Through 34 essays, biologists and other scientists mainly from the US relate the stories of female microbiologists, both historical figures and active microbiologists, who had a positive impact on the field through their research, approaches to microbiology, or their actions as role models and mentors. They describe the different paths women microbiologists have taken to achieve professional recognition, their motivations as scientists, and how their lives have inspired others. They include Bonnie L. Bassler, Antje Boetius, Sallie "Penny" Chisholm, Margaret Dayhoff, Johanna Db̲ereiner, Diana Downs, Nicole Dubilier, Katrina J. Edwards, Alice Catherine Evans, Mary K. Firestone, Lady Amalia Fleming, Katrina T. Forest, Elodie Ghedin, Jane Gibson, Millicent C. Goldschmidt, Susan Gottesman, Carlyn Halde, Jo Handelsman, Caroline Harwood, Marian Johnson-Thompson, Carol D. Litchfield, Ruth E. Moore, Nancy A. Moran, Flora Patterson, Felicitas Pfeifer, Beatrix Potter, Abigail Salyers, Christa Schleper, Marjory Stephenson, Michele Swanson, Patricia Ann Webb, Donna M. Wolk, and Esther Miriam Zimmer Lederberg. Annotation 2018 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)