I am thrilled to announce my latest book, A Special A Special Sisterhood: 100 Fascinating Women From History Who Never Had Children!

Unlike my past books, this one is designed for a young adult audience (and up) and has illustrations by a talented illustrator, Nataliia Tonyeva, who is from Ukraine.

About 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.

But as we know, not all women become mothers. What is not as known? 

Going back in history to today, there are more women than you might think who have lived lives that don’t include motherhood. Countless in fact. We 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, and amazing ones at that, their lives have just unfolded such that becoming mothers has not been a part of it.

Designed 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!

Available in paperback and e-book on Amazon and Itunes Books

Check out these reviews!

“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

“Sometimes books come along that make one think: Why haven’t we seen this before? It’s about time! Laura Carroll’s A Special Sisterhood forYA readers and up is fresh, timely, and fascinating. Her work makes me proud to join that long conga line of fabulous and determined women who know exactly what they want out of their lives—most especially when those lives don’t contain children.”
Dr. Davinia Thornley, Editor, Childfree across the Disciplines: Academic and Activist Perspectives on Not Choosing Children

“In A Special Sisterhood: 100 Fascinating Women From History Who Never Had Children, Laura Carroll continues to exude her unwavering commitment to the recognition and celebration of the diverse sisterhood of women without children, as a leading voice for our community and beyond. Throughout this book, the 100 diverse and expertly curated profiles gave me a heightened sense of visibility and belonging. I experienced resonance at the inclusion women with whom I was familiar, and awe in the discovery of those I had not known. A true gift to the community of women without children, past and present, A Special Sisterhood is a must read for all generations, and is an invaluable opportunity for young readers to learn from and relate to this otherwise missing historical perspective.”
Christine J. Erickson, founder, New Legacy Institute, dedicated to social justice for people without children

“A Special Sisterhood provides a biography of 100 women who do not have children. Throughout history in the world, these women have various demographic and cultural identities, life experiences, have endured a great deal, and have contributed a great deal. As an example of capturing women of different races, ethnicities, cultures, and nations, it is wonderful to read a celebration of African/black women whose works have lasting impacts on African/black justice and human justice. Rather than divide these women based on ‘childfree’ or ‘childless by circumstance,’ Laura Carroll and Nataliia Tonyeva artistically unite women and exemplify a span of womanhood as part of the span of families, collectives, cultures, societies, and the world.”
Kimya Nuru Dennis, Ph.D., childfree sociologist and researcher

“A Special Sisterhood is accessible reading for all ages and provides compelling snapshots of the lives and achievements of some incredible women throughout history. It’s an inspirational reminder of the potential within all of us, when we break free of expectations and oppressive ideas. It is well written, beautifully illustrated and offers just the right amount of information on its featured women to make it an easy and engaging read.” ~Elizabeth Joy, Host, Other Than Motherhood Podcast