About the Book
"In what can be a disheartening era for women, Asha Dahya delivers hope. The women chronicled here, from activists to entrepreneurs will provide every feminist in your life not only with inspiration but with motivation to go out and change the world." -- Jennifer Wright, author of We Came First: Dating Advice from Women In History and Political Editor-at-Large for Harper's Bazaar Meet the women and female-identifying heroes who have defied death, flouted cultural norms, and risen above poverty to become CEOs, entrepreneurs, activists, role models, media moguls, and movement creators. This collection of stories, essays, and interviews celebrates their superpowers: love, determination, vision, and grit. These 50 women share their wisdom and advice in ways that will inspire you to discover your own superpower.
Each story will transport you into the life and perspective of one who dares to challenge the status quo, dismantle barriers, and empower those around her: Alexa Carlin, a CEO at the age of 17, overcame a 1% chance of surviving sepsis and started the Women Empowerment Expo; Mariah Hanson launched "the Dinah," the world's largest party and music festival for lesbians; activist and gun control advocate Shira Tarantino founded the ENOUGH Campaign; Laverne Delgado is program director of Fashion & Freedom, which rescues victims of sex trafficking and helps them learn skills to enter the fashion industry; plus dozens of other women who refused to accept societal limitations and whose achievements offer inspiring lessons for us all. "Asha Dahya's Today's Wonder Women takes you on an exciting journey through the voices and stories of women from around the world. Asha's voice is uplifting, inspiring, healing, and optimistic. By the end of the book, you feel like you have gained a new sisterhood of female changemakers to inspire you on a daily basis. Today's Wonder Women will leave you feeling emboldened to take up more space, use your voice, and be the hero in your own story." -- Tabby Biddle, Women's Leadership Coach, TEDx Speaker, and bestselling author of Find Your Voice "This collection of stories, essays, and interviews celebrates a diverse set of inspiring women across the globe who are leveling the playing field for future generations of women and girls. Any reader will find wisdom, experiences, and lessons that resonate with them in the pages of this book. This is a must-read for gender justice advocates everywhere working to secure gender equity in their communities and workplaces." -- Emerald Archer, PhD, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for the Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles. "A beautiful cross-section of inspiration and leadership, offering more than platitudes or stories of luck or happenstance. Today's Wonder Woman is full of ideas and organizations to help you further pursue what you were born to do." -- Kristie Holmes, Co-Chair, United Nations Civil Society Press & Media Subcommittee "We are in a unique moment in history where women's stories of strength and resilience help illuminate a more integrated image of what it means to be fearless and female in the twenty-first century. Asha Dahya has compiled stories, essays, and interviews that teach us about the extraordinary works of ordinary women." -- Helen Slater, actress Supergirl (1984) "In Today's Wonder Women, Asha Dahya does exactly what all who are interested in real progress should do: she passes the mic to those women, often on the margins, who are doing some of the most challenging work to advance social, racial and economic justice -- and to make a name for themselves in environments that have been hostile to women, people of color, and religious and sexual minorities. This book inspires awe and action." -- Raquel Evita Saraswati, Muslim feminist activist, writer, NOW Philadelphia Woman of the Year 2019 "As a young girl it was my imagination that led me to become one of the first leading female live action superheroes of color. The key to playing a superhero is belief. In these pages Asha has captured a glimpse of real life superheroes. Women who not only possess the ability to believe but a superpower to inspire." -- Ciera Foster, actress, speaker and activist who plays Livewire in Ninjak Versus the Valiant Universe for Valiant Comics "Today's Wonder Women is more than inspiring stories of epic culture-shifting leaders. It's a guide for realizing our time is now, our power is within, and the change is us. Asha Dahya provides a must-read resource for anyone ready to forge a living legacy through grit, vision, humanity, and audacious belief in their own ability to affect change." -- Joy Donnell, producer, author of Beyond Brand "Today's Wonder Women gives women the opportunity to experience people just like them doing extraordinary work that impacts the world in a powerful and positive way. Asha's inclusion of individuals from different walks of life and career paths makes this an easy to engage book for anyone looking for great inspiration." -- Sabrina K. Garba, founder, Women's Impact Accelerator and the Glass Ladder Group "There are moments in history when we remember who we are, we begin to challenge ideals that no longer work for us and we set out to create an entirely new framework of womanhood that includes all of us -- women, women of color, mothers, all who feel underrepresented and overlooked. We are at that moment right now. In Today's Wonder Women, Asha Dahya gives voice to those who we all need to hear today on our journey toward change -- women who turned adversity into strength to help others, women who defied all odds, women who stand up and lead every day and forge a new path forward. These stories will resonate with many women across the globe and all who need to hear -- we can do it." -- Simona Grace, activist, writer, and founder of Moms in Office PAC & online media forum