Afterhours book club: February, 2026

Our Black History Month pick is The First Ladies by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray.

The novel is a tale of two different yet equally formidable, passionate, and committed women, and the foundation for the modern civil rights movement.

The daughter of formerly enslaved parents, Mary McLeod Bethune refuses to back down as white supremacists attempt to thwart her work. She marches on as an activist and an educator, and as her reputation grows, she becomes a celebrity, revered by titans of business and recognized by U.S. Presidents. Eleanor Roosevelt herself is awestruck and eager to make her acquaintance. Initially drawn together by their shared belief in women’s rights and the power of education, Mary and Eleanor become fast friends, confiding their secrets, hopes and dreams—and holding each other’s hands through personal and professional strife.