On August 26th, we celebrate Women’s Equality Day, commemorating the certification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920. This historic amendment prohibited citizens from being denied the right to vote on the basis of sex.  

It is a celebration and acknowledgment of the dedication, courage, hard work, and long campaigns fought to bring about change. But it is also a reminder that there is still work to do to ensure that everyone is treated fairly.

Here at Once Upon a Book Club, we’re celebrating the powerful women’s stories which have impacted our lives in so many ways. Great stories encourage conversations and change our perceptions. They allow us to see and experience life through someone else’s lens, and when a story touches you personally, it stays with you forever.

It’s time to grab your bookish besties, your favorite bottle of wine, and share the books and stories that changed your lives. Let’s celebrate the powerful women who make the world a better place.

Powerful women's stories OUABC has featured over the years

We have featured some unforgettable women’s stories over the years, and here are four books that stayed with us long after the final page.

The Violinist of Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood: 

We featured this incredibly moving novel in our Historical Fiction 2025 Mini Box along with two beautifully wrapped gifts that brought this novel to life. Based on the true story of Alma Rosé, The Violinist of Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood follows her fight for survival after she is imprisoned at Auschwitz. It is a heartbreaking and inspiring story of courage, sacrifice, and one woman’s determination to save others in the darkest of circumstances.

The Last Assignment by Erika Robuck: 

The Last Assignment by Erika Robuck was featured in our September 2025 “Through Her Lens” adult book box. This is the gripping and inspiring true story of award-winning photojournalist Dickey Chapelle, who risked everything to show the American people the price of war through the lens of her camera.

The Women by Kristin Hannah: 

Featured in our February 2024 Adult “Their Untold Stories” Box, The Women by Kristin Hannah follows Frankie McGrath, a young Army nurse who serves in Vietnam and returns home to a divided country unwilling to recognize the sacrifices of women veterans. It is a powerful story of courage, friendship, loss, and the women whose service was too often forgotten. 

Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews: 

Featured in our “Suffrage & Sabotage" full book box with four gorgeous gifts that bring this book to life, Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews is a historical romance following Euphemia Flite, a highly trained operative sent to bring down a powerful viscount threatening women’s rights. Her mission becomes complicated when Gabriel Royce, a cunning underworld figure with his own plans, turns their rivalry into a dangerous battle of secrets, ambition, and unexpected desire. 

Books about powerful women for the reader on your list

There is something about powerful women that resonates with all of us. Whether she is fighting against injustice, discovering her own voice, or refusing to be silenced or controlled, these stories often change the way we see ourselves. Here are a few of our team’s recommendations for your Women’s Equality Day TBR pile!

Saving Five: A Memoir of Hope by Amanda Nguyen is a deeply personal memoir about survival, healing, and the activism that helped transform the rights of sexual assault survivors. 

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot uncovers the woman behind the HeLa cells and explores the extraordinary medical discoveries made without her knowledge or consent. 

In How to Say Babylon, Safiya Sinclair shares her journey from a restrictive childhood in Jamaica toward freedom through education, poetry, and her own powerful voice. 

Weyward by Emilia Hart connects three women across five centuries in an atmospheric story of female resilience, nature, and reclaimed independence. 

Leigh Bardugo’s The Familiar follows a servant whose hidden magical abilities draw her into a dangerous world of ambition, power, and the Spanish Inquisition. 

Finally, Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese reimagines the woman who may have inspired The Scarlet Letter, creating a captivating story of creativity, freedom, and female ambition. 

Women's Equality Day gifts under $50

We all have those women who we admire. Perhaps they have shaped our lives, changed the way we see the world, or simply been there when we needed them most. Women’s Equality Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the incredible women in your life.

We often forget to acknowledge each other, and nothing beats getting a bookish gift! It’s the perfect way to say thank you for being part of my life, and it’s a fun way to remind her that her story matters too!

Bookish Apparel

Our bookish apparel collection is every book lover's dream. We love wearing our bookish hearts on our sleeves, literally! From embroidered tees to vintage hats, our apparel lets every reader celebrate the stories they love wherever they go, like our “Return To The Bookstore” embroidered tee or the “I put my book down to be here” embroidered vintage hat!

Bookish Phone Cases

When it comes to bookish phone cases, our collection stands out above the rest, and our latest additions are flying off the shelves. Personally, I can’t make up my mind between the “Hot girls read books” or the “Enemies to Lovers” phone cases. 

OUABC Lite Book Boxes

Our OUABC Lite boxes are always a hit and make an unforgettable gift! Paper items wrapped in envelopes incorporate the five senses (sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch) to highlight moments that make you feel like you're part of the story in the most immersive way possible. 

Our latest OUABC Lite features a new first edition of The Unknown by bestselling author Riley Sager! This stunning hardcover features designed endpapers, a foil-stamped case, hued edges, a shimmery jacket, and a signed tip-in from the author!

Reading Journals

Our reading journals are always popular and fly off the shelves. Our exclusive, fabric-bound journals available in Periwinkle Prose, Classic Coral, and Seafoam Stories feature beautiful floral endpapers and ribbon bookmarks. Every journal includes 75 review pages, fun prompts, and space to capture favorite quotes, unforgettable characters, and every five-star read. 

Bookish Gift Guide

Make sure to check out our gift guides, which are perfect for finding just the right bookish gift! You can shop by genre, reader type, new arrivals, or even by the team’s favorites! (My current favorites include the YA Fantasy Mini Box 2025 and the Book Coasters!

Gift Cards are always a hit! Check out our blog, How to make a bookish gift card feel personal: A OUABC Gifting Guide

Women's Equality Day books and gifts: Celebrate the stories that change readers

We love celebrating the stories that showcase women’s experiences and achievements. This Women’s Equality Day, take a moment to celebrate and acknowledge the strong and powerful women in your life.

Whether you share your latest favorite read, choose the perfect bookish gift, or simply get together for a glass of wine or coffee, make this Women’s Equality Day special by sharing it with those who have made a difference in your life. 

Our stories matter.