried to force her out of her seat, she bit his hand. Three men eventually dragged her from her seat, so Ida sued the railway company, arguing her case right to the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Later she founded the Negro Fellowship League in Chicago, assisting migrants from the South, providing shelter for homeless Black people.
In the book we also meet Hatshepsut, who became one of the few female Pharohs. When her husband Thutmose II died around 1479 BC, she ruled on his behalf as regent. Seven years later she removed that title, and crowned herself King on New Year’s Day. her life and times are told here in great detail.
Also of interest is Jane Colden born in 1724, noted as the first female botanist. Her father taught her about botany, and soon she finished a complex investigation of the plant life of the region in Orange County, New York. She described and classified no less than 340 native specimens in her notebook, along with illustrations and sketches.
These are but three examples of what you will discover in the book, with over 190 more women of note, who have done exceptional things with accomplishments that helped changed history then, and are still revered today. Don’t forget FORGOTTEN WOMEN, when you are looking for exceptional books to read. This one will keep you captivated for hours and hours.
March 17, 2023
This is a fabulous book that I have been reading over the past few weeks. The book focuses on women that have left their mark on history and have yet been forgotten over time. To be honest, there are a lot of people to who this has happened, but it is great to see a book that focuses on women. When history books mention great discoveries, inventions, observations, works of art, philosophy or any other sector, it does tend to focus on men. This does make sense as for so long in history women were seen as inferior, they were supposed to be humble and often not taught to the same educational level as their male counterparts. When you think of women who have made their mark and are mentioned or taught about in schools, there are very few compared to men.
This book is laid out in 7 chapters, the women mentioned have been categorised into these chapters-
Campaigners
Mavericks
Revolutionaries
Trailblazers
World Changers
Truth Tellers Visionaries.
The rogue in me automatically flicked through to the mavericks! Starting with Hatshepsut (c,1508-1485 bc) and finishing with Leticia Parente (1930-1991) takes you through centuries of history as well as around the world. Women from Egypt, Georgia, Mongolia, China, The US, India and many more countries are mentioned.
Each of the chapters is so interesting and whether you go through this book page by page or flick back and forth you will definitely find yourself becoming absorbed. I know I did! This is a book that is educational and enlightening. Great for fans of history in many subjects. Even though for many, many years women have worked and researched to enhance themselves, they were often seen as trouble makers, witches, bad mothers or wives or simply disillusioned, they still pursued their interests. Thank goodness they did as they have gradually paved the way for women today to have access to education and be able to choose and forge a career for themselves.
Some will see this as a book about feminism, but I see this as a book that shows how our world and opinions have changed. This is not the case in all countries around the world, but women have more support now to make that stand.
This is such an interesting book on an educational and historical basis. It is enlightening and I found so many people who I had never heard of before. This is very accessible and one that I have loved reading and will continue to pick up and re-read. I would definitely recommend this, it is excellent.
This book is laid out in 7 chapters, the women mentioned have been categorised into these chapters-
Campaigners
Mavericks
Revolutionaries
Trailblazers
World Changers
Truth Tellers Visionaries.
The rogue in me automatically flicked through to the mavericks! Starting with Hatshepsut (c,1508-1485 bc) and finishing with Leticia Parente (1930-1991) takes you through centuries of history as well as around the world. Women from Egypt, Georgia, Mongolia, China, The US, India and many more countries are mentioned.
Each of the chapters is so interesting and whether you go through this book page by page or flick back and forth you will definitely find yourself becoming absorbed. I know I did! This is a book that is educational and enlightening. Great for fans of history in many subjects. Even though for many, many years women have worked and researched to enhance themselves, they were often seen as trouble makers, witches, bad mothers or wives or simply disillusioned, they still pursued their interests. Thank goodness they did as they have gradually paved the way for women today to have access to education and be able to choose and forge a career for themselves.
Some will see this as a book about feminism, but I see this as a book that shows how our world and opinions have changed. This is not the case in all countries around the world, but women have more support now to make that stand.
This is such an interesting book on an educational and historical basis. It is enlightening and I found so many people who I had never heard of before. This is very accessible and one that I have loved reading and will continue to pick up and re-read. I would definitely recommend this, it is excellent.
March 28, 2023
As soon as I saw this book I knew I had to have it and would be reading it from cover to cover. And can we just stop a second to admire what an absolutely stunning cover it it is! I practically swooned when I unwrapped it 😍 The embossed illustration and the colours are the perfect pairing and I think this must be the prettiest book I own now!
About the book itself though - As an ex History teacher it goes without saying that I love historical non-fiction. I love to learn about people who have come before us, especially women, and I want my daughters (and my son!) to grow up knowing that women can do whatever they want. Forgotten Women is an incredible collection of true stories that teaches exactly that; It’s packed full of females from across the world and throughout the centuries, that History has forgotten but who’ve done some truly amazing things. Every story is remarkable, opening with renaissance feminist writer ‘Jane Anger’ which pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the book!
There were a few familiar names inside but lots and LOTS of new ones too, so I’m really enjoying dipping in and out of it at my leisure. Zing writes so succinctly, effortlessly telling the stories of these inspirational women in just a few pages each, and it’s honestly a joy to read which isn’t always the case with history books! I love her writing style and the arrangement of the stories into seven sections is a help too. I’ve found it such a soothing book to read so far, and although it’s sad to think these women aren’t remembered more, I’m sure this book will change that!
Forgotten Women should be recommended reading for everyone, not just women but boys and men too. I want all of my kids to feel empowered to be whatever they want to be and boy does this book encourage that! I will be pressing this into the hands of anyone who’ll let me (and telling them to read about Virginia Hall, what a woman!)
Thank you to Brazen Books for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2023
I have been loving reading this brilliant book. Discovering more about the amazing women I'd already heard of, and the many, many more that I hadn't. This is the perfect book to dive into for Women's History Month, and essential reading for everyone.
Zing Tsjeng has written a wonderful insight into each incredible woman in two to four pages. I really liked the seven categories the book was organised into; I enjoyed them all and think that "Campaigners" and "Trailblazers" were my favourite sections. This makes Forgotten Women ideal to dip in and out of, or to devour in chunks - it's up to you!
I felt joy discovering the brilliance of these women, along with sadness that they had been forgotten, and the conviction that we can make sure that they don't remain so.
I love books that lead onto books, and I have so many memoirs and autobiographies from this, as well as works by the writers and poets included, to add to my wishlist. I've even jotted down names of women whose stories I think would be great historical fiction novels! Who wouldn't want to read a novel about Christina of Sweden, the King who was bisexual, liked to dress as a man, and who abdicated her throne to be truly free? Or Ching Shi, the Chinese female "Buccaneer"?
Please read this fantastic book and recommend it to all of your friends and family - both male and female. For, as Everyday Sexism author Laura Bates said, "You can't achieve...a culture shift from a whole society without half of that society on board."
Zing Tsjeng has written a wonderful insight into each incredible woman in two to four pages. I really liked the seven categories the book was organised into; I enjoyed them all and think that "Campaigners" and "Trailblazers" were my favourite sections. This makes Forgotten Women ideal to dip in and out of, or to devour in chunks - it's up to you!
I felt joy discovering the brilliance of these women, along with sadness that they had been forgotten, and the conviction that we can make sure that they don't remain so.
I love books that lead onto books, and I have so many memoirs and autobiographies from this, as well as works by the writers and poets included, to add to my wishlist. I've even jotted down names of women whose stories I think would be great historical fiction novels! Who wouldn't want to read a novel about Christina of Sweden, the King who was bisexual, liked to dress as a man, and who abdicated her throne to be truly free? Or Ching Shi, the Chinese female "Buccaneer"?
Please read this fantastic book and recommend it to all of your friends and family - both male and female. For, as Everyday Sexism author Laura Bates said, "You can't achieve...a culture shift from a whole society without half of that society on board."
March 24, 2023
What a fantastic, encyclopaedic history of brilliant women. I found this really made me appreciate how our world has been shaped, and the reason women have played a part in that even without being recognised for it. It is also a great way to acknowledge how women's roles have changed, and how women's roles in various industries are viewed differently compared to how they have been seen historically.
Zing Tseng has perfectly curated this book to shine a light on so many brilliant women whose successes might otherwise be forgotten, especially those who made an impact in a time where women were not appreciated for their work; seen as inferior compared to their male counterparts, or worse, seen as trouble makers.
This book is set out in 7 parts, categorised into these chapters:
Campaigners
Mavericks
Revolutionaries
Trailblazers
World Changers
Truth Tellers
Visionaries
Buy this book, read this book, learn about these women. I have dipped in and out of this book over the past few weeks - perfect for the coffee table, the bedside, heck put it on the shelf in the loo if you like. It's quite chunky so you might enjoy it more as a little reference book to pick up every now and then, woman by woman.
A great gift for anyone in your life who wants to learn more about hidden women, forgotten women, impactful women - I haven't read about everyone included yet, but I am enjoying the journey.
Zing Tseng has perfectly curated this book to shine a light on so many brilliant women whose successes might otherwise be forgotten, especially those who made an impact in a time where women were not appreciated for their work; seen as inferior compared to their male counterparts, or worse, seen as trouble makers.
This book is set out in 7 parts, categorised into these chapters:
Campaigners
Mavericks
Revolutionaries
Trailblazers
World Changers
Truth Tellers
Visionaries
Buy this book, read this book, learn about these women. I have dipped in and out of this book over the past few weeks - perfect for the coffee table, the bedside, heck put it on the shelf in the loo if you like. It's quite chunky so you might enjoy it more as a little reference book to pick up every now and then, woman by woman.
A great gift for anyone in your life who wants to learn more about hidden women, forgotten women, impactful women - I haven't read about everyone included yet, but I am enjoying the journey.
March 25, 2023
This incredibly interesting book is divided into Campaigners, Mavericks, Revolutionaries, Trailblazers, Worldchangers, Truthtellers and Visionaries. Zing has written approximately two to three pages on each of the women she has researched for her book and consequently has created one of those books that you should always have at hand to pick up and read about just one of these incredible women at a time and then give yourself time to reflect on this individual and what she achieved.
I, as yet, haven't read about all of them due to the fact that I decided from the outset that this was a book that didn't deserve a quick read but should be read over months - or even years - so that you have the opportunity to research and find out even more about each of the extraordinary woman Zing Tsjeng has written about.
This is one of those rare books that encourages you to develop your understanding and knowledge of women that have been forgotten and it should be used educate and to ensure that generations to come know about, and talk about, each of these women in their own right.
This book currently has a permanent place on my coffee table and has provided many starting points for conversations with friends.
I highly recommend that, as one review by The Independent states you " Buy a copy for your daughters, sisters, mums, aunts and nieces- just make sure that you also buy a copy for you sons, brothers, dads, uncles and nephews too ". These women must not be forgotten.
I, as yet, haven't read about all of them due to the fact that I decided from the outset that this was a book that didn't deserve a quick read but should be read over months - or even years - so that you have the opportunity to research and find out even more about each of the extraordinary woman Zing Tsjeng has written about.
This is one of those rare books that encourages you to develop your understanding and knowledge of women that have been forgotten and it should be used educate and to ensure that generations to come know about, and talk about, each of these women in their own right.
This book currently has a permanent place on my coffee table and has provided many starting points for conversations with friends.
I highly recommend that, as one review by The Independent states you " Buy a copy for your daughters, sisters, mums, aunts and nieces- just make sure that you also buy a copy for you sons, brothers, dads, uncles and nephews too ". These women must not be forgotten.
March 21, 2023
Forgotten Women was absolutely fascinating and focuses on all the women, who over time have been forgotten and unrecognised for their trailblazing.
The book is split into different sections which made it easier to navigate my way through, it wasn't a short read by any means.
Am I right in thinking the sections were all previously published as individual books?
Forgotten Women took me on an immense journey back through time, where I met some amazing women, who deserved so much more recognition than they received.
Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The book is split into different sections which made it easier to navigate my way through, it wasn't a short read by any means.
Am I right in thinking the sections were all previously published as individual books?
Forgotten Women took me on an immense journey back through time, where I met some amazing women, who deserved so much more recognition than they received.
Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
March 27, 2023
My review for this epic read is on my blog https://thefallenlibrarian.wordpress....
August 5, 2023
I started reading this months ago and would bring this behemoth of a book around with me. At one point I started calling it my bible and I stand by that statement.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews