EEP and The Curie Society Celebrate Women’s History Month with Top Honors
As we mark the beginning of Women’s History Month, we’re reflecting on the strides women are making in STEM fields, and EEP’s own contributions through our graphic novel, The Curie Society. In the 1970’s, women made up only 8% of STEM workers. As of 2019, we constitute a significantly larger portion at 27%. With more work to do to achieve parity, it is essential that we continue encouraging young women and girls to explore STEM career fields.
From fictitious worlds which can highlight ideas and create motivation, to nonfiction prose, literature can inspire women and girls to pursue their goals and dreams by illuminating paths for the next generation of women in STEM.
The Curie Society – an original EEP graphic novel published by MIT Press – is all about female-first science fiction for the modern era, and so it’s an especially great honor to be chosen by the American Library Association for two of its notable book lists this year: both the “Excellence in Children’s and Young Adult Science Fiction Notable Lists” and “Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18.” As creators who tell stories to inspire young women, we couldn’t be more thrilled!
ALA’s Rise: A Feminist Book Project List is a project which has been promoting quality feminist literature for young readers since 2002. As a part of the ALA’s Feminist Task Force and the Social Responsibilities Round Table, it is a great example of breaking glass ceilings and paving the way for young female readers everywhere. Each year, the project compiles an annotated list of well-written and well-illustrated books with significant feminist content, intended for young readers.
The Hal Clement Notable Young Adult Books List is a part of the ALA’s Core Committee Recognizing Excellence in Children’s and Young Adult Science Fiction, charged with selecting, annotating, and presenting for publication, annually a list of notable children’s and young adult science fiction of the preceding calendar year. The Lists are intended to assist children, their parents, and librarians in selecting books to read and to encourage them to seek out those that are considered notable among the many books available in bookstores and libraries.
Congratulations to The Curie Society creative team, and many thanks to both ALA committees for the recognition! Gift The Curie Society to the inspiring young woman in your life here. We’re looking forward to bringing you the next chapter in the Curie Society’s ongoing science adventures soon – stay tuned for more information coming this fall!