Blair Imani

Harvard Book Store welcomes acclaimed writer and activist BLAIR IMANI—founder and executive director of Equality for HER—for a discussion of her debut book, Modern HERstory: Stories of Women and Nonbinary People Rewriting History. 

About Modern HERstory

With a radical and inclusive approach to history, Modern HERstory profiles and celebrates seventy women and nonbinary champions of progressive social change in a bold, colorful, illustrated format for all ages. Despite making huge contributions to the liberation movements of the last century and today, all of these trailblazers come from backgrounds and communities that are traditionally overlooked and under-celebrated: not just women, but people of color, queer people, trans people, disabled people, young people, and people of faith. Authored by rising star activist Blair Imani, Modern HERstory tells the important stories of the leaders and movements that are changing the world right here and right now—and will inspire you to do the same.

Praise

"With Modern HERstory, Blair Imani provides readers with crucial insight to understanding modern social justice movements in a way that is both vital and accessible. By shining a light on contemporary women and nonbinary people who are making history in real time, some lesser known than others, Imani reminds readers that heroes can emerge from anywhere, that activism takes many shapes and forms, and that history is not simply a matter of the past but something occurring in real time and in powerfully unexpected ways. The people presented here do not represent a new type of activism; rather, they represent people who've long been present in freedom movements and are too often overlooked." —Bree Newsome, artist and activist

“Blair Imani has given us an encyclopedia not just of the often overlooked in history, but also of the people who are changing the direction of our country today—this is who to follow, watch, celebrate, and emulate. We need these role models and fighters—and this book!” —Dawn Laguens, executive vice president and chief brand officer of Planned Parenthood Federation of America

"Modern HERstory is a necessary part of any budding revolutionary’s library. Blair Imani has compiled over 70 stories of self-actualization from figures across a wide array of faith traditions, cultural origins, and social strata. It’s a major and inspiring feat that is necessary for our times. Everyone should feel represented, and Imani’s work elevates and preserves the history of women and femmes in a way that is empowering for diverse women/femmes everywhere. As a grassroots community organizer, I’m using this book as a resource so that I am grounded in all the ways women/femmes have fought for our collective liberation. This is a clear reminder of the power that all women/femmes have, and of the magical ways in which, despite the forms of violence we face, we exist, resist and create together.” —Rana Abdelhamid, CEO and founder of MALIKAH, gender justice organizer