• Age: 9 to 13
• Grade: 6 to 8
• Reading age: 9 to 12

This collection of biographies profiles ten creative business leaders who have proven that entrepreneurial women can not only succeed in business, they can also bring about positive change. Against all odds, African-American Madam C.J. Walker, born in 1867, became a self-made millionaire who promoted civil rights and opposed racism. Designer Dorothy Shaver, The Body Shop founder, Dame Anita Roddick, and high-finance expert Naina Lal Kidwai built businesses based on integrity, responsibility and respect. Among the growing number of women entrepreneurs making a name for themselves are Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg, innovative mobility products developer Sue Chen, Tanzanian aviation founder Susan Mashibe, Aboriginal media promoter Nicole Robertson, construction company president Kelsey Ramsden, and water-tech CEO Jodi Glover.

Jill Bryant is a Canadian writer who specializes in children's non-fiction. Born in Toronto, Jill grew up in Elora and Eden Mills, Ontario. She is the author of Amazing Women Athletes, Dazzling Women Designers, Phenomenal Female Entrepreneurs, The Wilderness Cookbook, and others. Jill also works as a freelance editor for many educational publishers. Swimming, canoeing, cross-country skiing, and travelling are her favourite recreational activities. Jill has lived in Japan, the U.S., England, and Germany. She now makes her home in historic Kingston, Ontario with her husband and their two teenage daughters.

Jill Bryant's profile page

• Commended, Bank Street College's "Best Children's Books of the Year" (Biography category)

Every new “Women’s Hall of Fame” title brings with it the thrill of discovering a new group of women around the world who have excelled in a particular vocation. … With its “The Women’s Hall of Fame Series”, Second Story Press seeks to cultivate in young readers a deeper awareness of and appreciation for women leaders. School and public libraries should acquire the affordable series as part of their collections as a way to perpetuate positive representations.


CM Magazine

This book illustrates that talented women can be successful in a world where men have previously led the way. These women serve as models and inspire others. This is an excel­lent resource for ages 10-15 and would be of particular interest to girls looking for success­ful and interesting role models.

Jewish Book World

There is a lot packed in, yet Bryant's writing style makes the text easy to read and understand.

Resource Links

The book shows that these leaders may be ambitious, independent risk-takers, but that doesn’t preclude them from being kind and compassionate. … Bryant’s clear, coherent, and conversational style will facilitate readers’ comprehension, just as it did in Amazing Women Athletes and Dazzling Women Designers.

CM Magazine

Phenomenal Female Entrepreneurs is a very interesting look at the lives of female entrepreneurs, their motivations for pursuing their business passions, and the obstacles they encountered and ultimately overcame. The women examined in this book are groundbreaking, inspirational and have paved the way for other women in business.

The Deakin Review of Children's Literature