READS Cultural highlights

The moment the world heard Aretha Franklin’s demand for a little r-e-s-p-e-c-t in 1967, coinciding with the women’s liberation movement in America, she became an icon. And now her status is being celebrated alongside 49 other contemporary heroines in a stylish new book, illustrated by La-based artist Monica Ahanonu. From writers and actors to musicians and activists, Icons features graphic, expressive portraits of some of our favourite women from recent history and the present day, including Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Dolly Parton and JK Rowling. With accompanying words from Micaela Heekin, it pays a whole lot of respect to change-makers, ground-breakers and womanhood as a whole. Aretha would be proud.

Icons: 50 Heroines Who Shaped Contemporary Culture (Chronicle Chroma) illustrated by Monica Ahanonu and written by Micaela Heekin is out now