A Black Women's History of the United States

ReVisioning American History, Book 5

By: Daina Ramey Berry, Kali Nicole Gross

Narrated by: Janina Edwards

The award-winning Revisioning American History series continues with this “groundbreaking new history of Black women in the United States” (Ibram X. Kendi)—the perfect companion to An Indigenous People’s History of the United States and An African American and Latinx History of the United States.

An empowering and intersectional history that centers the stories of African American women across 400+ years, showing how they are—and have always been—instrumental in shaping our country.

In centering Black women’s stories, two award-winning historians seek both to empower African American women and to show their allies that Black women’s unique ability to make their own communities while combatting centuries of oppression is an essential component in our continued resistance to systemic racism and sexism. Daina Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross offer an examination and celebration of Black womanhood, beginning with the first African women who arrived in what became the United States to African American women of today.

A Black Women’s History of the United States reaches far beyond a single narrative to showcase Black women’s lives in all their fraught complexities. Berry and Gross prioritize many voices: enslaved women, freedwomen, religious leaders, artists, queer women, activists, and women who lived outside the law. The result is a starting point for exploring Black women’s history and a testament to the beauty, richness, rhythm, tragedy, heartbreak, rage, and enduring love that abounds in the spirit of Black women in communities throughout the nation.

©2020 Daina Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross (P)2020 Beacon Press

Critic reviews

2021 NAACP Image Award Nominee: Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction

Honorable Mention for the 2021 Organization of American Historians Darlene Clark Hine Award

“This book is a font of inspiration . . . A compact, exceptionally diverse introduction to the history of black women in America.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“A substantial addition to popular history. Will likely be well-received by black women seeking better historical representation and by allies looking to educate themselves about black history.” —Library Journal, Starred Review

Needed Reading

Looking at history is realizing that it is her story as well. Black women have provided guidance, blood and sweat and continue to guide the trajectory of the United States. Whether is pro-active or reactive Black women are the catalyst for change. Black women are also the muscle in resistance.
This book takes a look at some names you will know and readily recognize while others may be new but no less important. Thjs amazing walk through history/herstory will enlighten and teach and of course change your mind with reinforcements about how we got to this moment and who got us here

Skye Approved

Very accessible narrative and important perspective of the American experience. Would love to read more like this.

Taught me so much !!

Not only does it cover early history but covers things that are happening right now !! Highly recommend!!

LOVE THIS!!

Fantastic walk through the contributions of Black Women's gifts, talents, and sacrifices for freedom, equality, and celebration of culture. Exactly what we need to renew and stay with the good fight until victory is won.

Informative and Infutiating

Thank you for the hard work you all put into this work! As a white women I am as inspired as well as horrified to learn the details that have been hidden from our shared history.

A must read for everyone to understand US History, the role and journey of the black woman.

The information was a great overview of the heartaches, triumphs and difficulties black women have faced over the years and still persevere. Great synopsis. The delivery of the voice over was gentle and calming while listening to difficult historical accounts. Well done on all accounts.

What I Needed To Read In 2020!!

I knew bits and pieces of our history as told through the stories of men. This project was thoughtfully researched and presented in a way that just made sense. Many familiar names but it is the names of those not so popular or even unnamed whose stories I find the most captivating.
I enjoyed visualizing my sisters through each period and truly seeing these women in my own life as I enjoy the liberties of their sacrifice.
2020 has been rough but in perspective, atrocities have been heaped on black women for centuries. The world is just now waking up to what we have known since the first shackle was placed on our delicate but strong wrist.

This is ME

After reading/listening to this history of African-American Women in the United States of America, I understand my grandparents, parents, siblings, and myself. This comprehensive history of those unknown and known will become the foundation for my education of my husband, our children, grandchildren, and other young people. I know now that the strength I used to serve in the military for over 3 decades, is innate, inherited, and meant to inspire generations of others. Thanks to the authors and MOST IMPORTANTLY thank you to the women whose spirit/essence I inherited, lives within all of us

I learned a lot.

The narrator was great and pleasant to listen to. The book was very interesting and informative.

Acknowledging the Sisterhood

This is a book for everyone to read and discuss. Berry and Gross have presented an overview of Black Women in the United States that represents an historical interstate populated by numerous off ramps of events, issues, and people that is begging the listener to take after listening to the book. The listener is introduced to the many faces of Black womenhood be it economic, class, gender identity, color, education, etc.