A Special Sisterhood

Women form sisterhood bonds in many special ways—as sisters, friends, or linked by a common interest, passion, or life experience. As women, one of the biggest is motherhood.

Going back in history to today, there are more women than you might think who have lived lives that do not include motherhood. There are countless women around the world who make up a sisterhood that is bonded by not doing something women are historically supposed to do. For some, it is by choice, others not. And for many, many women, their lives have just unfolded such that becoming mothers has not been a part of it.

For young adults and up, A Special Sisterhood: 100 Fascinating Women From History Who Never Had Children gives engaging snapshots and illustrations of women in this sisterhood from the around the world going as far back as 350 AD!

Rather than focus on why they did not have children, A Special Sisterhood focuses on the lives they lived. From Women Warriors, High Powered Political Leaders, to Social Changers, Medical Pioneers and more, their stories will inspire you to learn more about them, and find even more women who are alive today carrying on this sisterhood connection.

To young women (and men) out there, A Special Sisterhood gives you a taste of the unlimited and exciting ways life has been fully and remarkably lived by an ever-growing collective of women.

In addition to enjoying themselves, A Special Sisterhood is a fun educational gift for adults to give to the young adults in their lives as examples of the many ways to lead a life that is uniquely one’s own!


"Women who aren't mothers remind us that there's more than one way to have a life well-lived. The women in A Special Sisterhood show us 100 different ways! Whether by choice, circumstance or some combination thereof, these amazing women took different paths than the ones society laid out for them. How delightful to see them all converging here. I wish I could have met each and every one, but this book is the next best thing."
Meghan Daum, editor of Selfish, Shallow and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers On The Decision Not To Have Kids


"What I loved more than anything about A Special Sisterhood is I had no idea. I made a feature documentary about the childfree decision yet I didn't know about the empress of Ethiopia or Hawaii, or nearer to home, the first woman to become a British Cabinet Minister. Laura has given us a huge breadth of women who didn't have children who existed throughout the ages and in so many walks of life. Thank you, Laura, for showing us these examples in such an accessible and fun way. I'm sure it will help many people know they're not alone and encourage them on their journey."
Maxine Trump (no relation), Director of the documentary film, To Kid Or Not to Kid


"A Special Sisterhood is a needed book. It's filled with stories of women who are brave and assertive and focused on living full lives. These are 100 women role models for young adults and adults to read about. In my line of work, helping women decide to live childfree or become parents, they often feel they don't have enough role models of women who did not become mothers no matter the reason. This book which is beautifully presented gives you a peek inside the lives of many women living rich lives who are not mothers."


"This book is a gift to girls and boys, to women and men. It helps normalize that lives can be rich even if one does not become a mother or parent."
Ann Davidman, co-author of Motherhood Is It For Me? Your Step-by-Step Guide to Clarity