What do Alice Guy-Blaché, Carmen Herrera, and Claudia Rankine have in common? They are all exceptional women in the new book Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Immigrant Women Who Changed the World. This third installment in the popular Rebel Girls book series allows young girls to travel the globe and be home by bedtime. It also teaches tolerance and sparks important conversations about immigration. What Does it Mean to be a Rebel Girl? The book contains one hundred biographies of immigrant women who left their birth countries for a multitude of reasons: some for new opportunities, some out of necessity. From chefs and surgeons, to musicians and politicians, to champions of judo and chess, these extraordinary stories will inspire girls everywhere to follow their dreams, no matter where they lead. Seventy female illustrators worked on the book to beautifully depict the women celebrated. In its preface, Rebel Girls founder Elena Favilli shares she herself immigrated to the United States from Italy. Favilli also writes, “People often ask me what it means to be a Rebel Girl, and there can be many definitions—just like we are all different from one another. At her heart, a Rebel Girl is someone who tries to make the world better for herself and the people around her, no matter the risks.” The book’s age range is five to ten-years-old. Rebel Girls Podcast Favilli created the first two volumes of the Rebel Girls books with Francesca Cavallo. The Rebel Girls brand prides itself on throwing out forced stereotypes, breaking down barriers and emphasizing the inherent value …

Bestselling author and illustrator Kate Allan put out the perfect book for 2020. Titled You’re Strong, Smart and You Got This: Drawings, Affirmations, and Comfort to Help with Anxiety and Depression, the work blends sunshine drawings and powerful words. The book not only provides a supportive voice for readers when they’re overwhelmed, it is also a gentle reminder we should treat ourselves with more kindness. Allan began creating to cope with her own depression and anxiety. As her work grew, she started posting drawings on Tumblr. People took notice, a community was born, and today Allan’s social handle, The Latest Kate, reaches more than 100,000 people. Allan corresponded with Girls That Create via email. Q&A With Kate Allan As a young girl, did you see yourself becoming an illustrator one day? Were you always pulled towards drawing or is it something you found later in life? I’ve always loved to draw, but because I had very low self-esteem growing up, I never thought I’d be a creative professional in any form. So now that I have published work, patrons, and people following my art from week-to-week, the whole thing can still feel unreal. It’s like a good dream I don’t want to wake up from. Did you have a favorite picture book growing up? Animated film? Oh, absolutely! I loved fairy tales– my favorite picture book was Snow White and Rose Red, illustrated by Sheilah Beckett. She had this, like, art nouveau style crossed with a bright 70’s technicolor design. It’s so pretty! My favorite …

Every four years The Professional Association for Design (AIGA) activates its community of designers across the U.S. and beyond to Get Out the Vote. The 2020 Get Out the Vote: Empowering the Women’s Vote poster campaign (in partnership with the League of Women Voters) invites AIGA members to design nonpartisan posters to commemorate the beginning of 100 years of women’s voting rights. This campaign aspires to support voter participation, while also offering examination of the history of voting rights and women’s fight for equality. “For more than a century, women have played a fundamental role in shaping an inclusive and active electorate. Women have powered—and continue to power—the vote. Even as this year continues to bring unprecedented challenges to our communities and our democracy, we know that our nation is at its best when everyone has a chance to participate,” said Virginia Kase, CEO of the League of Women Voters of the United States. See all the submissions here.  Five Posters Empowering the Women’s Vote Title: All the Cool Girls Vote Submitted By: Lynell Ingram AIGA Chapter: Chicago Artist Statement: “Voting is our right, our duty, and our power. I believe in women, women’s’ empowerment, and our ability to influence the world and our collective futures for the better. This is my watercolor painting to put what I want to scream from the rooftop into an image and to speak to all of us, including the young or disenfranchised. We need our voices to be heard, on all platforms, but especially at the ballot box.” Title: Her …

The good folks over at Teaching Tolerance have made 33 powerful posters (from The One World series) free to download. Originally featured in Teaching Tolerance Magazine, the posters are 11″ x 17″ and high resolution. Educators can easily print and then place them to inspire both students and teachers in classrooms. In addition to posters, Teaching Tolerance offers lessons, learning plans, teaching strategies, student texts, film kits and more on their website. The organization also produces several podcasts: The Mind Online Queer America Teaching Hard History Go to the Teaching Tolerance website to download any of the 33 poster works. Click the thumbnail for an image file, suitable for your device wallpaper or using in your teaching materials. Or click the ‘Download PDF’ link for a high resolution version suitable for printing these 11″ x 17″ posters at school or your local office supply store. Five of The One World Posters Frida Kahlo Summer 2018 Illustration by Luis Pinto   bell hooks Fall 2004 Illustration by Antoaneta Demireva Ruby Dee Fall 2015 Illustration by Tanamachi Studio Harvey Milk Summer 2017 Illustration by James Victore Kay Ulanday Barrett Spring 2020 Illustration by Lisa Quine About Teaching Tolerance The mission of Teaching Tolerance is to help teachers and schools educate children and youth to be active participants in a diverse democracy. The organization provides free resources to educators—teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners—who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use their materials to supplement curriculum, inform practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where …

Here are 10 powerful quotes from women Latinx artists that speak of perseverance, possibilities, and staying rooted in who you are. Curious about the term Latinx? Read Shereen Marisol Meraji’s post ‘Hispanic,’ ‘Latino,’ Or ‘Latinx’? Survey Says … for NPR Code Switch. Latinx Heritage Month (Hispanic Heritage Month) is celebrated nationally from September 15 to October 15. 10 Powerful Quotes From Women Latinx Artists “Write with your eyes like painters, with your ears like musicians, with your feet like dancers. You are the truthsayer with quill and torch. Write with your tongues of fire. Don’t let the pen banish you from yourself.” ~Gloria E. Anzaldúa, author, poet, activist “I believe in the possibility of art being disruptive and trying to break boundaries and resist prior tendencies and norms of society.” Graciela Carnevale, artist “Art is above religion and politics because all humans are capable of creating, and we are all artists.” Marta Minujín, conceptual and performance artist “I’ve been a story-teller all my life but I realized it only recently.” ~Isabel Allende, writer “Being an artist doesn’t start because you’re 21, and it doesn’t end because you’re 51. You are who you are until the day you die.” ~Jennifer Lopez, actress, singer, dancer, fashion designer “My weapon has always been language, and I’ve always used it, but it has changed. Instead of shaping the words like knives now, I think they’re flowers, or bridges.” Sandra Cisneros, writer “All I tell artists is, ‘Do what you love. Never let anybody talk you into changing what your musical idea is …

I’ve been thinking about what to share on this important day in United States history. Then it clicked, a reading of The Emancipation Proclamation. This one is by the good folks at NPR. “Black Back” Also, Junebug Productions released a poem from its iconic Gomel production. Written and performed by poet Sunni Patterson, “Black Back” is a beautiful piece of work everyone should watch. Before COVID-19 travel and social distancing restrictions, Junebug Productions was slated to showcase Gomela live in Brooklyn, NY, on Juneteenth in collaboration with 651 ARTS, Hi-ARTS, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The performance is now scheduled for June 2021, with more details forthcoming. “While we were unable to showcase Gomela live on Juneteenth as originally planned, it is my hope that the release and viewing of “Black Back” will inspire the healing and return of black love and black joy in America during a time that has been fueled by our continued fight for social justice and equality,” said Junebug Productions’ Executive Artistic Director, Stephanie McKee-Anderson. To learn more about Gomela, visit Junebug Productions online. You can also view this performance Sunni Patterson gave at TED. She was accompanied by dancer Chanice Holmes. Banding Together Speaking of dance, with Broadway still shuttered alum Tavia Riveé conceived and directed this video of Black performers banding together to show off their moves in some of New York City’s most famous spots. The New York Times has put together a collection of cultural institutions who are providing at-home opportunities to youngsters during the pandemic. If you can, …

It’s not unprecedented. I am done with that one, seen over and over in headlines, emails, speeches. Unprecedented feels like a poor sloppy stand-in for the word we should be using to describe this time. I’ve heard friends say the universe is done with humanity’s antics; we’ve all been put in the ultimate time out. The more optimistic have dubbed this time “the great pause” so we can refocus on what truly matters. I hope you will find the best word to describe it for yourself. One that gives strength to push forward and shine a bright light in the darkness. I’m thinking mine will be perseverance. Be well, be safe. May Links Bonanza Things to take your mind off the virus that will not be named. Madeline Miller on Myth, Nostalgia, and How Power Corrupts: I had the opportunity to read Circe for my book club and thoroughly enjoyed it. Ezra Klein over at Vox interviewed author Miller, give it a listen. If You’ve Always Wanted To Write A Book, Here’s How: NPR Life Kit is back, this time with how to start that book you’ve always hoped to write (bonus, they provide recommendations for books about writing). My Darling Vivian: You may or may not know, I love Johnny Cash’s music. Unsurprisingly this documentary about Vivian Liberto, Cash’s first wife, caught my interest. The film was scheduled to screen at the SXSW Film Festival in March. You can now view it online for free through Amazon. AV Club has also put together a list …

International Women’s Day is today (#IWD2020)! A global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, the day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. This year’s theme #EachforEqual reminds us a gender equal world can be a healthier, wealthier and more harmonious one. Consider These Key Points An equal world is an enabled world The rise of women is not about the fall of men Everyone can play a role in forging gender parity Gender balance is not a women’s issue, it’s an economic issue Advocacy, inclusive mindsets and tangible action are needed from all Journalist and activist Gloria Steinem once said, “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” Visibility of Creatives A key piece of IWD is to increase the visibility of women creatives and promote their work for commercial projects. This year IWD joined forces with the all-women street artist group International Women’s Crew to run an IWD Street Art Competition. Female street artists worldwide made works based on three categories: #EachforEqual, Happy International Women’s Day, and Women’s Equality. Go see their powerful submissions. IWD also holds a photography competition and typography competition (winners have now been announced). Seeking a woman typographer for a project? Look through all the 2020 entries and connect with creators online. Additionally, you can read about multi-talented musician C Cane who made this IWD video on the importance of taking action today. What You Can …

10 powerful quotes from women in music. Often it just takes strong words and good songs to lift spirits. If you’re really in a rut, I suggest downloading the incredible catalogs of these artists and putting the headphones on. 10 Powerful Quotes from Women in Music “You can’t move mountains by whispering at them.” ~P!nk “My legacy is that I stayed on course… from the beginning to the end, because I believed in something inside of me.” ~Tina Turner “I believe in individuality, that everybody is special, and it’s up to them to find that quality and let it live.” ~Grace Jones “My mother would really make me notice the world of women, and in Latin America they have a kind of magic in that they make society function in every kind of intimate way, as well as in the bigger picture.” ~Lila Downs “You have to fail and then get better. Then you have to fail again, and then get even better.” ~Lady Gaga “Everyone looks to an artist for something more than just the music, and that message of being comfortable in my own skin is number one for me.” ~Lizzo “We only have one rule and that is there are no rules, so stand up and sing as much as you want to.” ~Natalie Maines (The Chicks) “Women are not always taken as seriously as we should be, so sometimes we have to put our foot down.” ~Missy Elliott “Each individual is as individual as their fingerprints, and I think that’s extraordinary.” …

How is it already 2020?!? To kick off the new year I want to share a few links worth noting, which includes NPR’s dive into why making art is good for your health. Also, if you sign up for the Girls That Create newsletter, you’ll now automatically receive lovely quote artwork by the talented Laura Castillo (who also designed the Girls That Create logo). Display in your home, office or wherever you need a happy boost. To receive, sign up on the right-hand side of this page. Your email address will not be shared with any outside parties and you can always opt out at the bottom of newsletters or by contacting me directly. Magical Links Making Art is Good for Your Health. Here’s How To Start A Habit: The act of creation can reduce stress and anxiety and improve your mood. I call that winning. NPR has put together a new Life Kit with six things you need to know to kick-start a creative art habit. They also have a post on Quieting Your Inner Critic. Speech by Maxine Bailey: The former vice-president of advancement at Toronto International Film Festival gave this moving speech at December’s Women in Film and Television Toronto Crystal Awards Gala, where she received the Special Jury Award of Distinction. New study reveals the number and percentage of female directors of top films reached a 13-year high in 2019: 12 women directed one of the 100 top films in 2019. While the overall percentage of female directors across the 13-year time frame remains 4.8 percent, 2019’s …