So you want to become an intersectional feminist… but how?

Here are 13 Intersectional Feminist Must-Reads to Get You Started

Against White Feminism
Rafia Zakaria

A critique of the ways mainstream feminism prioritizes the experiences of white, Western women while marginalizing women of color, particularly from the Global South. The book advocates for a decolonized feminist approach that acknowledges diverse struggles and challenges readers to confront feminism's complicity in perpetuating inequalities.

Bad Feminist
Roxane Gay 

In this book, Gay explores the complexities of feminism, arguing that one can be a feminist while acknowledging personal contradictions. Using examples from pop culture, Gay discusses gender, race, and body image, emphasizing that embracing imperfections leads to a more nuanced understanding of feminism.

Black Trans Feminism
Marquis Bey

This collection of essays 
explores the intersection of 
Black womanhood, centering on redefining blackness, transness, and feminism beyond traditional identities. It views Black trans feminism as a radical approach to abolishing hegemonic categories and gender norms, emphasizing abolition and gender radicality.

Braiding Sweetgrass
Robin Wall Kimmerer

Kimmerer combines her scientific training as a botanist with her Indigenous heritage to explore the profound relationships between Native peoples and the natural world. She emphasizes that recognizing our reciprocal connections with nature is essential for awakening ecological consciousness and understanding the gifts that other living beings offer.

Disability Visibility
Alice Wong

"Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century," edited by Alice Wong, is an anthology of essays by disabled individuals that delves into the complexities of living with disabilities today. Featuring diverse voices, it addresses topics such as identity, activism, and the intersections of disability with race, gender, and sexuality while celebrating resilience and advocating for inclusion and justice.

Feminism is for Everybody
bell hooks 

bell hooks defines feminism as a movement aimed at eliminating sexism, exploitation, and oppression, emphasizing its potential to impact the lives of everyone. In this book, she encourages readers to recognize that feminism is for everybody, highlighting its inclusive nature and the importance of addressing social injustices.

The Complete Persepolis
Marjane Satrapi

This graphic memoir depicts the author’s experiences growing up in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution. It addresses the complexities of gender, religion, and politics while challenging stereotypes and highlighting the diverse experiences of women in Iranian society.

The Hate U Give
Angie Thomas

This intersectional feminist work explores how race, class, and gender intersect in the life and activism of a Black woman, revealing the complex impact of multiple forms of oppression on marginalized individuals.

The Sky Was Once a Dark Blanket 
Kinsale Drake

This book explores the relationships between Native peoples and the Southwest landscape, intertwining themes of land, pop culture, and music. The collection addresses Indigenous identity and the complexities of being Indigenous, queer, and formerly emo in the twenty-first century.

So You Want to Talk About Race
Ijeoma Oluo

This book explores how race intersects with gender, class, and sexuality to shape experiences of oppression and privilege. The book offers a nuanced examination of systemic racism and the complex interactions of various forms of discrimination.

Women, Race, and Class
Angela Davis 

In this feminist classic, Davis argues that U.S. feminism has been limited by racism and classism, often ignoring Black women's experiences. Davis promotes an intersectional approach, emphasizing the need to address interconnected systems of oppression throughout history.

Zami: A New Spelling of My Name
Audre Lorde

This poetic memoir blends autobiography with myth, exploring Lorde's experiences growing up as a Black lesbian in the mid-20th century. The book traces her personal and political relationships, reflecting on themes of identity, sexuality, race, and the search for community.

They Fell Like Stars From the Sky & Other Stories
Sheikha Helawy

A collection of interwoven short stories that examines identity, migration, and displacement within the Iranian diaspora. The narratives reveal the complexities of belonging, loss, and love, portraying characters navigating cultural divides and the emotional burdens of their histories.

Check out the full FEMINIST reading list

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Why Intersectional Feminist Books Matter:

→ They examine how multiple forms of oppression intersect and create unique experiences of discrimination

→ They challenge traditional feminist narratives by highlighting diverse realities of women and marginalized groups

→ They promote a more inclusive and effective approach to fighting for equality

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