Why the Daughters of Kobani Should Be on Every Feminist’s Reading List (And Yours Too)

How a Band of Women Changed the Course of War—and History

The Daughters of Kobani is not just another tale of war and politics. It is a clarion call for anyone who believes in the power of women to change the world, even when the odds are stacked against them. Gayle Tzemach Lemmon’s narrative pulls us into the heart of Syria, where the YPJ—an all-female Kurdish militia—took up arms not only to defeat ISIS but to rewrite the rules of society itself. The book’s pages are filled with stories of ordinary women who became extraordinary leaders, strategists, and symbols of hope.

Lemmon’s reporting shines a spotlight on the ideological roots that fueled this revolution. Inspired by the writings of Abdullah Ocalan, the YPJ believed that true freedom could only be achieved through the liberation of women. This belief was not just theoretical—it was lived every day in the choices these women made, from the battlefield to the council chambers. The book dives deep into the personal transformations of its protagonists: daughters who became commanders, teachers who became snipers, and mothers who became lawmakers.

What sets The Daughters of Kobani apart is its refusal to reduce these women to mere victims or martyrs. Instead, Lemmon presents them as agents of their own destiny, navigating the complexities of war, family, and tradition with grit and grace. The book also explores the uneasy alliances and betrayals that marked the international response to the Syrian conflict, particularly the pragmatic partnership between the YPJ and the United States. These alliances were fraught with tension, as geopolitical interests often clashed with the ideals of the revolutionaries.

But perhaps the most powerful aspect of the book is its portrayal of community. The YPJ’s victories were not just military—they sparked a social revolution that changed the lives of women and girls across the region. Schools were opened, laws were rewritten, and a new generation grew up seeing women as leaders and protectors. The legacy of these changes, as Lemmon shows, is both fragile and enduring, threatened by shifting political winds but kept alive by the courage of those who fought for them.

For feminists, activists, and anyone seeking inspiration, The Daughters of Kobani is a must-read. It reminds us that real change is possible—even in the darkest times—when people dare to imagine a different future and fight to make it real. In a world hungry for new role models, the women of Kobani stand as beacons of hope, resilience, and the unbreakable power of solidarity. 1 2 3