Celebrate the Strength of Women

Contributed by Hallie Sawyer Howard, The Hive Overland Park

Because March was Women’s History Month, I thought I’d highlight three books with some remarkable women as the main characters.

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Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn 

This story starts out following four women on their first job for a clandestine organization called the Museum to them almost taking their last breath while on their retirement vacation, “given” to them after 40 years of work for this same organization. 

They use their cunning to escape from the organization who taught them everything they know and use those talents to ferret out the ones at the top attempting to silence them forever. Who do they think they’re messing with?! These women are trained assassins and have survived menopause! 

You’ll fall in love with these smart, sassy, and strong female characters with their unique personalities and dedication to their lifelong friendship.

This will be like no other book you’ve ever read before. It’s a thriller that’s loaded with harrowing brushes with death along with funny quips about hot flashes and worries of a broken hip. It’s the mashup of James Bond with The Golden Girls that you never knew you needed. 

Side note: The author is writing a sequel which is set to come out in 2025 so the story continues!

The Invisible Woman by Erika Robuck

This biographical fiction novel is set in WWII and follows the story of spy Virginia Hall as she helps those trying to escape occupied France out of the waiting death grip of the Nazis and into the safe hands of Allied Forces. 

First off, Virginia defies society’s expectations of a young woman in America and throws herself into efforts to make a difference in the war overseas. She then finds a way to make it into the British Special Operations Executive and later into the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Special Operations Branch to run intelligence operations that will lead her to become one of the most hunted spies by the Gestapo. 

This story will astound you as you realize all the obstacles Virginia had to overcome to do the work she felt called to do. By defying the expectations of women in the 1930s and 40s, losing part of her leg in a hunting accident, and despite her less-abled body, she became the only civilian woman given The Distinguished Service Cross Award by President Harry Truman at that time. 

You will be amazed, and inspired as you read this thrilling story as Virginia defies the odds that life throws at her and shows up time and time again a hero.

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

Speaking of heroes, Elsa Martinelli becomes the hero of her family many times over as she fights daily to help them all survive one of the darkest times, The Great Depression and the  Dust Bowl era in West Texas. 

This story is set in 1934 on a family farm that has been decimated by unrelenting dust storms which forces Elsa to either stay and fight or flee to California to help find a better life. 

As you read this story, you can practically taste the dust and feel the hunger pangs as Elsa struggles to find her family’s way through this survival story. While this is a tragic time in our nation’s history, you will be inspired as you read page after page of Elsa’s courage rising up as she battles against nature, poverty, danger, discrimination and back-breaking toil. 

Women are warriors each and every day, whether we are fighting off potential dangers threatening our families or the 1,365 emails in our inboxes. I hope you know you have your own amazing story of strength and courage and that the women of these novels would be proud of you, too. 

What strong woman character resonates with you? Let us know in the comments below!