For centuries, women writers have been making their mark on the world of literature, breaking through barriers and inspiring readers with their stories. From fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, classic novels, to modern memoirs, the works of women writers have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we want to take time to honour female authors who have helped shaped the literary world as we know it today. So, join us as we take a closer look at some of the remarkable women who continue to inspire us today!
Rita Kakati-Shah
Award-winning entrepreneur, public speaker, media contributor, best-selling author, and recognized by President Joe Biden with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for her international mentoring and volunteering to support young people, women, and minorities of all ages.
Her book, Goddess of Go-Getting, has become the number-one bestseller across multiple categories on Amazon.
Cathy Mulroy
Cathy Mulroy has written a historical memoir of her 30 years at Inco, a giant Canadian mining company in Sudbury.
My View from the Blacked Rocks is about her experiences in this mining corporation and community. Cathy has since joined the Sudbury Writers’ Guild and is looking forward to working on fiction, poetry, and screenwriting.
Heather Shtuka
She became a passionate advocate of missing persons. In collaboration with three amazing women, a non-profit that supports families of missing people was founded.
Heather uses writing as a way to raise awareness for those still waiting to find their way home, as with her book, Missing from Me.
Blaise Hunter
Blaise is an international speaker, podcast host, copywriter, fertility expert, and certified human rights advocate. She tackles the realities of issues women face, from low confidence and lack of identity to social injustices. In 2020 she won the Influencer Award at the Canadian Women of Inspiration Awards.
She authored the best-selling book Captain Communicator.
Namita Mahanama
Namita Mahanama draws upon her professional knowledge as well as her own first-hand experience suffering through two post-natal depressions after having both of her children.
Shining the Light on PND was created as a survival guide by allowing the reader to see exactly what she was thinking and feeling in hopes that if you recognize this in yourself or your partner, you will gain the strength to reach out for help.
Greta Archbold
Dr. Greta shares her harrowing experience of being on board a cruise ship when it was caught in the global COVID-19 pandemic.
She penned the book Church on a Death Ship: A Personal Miracle Experience.
Archbold’s short story has since been published four times, and drawn interest for both its religious and humane content.
Chantel Riley
Chantel has an impressive résumé as an actress, appearing as Nala in The Lion King on Broadway, and appearing on several television shows in the United States and Canada.
Her positive-affirmations book for children, I Am…: Precious Affirmations, has landed her on eTalk, a national entertainment television show in Canada.
Rebecca Hamilton
She has created a successful local bakery business called Chick Boss Cake. It is the #1 bakery and dessert spot that all the locals in southwestern Ontario are obsessed with.
She wrote the book The Million Dollar Bakery. She also hosts her own blog and podcast called Scrap the Sweet Talk, where she focuses on sharing her best business and life tips centred on creating the life of your dreams.
Vali Benson
Her debut novel Blood and Silver received a gold medal in two categories at the San Francisco Book Festival, first place at the New York Book Festival in the young adult category, and first place in the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards and Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards.
The Arizona-based author was also a winner at the Paris Book Festival, Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, and the American Fiction Awards, among several others.
Lisa Bournelis
Inspired by her child’s experiences with OCD during the pandemic, she wanted to uplift children struggling with anxiety during this extraordinary time, by showing that they are the heroes of their own stories, and by sharing the hopeful message that adjustments to the way we think can transform our circumstances.
Lisa delivered a TEDx talk that speaks to her son’s story and the genesis of her book, Louie and the Dictator.
Peta-Ann Wood
Peta-Ann is a holistic counsellor; reiki master; colour therapist, and lover of divination tools.
She is also a breast cancer survivor who had a bilateral mastectomy in her mid-40s.
She received glowing reviews with her book, What Happens When They Don’t Grow Back : The Upside Down View of Life After a Bilateral Mastectomy.
Belinda Cai
Belinda draws on her inspiration as a special-education teacher who has worked extensively with students with autism, students with emotional disturbances, and students with behaviour disorders in her book Red Fred.
She hopes this book will guide children to create their own toolboxes and become self-aware, resilient, and lifelong learners.
All these success stories are from our women authors with exceptional works, literary gems that continue to inspire us.
Thanks for reading!
