Available as Hardback, eBook
13 August 2026
Award-winning broadcaster and writer Gemma Cairney explores the collective power and wisdom to be found in the lives of twelve remarkable women
For centuries, travellers would stare up at the stars to guide them. Constellations of shining lights would offer a path forward or a way through, delivering courage and hope on long, difficult voyages. Throughout her life, Gemma Cairney has pieced together her own constellation, one which is made up of inspirational women – artists, activists, musicians, writers, mathematicians, mystics – who guide her, fill her creative cup and provide a sense of solace and selfhood.
In The Immortal Sisterhood Gemma shares the twelve women who make up her spiritual sorority. From Grace Jones and Mary Wollstonecraft to Pharaoh Hatshepsut and Wang Zhenyi, these women span centuries and continents, they have experienced racism, sexism, illness, war, and they all offer something different to help Gemma navigate through life. In this genre-bending mix of biography, memoir, self-help, poetry and philosophy, Gemma seeks to introduce readers to her immortal sisterhood, to invite us to take strength from their stories and to challenge us to create our own. Who are your guiding stars?
“Gemma is an absolute dynamo! Long may she continue to use her voice to such a powerful effect”
Annie Lennox
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”The Immortal Sisterhood captures how the stories of Black women and those with politically-feminised bodies are threaded together all around the world. As the USA struggles with what it considers to be history and what stories deserve to be told and retold, The Immortal Sisterhood is an offering to shine light and dance with the ancestors, such as Audre Lorde, who came before us and the elders who continue to guide us such as Grace Jones.”
Simone Seales
Gemma Cairney
Gemma Cairney is an award-winning broadcaster and writer, her career at the BBC having spanned over a decade. Her first book Open (Macmillan, 2017) was a young adult guide to life and saw her tour across the UK. She is a regular contributor to audio and written anthologies, has judged the Wellcome Prize and hosted the Booker shortlist readings as well as many other literary talks. The Immortal Sisterhood is her first book for adults.
@gemagain | @gemcairn