A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf is one of those essays that feels both timeless and brave. Woolf dives into what it means to be a woman with talent, yet constantly up against the odds of society’s expectations.

I admire her courage in highlighting the importance of women having their own space—both literally and figuratively—to create great art.

Her thought experiment, asking us to imagine what might have happened if Shakespeare had an equally talented sister, is especially powerful. It forces you to rethink the role of women in history and how much potential has been lost.

This essay is one I return to often because it’s both challenging and inspiring, showing how much more could be accomplished if everyone had the freedom to pursue their talents.