From an Emmy-Winning AIDS Activist to Librarians Fighting Book Bans: PEOPLE's 2023 Women Changing the World

When Carolyn Foote, 63, and Becky Calzada, 57, and saw Texas lawmakers threaten to ban books pertaining to race, racism and LGBTQ+ themes, the pair formed FReadom Fighters to rally an army of booklovers on social media and in their communities. "Books shouldn't be contraband," says Foote, a retired librarian. "We've lost our way in this contentious environment. We forgot what's at the core of libraries: getting kids excited about reading."

Adds Calzada, a library coordinator for an Austin-area school district: "Sometimes you need a book to bring reassurance and to validate."

The group's Twitter account and website reach thousands, offering support for embattled colleagues and guides for action campaigns. And although it can sometimes feel like a losing battle — last year more than 1,600 titles were banned in schools across the country, with Texas leading the nation — their fight continues. "I hope we inspire others to get involved," says Foote. "We need to keep speaking up."