Salt Lake City native Rio Cortez celebrates women’s history with a groundbreaking new book
From the bestselling creators of The ABCs of Black History comes a vibrant and empowering follow-up that celebrates the women who’ve shaped history — and those continuing to redefine the future. Written by National Book Award nominee and Salt Lake City native Rio Cortez, with illustrations by Lauren Semmer, this new picture book puts the spotlight on the diversity of women who have blazed trails, broken barriers, and changed the world.
The book brims with powerful themes, from A for Artists and Activists to G for Groundbreaking women and L for Labor and Librarians. It highlights pivotal moments in history, such as Kamala Harris becoming the first Black and Asian-American vice president of the United States, the passage of Title IX, and the Seneca Falls Convention. Alongside these moments, readers will also learn about cultural movements like Riot Grrrls, which brought feminist punk to the forefront.
A special focus is placed on the contributions of Black women, brown women, transwomen, and other often-overlooked changemakers who’ve paved the way for greater equity and inclusion.
“This is a book that uplifts not only the history of women but also the rich diversity of those histories,” says Cortez. “It’s about showing young readers that the fight for progress is ongoing and that they, too, can play a role.”
A Salt Lake City native, Cortez is a celebrated writer and Pushcart-nominated poet whose work has appeared in outlets like The Los Angeles Review of Books and Mother Magazine. She is a fellow of Poet’s House, Cave Canem, and CantoMundo and currently resides in Harlem, New York. Cortez’s unique perspective as someone raised in Utah informs her storytelling, grounding it in resilience, community, and a love for social justice.
Semmer is a dynamic artist and designer whose bright, playful style brings Cortez’s words to life. A trained fine artist with a background in art history, Semmer’s work has appeared on children’s apparel, wall art, and in a variety of books. She lives in Manhattan with her family.
This inspiring picture book isn’t just a must-read for children — it’s a celebration of the stories that connect us all. From Utah to Harlem, from the Seneca Falls Convention to the vice-presidential inauguration, Cortez and Semmer remind us of the power of women’s history and the importance of continuing to write the future.
Look for the book at local bookstores or online, and let it inspire the next generation of artists, activists, and allies right here in Salt Lake City.
