Books published by publisher The Feminist Press at CUNY

"Through Hurston, the soul of the black South gained one of its most articulate interpreters." —New York TimesDuring her lifetime, Zora Neale Hurston was praised for her writing but condemned for her independence and audacity. Her work fell into obscurity until the 1970s, when Alice Walker rediscovered Hurston's unmarked grave and anthologized her writing in this groundbreaking collection for the Feminist Press. I Love Myself When I Am Laughing... And Then Again When I Am Looking Mean and Impressive established Hurston as an intellectual leader for future generations of black writers A testament to the power and breadth of Hurston's oeuvre, this edition—newly reissued for the Feminist Press's fiftieth anniversary—features a new preface by Walker.

A vivid and bittersweet classic coming-of-age tale, set in immigrant Brooklyn. "Remarkable for its courage, its color, and its natural control." —The New Yorker "An unforgettable novel written with pride and anger, with rebellion and tears." —New York Herald Tribune Set in Brooklyn during the Great Depression and World War II, Brown Girl, Brownstones chronicles the efforts of Barbadian immigrants to surmount poverty and racism and to make their new country home. Selina Boyce is torn between the opposing aspirations of her parents: her hardworking, ambitious mother longs to buy a brownstone row house while her easygoing father prefers to dream of effortless success and his native island’s lushness. Featuring a new foreword by Edwidge Danticat, this coming-of-age tale grapples with identity, sexuality, and changing values in a new country, as a young woman must reconcile tradition with potential and change.

"Puts Chandler to shame . . . Hughes is the master we keep turning to."—Sara Paretsky, author of the V. I. Warshawski novels"A superb novel by one of crime fiction's finest writers of psychological suspense. . . . What a pleasure it is to see this tale in print once again!"—Marcia Miller, author of the Sharon McCone novels"This lady is the queen of noir, and In a Lonely Place is her crown."—Laurie R. King, author of the Mary Russell novelsPostwar Los Angeles is a lonely place where the American Dream is showing its seamy underside—and a stranger is preying on young women. The suggestively names Dix Steele, a cynical vet with a chip on his shoulder about the opposite sex, is the LAPD's top suspect. Dix knows enough to watch his step, especially since his best friend is on the force, but when he meets the luscious Laurel Gray—a femme fatale with brains—something begins to crack. The basis for extraordinary performances by Humphrey Bogart and Gloria Grahame in the 1950 film version of the book, In a Lonely Place tightens the suspence with taut, hard-boiled prose and stunningly undoes the convential noir plot.Femmes Fatales restores to print the best of women’s writing in the classic pulp genres of the mid-20th century. From mystery to hard-boiled noir to taboo lesbian romance, these rediscovered queens of pulp offer subversive perspectives on a turbulent era. Enjoy the series: Bedelia; The Blackbirder; Bunny Lake Is Missing; By Cecile; The G-String Murders; The Girls in 3-B; In a Lonely Place; Laura; Mother Finds a Body; Now, Voyager; Skyscraper; Stranger on Lesbos; Women's Barracks.

In this second volume of reissued classic folktales, a Punjabi woman outwits seven ruthless thieves, an Incan girl restores harmony to the empire, and a mischievous Norwegian lass thwarts her entitled landowner. Spanning several centuries and continents, the stories in Kamala recall how it's the dazzling courage, cleverness, and power of women that hold our world together.Ethel Johnston Phelps (1914-1984) held a master's degree in Medieval Literature, co-edited a Ricardian journal, and published several articles on fifteenth-century subjects. She compiled two anthologies of feminist folk tales from around the world, Tatterhood and The Maid of the North.

Now there is a series designed especially to introduce young people to women whose heroic lives have helped to shape our world. Informative, inspiring, and engaging, the series tells of extraordinary achievements women have made throughout the world and introduces younger readers to the realities of other countries and cultures. Grades 6 and up. This unique biography series is designed to introduce young readers to the achievements of women around the world. The books tell the dramatic life stories of courageous women who have overcome adversity and discrimination to make extraordinary contributions to the global community. Each book contains contextual information about the geography, politics, and culture of its subject's homeland and introduces, on an accessible level, concepts such as the global economy, environmental preservation, and human rights. By providing role models, Women Changing the World serves as a source of inspiration for future world changers.Titles in the Series include:Aung San Suu KyiStanding Up for Democracy in BurmaPB $9.95, 1-55861-197-5HC x 19.95, 1-55861-196-7Ela BhattUniting Women in IndiaPB $9.95, 1-55861-228-9HC x $19.95, 1-55861-229-7Mairead Corrigan and Betty WilliamsMaking Peace in Northern IrelandPB $9.95, 1-55861-201-7HC x $19.95, 1-55861-200-9Mamphela RampheleChallenging Apartheid in South AfricaPB $9.95, 1-55861-226-2HC x $19.95, 1-55861-227-0Rigoberta MenchuDefending Human Rights in GuatemalaPB $9.95, 1-55861-199-1HC x $19.95, 1-55861-198-3

A small patch of dry Asian land called the Tiny Kingdom serves as the home for a community of poor farmers and fisherfolk. The land, as poor as its people, holds no gold, silver, or other riches. For this reason, no country has ever waged war against the Tiny Kingdom, and the people have lived in peace for 100 years.But when Princess Mat Mat, ruler of the Tiny Kingdom, meets with her advisers to plan a great peace celebration, they bring bad news. A large fleet of warships is sailing toward them and will attack their people in just two days.With no army, no forts, and no arsenal, how can the princess defend her country? Her wisdom testifies that the most heroic action does not win wars, but prevents them. Princess Mat Mat devises a plan that includes, as an unexpected ally, the moon.

The fourth volume in this beautifully illustrated anthology features traditional tales of heroic women from Russia to South Africa and beyond.Long before Suzanne Collins created Katniss Everdeen and Octavia Butler wrote Parable of the Sower, there were many traditional folktales full of adventure, intrigue, and intrepid female characters. Feminist Folktales from Around the World collects these forgotten classics and presents them with original artwork by designer and illustrator Suki Boynton.Volume four in the series, The Hunter Maiden features an introduction by Renee Watson, the New York Times bestselling author of Piecing Me Together. In these eleven adventures, a diverse cast of female protagonists lend their daring and determination to everything from battling evil wizards in Russia to outsmarting tricky demons in South Africa. In the title story, a young member of the Zuni Native American tribe proves her resourcefulness as she confronts cultural double standards and malicious winter spirits.

The feminist folktales collected in Sea Girl upend any notion that women are doomed to be sentimental, meek, or submissive. In these classic tales, heroines unflinchingly wade monstrous rivers, escape ogres' nests, and outsmart desperate sharks and hungry tigers. And while defending their families and villages, they always determine their own fate.Ethel Johnston Phelps (1914-1984) held a master's degree in medieval literature, coedited a Ricardian journal, and published several articles on fifteenth-century subjects. She compiled two anthologies of feminist folktales from around the world, Tatterhood and The Maid of the North.

At every stage of education, sexual harassment is common, and often considered a rite of passage for young people. It’s not unusual for a girl to hear “Hey, Shorty!” on a daily basis, as she walks down the hall or comes into the school yard, followed by a sexual innuendo, insult, come-on, or assault. But when teenagers are asked whether they experience this in their own lives, most of them say it’s not happening.Girls for Gender Equity, a nonprofit organization based in New York City, has developed a model for teens to teach one another about sexual harassment. How do you define it? How does it affect your self-esteem? What do you do in response? Why is it so normalized in schools, and how can we as a society begin to address these causes? Geared toward students, parents, teachers, policy makers, and activists, this book is an excellent model for building awareness and creating change in any community.

What's in a name? Poor Josephina thinks there's a lot. She hates her old-fashioned, unusual name. Why couldn't she have a pretty name like "Sarah" or "Amy"?Josephina is in a horrible mood until her grandma tells her the story of her namesake, Great-Aunt Josephina. Great-Aunt Josephina was an adventurer, explorer, and artist who, unlike Josephina's grandmother, was not afraid of snakes and spiders. One day Great-Aunt Josephina followed her heart and went to explore the Great Jungle, leaving behind a gold locket. Many years later, Josephina's grandmother remembers the locket and with it finds the courage to move to the United States and find her own adventure.Diane Engel captures the magic of finding connections with role models from the past and the importance of communicating family heritage to younger generations. Engel's engaging watercolors give life to the curious, mischievous, and sometimes tempestuous Josephina as well as to her adventurous namesake.

"This book is a resounding affirmation of young female life, in all its multiplicity." — Tavi Gevinson, editor of Rookie"Girls Write Now is doing deeply important work– young women, now more than ever, must claim their own stories." — Emma Cline, author of The Girls"Fresh, energetic, essential — this vibrant anthology celebrates the stories of young women in a way that feels more vital now than ever. Here are the voices of our future." — Deborah Landau, author of The Uses of the BodyFrom one of top after-school programs in the nation, Girls Write Now, comes the next installment in the organization's award-winning anthology series: a literary celebration that showcases the girls and their mentors' best work. Rise Speak Change explores our evolving creative narrative, celebrating the importance of igniting change and starting anew as writers, thinkers, women, and media makers.Distinguished three times by the White House as one of the nation's best after-school arts and cultural organizations, and honored by Newsweek in an article on after-school programs that make a difference, Girls Write Now works to empower underserved teen girls in New York City by pairing them with professional women writers who serve as their personal mentors. With an introduction by Lisa Lucas, Executive Director of the National Book Foundation, Rise Speak Change showcases the best poetry, prose, and essays from the mentees and mentors of Girls Write Now on the theme of “Rise Speak Change,” and includes a bonus section of writing exercises and prompts for individuals and groups. Powerful and inspiring, Rise Speak Change showcases the brave new voices that are changing the world of literature, one girl at a time.