Chelsea Clinton will soon be inspiring young, aspiring feminists and activists through a new children’s picture book. “She Persisted” is written by the daughter of former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. The book will feature the stories of women who overcame opposition to achieve their bold goals.
Entertainment Weekly reports that the picture book will tell the stories of 13 inspirational women in American history. “I wrote this book for everyone who’s ever wanted to speak up but has been told to quiet down, for everyone who’s ever been made to feel less than,” Clinton said in a statement. “The 13 women in She Persisted all overcame adversity to help shape our country—sometimes through speaking out, sometimes by staying seated, sometimes by captivating an audience. With this book, I want to send a message to young readers around the country—and the world—that persistence is power.”
Persistence has changed the course of history – I'm so excited to share stories of girls & women who didn't take no for answer on May 30th! pic.twitter.com/IMWWou6kBX
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) March 16, 2017
The 13 women will include the stories of Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Clara Lemlich, Nellie Bly, Maria Tallchief, Claudette Colvin, Ruby Bridges, Margaret Chase Smith, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, Oprah Winfrey, Sonia Sotomayor and a cameo by another important female figure that has not yet been announced.
The title is a callback to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell silencing Senator Elizabeth Warren during her speech against Jeff Sessions last month. “She was warned,” he said. “She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.” The phrase, “Nevertheless, she persisted,” then became a powerful battle cry for women—trending #LetLizSpeak and #ShePersisted on Twitter the next morning.
"Nevertheless, she persisted." pic.twitter.com/OFVw2EyWCJ
— Sarah Lerner (@SarahLerner) February 8, 2017
Clinton’s first book, “It’s Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going!,” was published in 2015 and was aimed at civic-minded young adults. The book discussed the world’s most pressing issues, including poverty, climate change and gender inequality, according to the Chicago Tribune. It also provided specific steps that young adults could take to solve those issues and change the world around them. Her other book is titled “Governing Global Health: Who Runs the World and Why?”
Hillary Clinton also recently announced that she will be penning her own book, which will contain personal essays and reflect on her loss to Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. The book, which is still untitled, was inspired by hundreds of Clinton’s favorite quotations that have inspired her over the years.
“She Persisted” is due to hit bookshelves on May 30.
Social Media Reacts to “She Persisted,” Chelsea Clinton’s New Picture Book
Congratulations Chelsea! I love the title! The STRUGGLE continues! #womensrightsarehumanrights #andyetshepersisted #resist https://t.co/Yu2ewvHPHa
— tawnya p-wates (@tpwates) March 16, 2017
nice illustrations too…congrats https://t.co/wLYUV2VIMG
— MsC (@msclaudettes) March 16, 2017
I'm calling it now
Chelsea Clinton is going to run for political office in 2024 https://t.co/8DE9ub1FJu— Abhinav (@thexfactorial) March 16, 2017
I'll be needing 100 copies, thank you. https://t.co/Yvbfo8hejb
— Amy // Words and Kisses (@amy_wordskisses) March 16, 2017
“She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.”#ShePersisted #TheResistance #girlpower https://t.co/h8CLYCxn1j
— Janet Joy Wilson (she/her/fietser) (@jsquaredink) March 16, 2017
I sense a lot of baby shower and kindergarten graduation gifts! :) Exciting!
— Jenna Sauber (@cajunjen) March 16, 2017
Aw, what beautiful illustrations! That looks awesome. :)
— Megan Sawyer (@ghost_girl13) March 16, 2017
Fantastic. Can't wait to read this with my daughters. https://t.co/jNXU84UZdr
— Bonnie Rochman (@brochman) March 16, 2017
Will you be picking up a copy of Chelsea Clinton’s “She Persisted”? Whose story do you wish the book would have included? Sound off in the comments section below1
Photo credit: Gage Skidmore, Flickr