A Fourth of July Reading List for Feminists: Our Favorite Books, Essays and Multimedia Projects for America at 250

We’ve made it to July—another eighth of the Trump administration’s days behind us, halfway through a hell of a long year, and the eve of a long weekend to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

By Roxanne Szal July 2, 2026 1 min read

President Donald Trump’s apparent glee that women were absent from his recent White House UFC Fight was just the shot of inspiration I needed to collect and curate some of the best feminist takes on democracy to carry us through the national holiday.

The post A Fourth of July Reading List for Feminists: Our Favorite Books, Essays and Multimedia Projects for America at 250 appeared first on Ms. Magazine.

Why this matters

As the US marks its 250th anniversary, feminist perspectives on democracy are crucial in highlighting the ongoing struggle for gender equity. The curated reading list provides a timely reminder of the importance of women's voices and experiences in shaping the nation's history and future. The selection of books, essays, and multimedia projects offers a diverse range of viewpoints and analyses, from women's history to contemporary feminist thought. By engaging with these works, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the complex intersections between gender, power, and democracy. This is particularly relevant in the current US landscape, where reproductive rights and access to healthcare are increasingly under threat. As individuals celebrate the nation's founding, they can also reflect on the ways in which feminist ideals and values can inform and shape a more equitable society, one that truly represents the experiences and aspirations of all its citizens.

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Every story on Her Choice is curated, fact-checked against the original publisher's reporting, and contextualized for our readers. We do not republish full articles — we link back to the source, summarize the key facts under fair use, and add the local or topical relevance that our audience needs. Our editorial standards and corrections policy are public: see herchoice.org/editorial-standards.

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Her Choice is published by Nexcom Media as part of the Nexcom Media Network. We launched in 2024 and have grown to cover reproductive rights, women's healthcare, abortion access, contraception. Our reporting is supported by display advertising, sponsorships, and reader donations — never by editorial pay-to-play. Read our ownership disclosures at herchoice.org/ownership.

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