Women Who Challenge…With Humor

March 8th is International Women’s Day. The theme is Choose to Challenge. Here you can read about a selection of women who challenge…with humor.

Lindy West’s reflections on learning to stand up for herself and assert her opinions will have readers cheering. Shrill: Notes From a Loud Woman is her tale of self discovery and coming into her own voice. Check out the Netflix TV series by the same name starring SNL’s Aidy Bryant.

Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets and Advice for Living Your Best Life is Ali Wong’s manifesto to her toddler daughters. If you like this, check out her comedy specials Ali Wong: Baby Cobra and Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife available on Netflix.

Mindy Kaling is known for being a powerhouse in the entertainment industry. After getting her start on The Office, she reached super fame with her TV series The Mindy Project available on Hulu. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and Other Concerns) is her first memoir and chronicles her reflections on growing up as an Indian-American. Why Not Me? is the continuation.

Issa Rae’s YouTube series Awkward Black Girl garnered her attention and fame. Her memoir The Misadventures of an Awkward Black Girl is just as enlightening, as it chronicles her commentary on society from the perspective of an introvert. Her Netflix series Insecure is also worth a look.

Tiffany Haddish is known for pushing the envelope. The Last Black Unicorn is her story about growing up poor in South Central Los Angeles and how her roots made her humble, resilient, and expert at using humor to diffuse life’s difficulties. Her Netflix series Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready is her effort to pay it forward by giving some of her favorite comedians a chance at the big stage.

Tina Fey will go down in history for her comedic talents on Saturday Night Live. Her biography Bossypants is her hilarious take on her rise to the top. If you like her, you will love 30 Rock, one of the comedy series she created and starred in (available on Amazon Prime Video).

Amy Poehler’s is known for her classic portrayal of Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation (available on Amazon Prime Video). Her audiobook is full of funny reflections on love, life and comedy, and living life as a plucky Hollywood parent.