Women’s History Month:
Celebrating the Women Behind Board Games and Books
March is Women’s History Month, a time dedicated to recognising the contributions and achievements that women have made throughout history.
This month also hosts an opportunity to celebrate the women who have created, inspired and shaped many of the hobbies and interests we enjoy today. As someone who spends a lot of time reading and playing board games, this feels like the perfect occasion to discuss the women behind the stories and games that I love most.
Women in Books:
In the world of books, it is impossible to ignore the impact that so many talented women have made on the stories we read. Many of my favourite authors are women, and some of my most-loved books are centred around women’s experiences. Because of this, Women’s History Month feels like the perfect time to highlight some of these female-centred stories.
One stand-out female author is Coco Mellors, and both of her hit books ‘Cleopatra and Frankenstein’ and ‘Blue Sisters’ are, in my opinion, five star reads. Mellors has such a beautiful way of writing contemporary stories that allows readers to feel fully immersed in the lives and emotions of her characters.
The first novel by Coco Mellors that I read was ‘Blue Sisters’, and it is a book that I will always recommend to girls with sisters. It is one of my all-time favourite reads. This story follows the perspective of three sisters, each living their estranged lives following the loss of their youngest sister. Much like her debut novel ‘Cleopatra and Frankenstein’, Mellors writes a character driven story that follows the emotional journeys of the main characters.
While many contemporary novels focus on the topic of romantic love, this book is centred around the powerful love felt between siblings. As a sister, I felt myself resonating a lot with the characters and the love they shared for their sisters. It is also a great dive into girlhood, grief and familial conflicts. With a beautiful exploration of such topics, Mellors manages to create a story that is so emotionally charged and captivating.
Similarly, another (far more well-known) novel that focuses on sisterhood is ‘Little Women’ by Louisa May Alcott. This classic novel again follows the story of four wildly different sisters, and their lives as they grow up, each facing their own struggles while remaining connected through their strong familial bond. As this novel was written in the 19th century, it often reflects the societal expectations placed on women at that time. For this reason, ‘Little Women’ would be a great book to read during Women’s History Month, as it explores some of the pressures women have endured in the past.
Another of my five star reads is ‘Hamnet’ by Maggie O’Farrell. This novel tells the story of William Shakespeare’s family, through a completely new lens. What makes this book stand out is that it centres around the character Agnes, who in many historical accounts is rarely given more than a brief mention. In this retelling, however, O’Farrell brings Agnes (known historically as Anne Hathaway) to life, portraying her as an intuitive, resilient and strong female main character. Through rich, descriptive writing, O’Farrell transforms this scarcely documented figure into the emotional centre of the story, offering a powerful reflection of a mother’s love.
Looking at my bookshelves, it is clear that so many of the books I enjoy are written by women, and it would take me forever to talk about each one, though of course they deserve the mention. From chilling thriller novels by Frieda McFadden (of which many I have enjoyed), to cozy romances by Emily Henry, there is truly no shortage of amazing books written by women.
Women in Board Games:
Unfortunately, though there are too many female authors to discuss in just one blog post, the same can not be said for female board game designers. While there are many women working across the tabletop game industry (as artists, writers, publishers etc.), female board game designers are harder to find. When researching for this piece, it quickly became clear that the list of women in board game design is far shorter than it should be. However I still wanted to talk about this topic, as Women’s History Month is also about raising awareness of the inequalities that still exist, and highlighting areas where female representation is lacking. By recognising the women who have helped shape tabletop gaming, we can not only celebrate their contributions but also encourage a more diverse and inclusive future for women in the board game community.
A very early example of female influence on board games is Elizabeth Magie. In 1904, she designed ‘The Landlord’s Game’ which inspired one of the most well known board games, ‘Monopoly’. Magie’s role here went unrecognised for years, but without her initial idea, would this game even exist?
In more recent years, designers such as Elizabeth Hargrave have helped bring visibility to women in the board game industry. Her game ‘Wingspan’ became a great success, showing that games inspired by themes of nature and science could capture the imagination of players around the world.
So, while the number of female board game designers may still be small, the tabletop gaming world is changing. More women are entering the industry, and bringing new ideas with them. At the same time, women continue to shape the literary world by bringing new stories to life.
Women’s History Month is a great opportunity not only to celebrate the incredible contributions women have already made, but also to recognise where there is room for growth. Supporting and highlighting female creatives helps ensure that even more voices are heard in the future. And who knows, maybe the next bestselling author or groundbreaking board game designer is being inspired right now!
💡 Looking for your next read by a leading lady in romance? Check out our Me Before You by Jojo Moyes review.
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