Over the years, history has seen countless incredible women.

They are the kind of

inspirational, powerful heroes, who shook up the world as we know it. From women's
rights activists and pioneers of racial equality to inventors, scientists, and
world leaders, there are plenty of women throughout history who have left an
impressive mark on society. Even though we're still often faced with blatant
discrimination on the basis of sex, real progress has been made. The marvellous
achievements of the women discussed here are testament to that.
Many women writers have made remarkable contributions to the area of literature.
Jane Austen pioneered the path for women writers. In her teenage years during the
early 1810s, she started writing her mont famous novels, like Pride and Prejudice
and Sense and Sensibility. She didn't even get credit for her novels until after
her death when her brother Henry publicly announced she was the author. Even today,
the themes of her works and literary devices are of great relevance. Meanwhile,
Nellie Bly basically set the standard for investigative journalism. At a time when
women writers were confined to a restrictive range of topics they could write
about, Bly tackled serious topics like mental health, poverty, and corruption in
politics. She's most famous for going undercover at the mental asylum on Roosevelt
Island. Her expose to the horrific conditions there brought about much needed
changes to patient care. She also set the world record for circumnavigating the
world. She completed the important literary feat in just 72 days, Another
incredibly important, Figure, Anne Frank was a young Jewish girl who died in a
concentration camp in 1945. Her father, Otto Frank, escaped and published his
daughter's diaries in 1947, The important literary contributions she made through
chronicling her experiences during the Holocaust has helped historians, and readers
alike, in better understanding the time. Writer and professor Toni Morrison shot
into the national spotlight after the release of her first novel The Bluest Eye in
1970. From then on, Morrison was committed to telling stories about Black lives
through poetic and intimate prose, winning the National Book of Critics Circle
Award in 1977 for Song of Solomon and the Pulitzer Prize for Beloved in 1988. After
the third novel in the Beloved trilogy was published, she became the first Black
woman to win the 1993 Nobel Prize in Literature.
There are several women whose work has contributed greatly in advancing the fields
of science, mathematics, and astronomy. Ada Lovelace's genius was years before her
time. As an English mathematician, she is credited with being the world's first
computer programmer. Her noten on Babbage's Analytical Engine are known as the
first description for computer software and her efforts. Nowadays, the second
Tuesday in October is known as Ada Lovelace Day and celebrates women in STEM.
Florence Nightingale, a.k.a. Lady with the Lamp, was a British nurse who is
credited as the founder of modern-day nursing. During the Crimean War, she tended
to the wounded for hours on end, after during the night, which earned her her
nickname. In 1860, she opened the first science-based nursing school in London.
Marie Curie did not leave science to the men. Instead, the Polish scientist's work
led to the discovery of two new elements, polonium and radium, and championed the
use of radiation in medicine. She became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in
1903, then she won again in 1911 in Chemistry. Another personality, Katherine G.
Johnson, a mathematician, was one of the brains behind the complex calculations
that helped us fly into space. In 1969, she helped to successfully send the first
man to the moon. Her work is highlighted in the film Hidden Figures, about the
pioneering African American women at NASA. Sally Ride became the first American
woman to travel to space on the shuttle Challenger in 1983. The astrophysicist and
Stanford-grad beat out at least 1,000 other applicants for a spot in the NASA
astronaut program. Mae Jemison was the first African American woman to be accepted
into NASA�s astronaut program. She went on to become the first African American
woman to fly into space in 1992 aboard the Endeavour.
Margaret Sanger, a feminist and women's rights activist, coined the term "birth
control". She wrote pamphlets and opened a women's health clinic decades before her
biggest achievement, getting the Food and Drug Administration to approve the first
oral contraceptive, Enovid, in 1960, six years before her death. In 1928, Amelia
Earhart was the first female pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. She was also
the 16th woman to be issued a pilot's license. She mysteriously disappeared during
a flight in 1937, and was pronounced legally dead two years later. Hollywood has
historically been a tough industry for actors of color, but Anna May Wong was able
to find box-office success as a Chinese-American actress in the 1930s. Her decades-
long career survived the transition from black-and-white silent films to talkies
and technicolor. In 2022, she became the first Asian American to be featured on
U.S. currency. In 1934, Grace Hopper earned her Ph.D. in mathematics, becoming one
of the very few women to hold such a degree. She went on to help "develop a
compiler that was a precursor to the widely used COBOL language" for computers, and
she became a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy.
A force in the art world, Frida Kahlo became known in Mexico and around the world
for creating thought-provoking works grounded in magical realism. Her 1938 self-
portrait, titled "The Frame", was the first work by a 20th-century Mexican artist
to ever be featured in the Louvre. The beloved sitcom I Love Lucy made its
television debut in 1951. Lucille Ball became known as one of America�s top
comedians for her iconic role on the show, which had storylines about marital
issues and women in the workforce. The "Golden Age" actress Hedy Lamarr was
credited for helping to co-invent a radio signaling device, a.k.a a "Secret
Communications System." The system changed radio frequencies to confuse and hinder
enemies during World War II, and it's a crucial part of how we communicate
wirelessly today.
In 1966, Indira Gandhi became the third prime minister of India, and is one of few
examples of women rising to power in the country. She continued in her role for
more than 20 years until she was assassinated in 1984. We can thank British
scientist Rosalind Franklin for much of what we know of DNA today. Using X-ray
diffraction methods, she discovered DNA's density, and more importantly, its
molecular structure. This gave way to James Watson and Francis Crick's discovery
that DNA is shaped in a double helix. Her discovery changed how scientists view
genetics and how genes are passed down in families. Betty Friedan is best known for
writing the book The Feminine Mystique, which encourages women to seek more
opportunities for themselves outside traditional home-based roles. She went on to
co-found and become president of the National Organization for Women. In 1968,
Shirley Chisholm made history when she became the first Black woman to be elected
into Congress. The Brooklyn-born activist and political leader later entered the
1975 Democratic presidential race as the first woman and the first Black American
to do so.
Maya Angelou was a poet, singer, and civil rights activist whose 1969 autobiography
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings made literary history as the first nonfiction
bestseller by an African American woman. During her life, she wrote over 36 books,
including several collections of poetry, and recited one of her poems at President
Bill Clinton's 1993 inaugural ceremony. Serena Williams might be the most famous
tennis player on earth, but she might not have gotten her start if not for the
persistence of Althea Gibson. In 1951, Gibson made her historic debut as the first
African American woman to play at Wimbledon. In 1981, O'Connor became the first
woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. O'Connor was nominated by President
Ronald Reagan, and the senate vote to appoint her was unanimous. She was a key
swing vote in upholding big cases, like Roe v. Wade. The famous actress named
Elizabeth Taylor started a foundation named Elizabeth Taylor HIV/AIDS Foundation in
1991 after her close friend, Rock Hudson, died from the disease. The foundation
lends support to those who are sick, and funds research for more advanced
treatments. Taylor was a pioneer at a time when many celebrities and most
politicians were not talking about the AIDS crisis. Benazir Bhutto became the first
woman prime minister of Pakistan in 1988. After a military coup overthrew her
father's government, she inherited leadership of the Pakistan People's Party . She
pushed for open elections, and won, just three months after giving birth.
Throughout the annals of history, there exists an abundant array of remarkable
women whose indomitable spirit, unwavering determination, and groundbreaking
contributions have left an indelible imprint on the fabric of society. From the
valiant endeavors of women's rights activists and trailblazers in the fight against
racial injustice to the innovative brilliance of inventors, the intellectual
prowess of scientists, and the resolute leadership of world figures, their
collective impact transcends generations. Despite the persistent challenges and
pervasive gender biases that persist, the remarkable strides toward equality and
recognition underscore the enduring power of their legacy. Indeed, the
extraordinary accomplishments of these women serve as a beacon of hope and
inspiration for generations to come, illuminating the path toward a more inclusive
and equitable world.
Over the years, history has seen countless incredible women. They are the kind of
inspirational, powerful heroes, who shook up the world as we know it. From women's
rights activists and pioneers of racial equality to inventors, scientists, and
world leaders, there are plenty of women throughout history who have left an
impressive mark on society. Even though we're still often faced with blatant
discrimination on the basis of sex, real progress has been made. The marvellous
achievements of the women discussed here are testament to that.
Many women writers have made remarkable contributions to the area of literature.
Jane Austen pioneered the path for women writers. In her teenage years during the
early 1810s, she started writing her mont famous novels, like Pride and Prejudice
and Sense and Sensibility. She didn't even get credit for her novels until after
her death when her brother Henry publicly announced she was the author. Even today,
the themes of her works and literary devices are of great relevance. Meanwhile,
Nellie Bly basically set the standard for investigative journalism. At a time when
women writers were confined to a restrictive range of topics they could write
about, Bly tackled serious topics like mental health, poverty, and corruption in
politics. She's most famous for going undercover at the mental asylum on Roosevelt
Island. Her expose to the horrific conditions there brought about much needed
changes to patient care. She also set the world record for circumnavigating the
world. She completed the important literary feat in just 72 days, Another
incredibly important, Figure, Anne Frank was a young Jewish girl who died in a
concentration camp in 1945. Her father, Otto Frank, escaped and published his
daughter's diaries in 1947, The important literary contributions she made through
chronicling her experiences during the Holocaust has helped historians, and readers
alike, in better understanding the time. Writer and professor Toni Morrison shot
into the national spotlight after the release of her first novel The Bluest Eye in
1970. From then on, Morrison was committed to telling stories about Black lives
through poetic and intimate prose, winning the National Book of Critics Circle
Award in 1977 for Song of Solomon and the Pulitzer Prize for Beloved in 1988. After
the third novel in the Beloved trilogy was published, she became the first Black
woman to win the 1993 Nobel Prize in Literature.
There are several women whose work has contributed greatly in advancing the fields
of science, mathematics, and astronomy. Ada Lovelace's genius was years before her
time. As an English mathematician, she is credited with being the world's first
computer programmer. Her noten on Babbage's Analytical Engine are known as the
first description for computer software and her efforts. Nowadays, the second
Tuesday in October is known as Ada Lovelace Day and celebrates women in STEM.
Florence Nightingale, a.k.a. Lady with the Lamp, was a British nurse who is
credited as the founder of modern-day nursing. During the Crimean War, she tended
to the wounded for hours on end, after during the night, which earned her her
nickname. In 1860, she opened the first science-based nursing school in London.
Marie Curie did not leave science to the men. Instead, the Polish scientist's work
led to the discovery of two new elements, polonium and radium, and championed the
use of radiation in medicine. She became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in
1903, then she won again in 1911 in Chemistry. Another personality, Katherine G.
Johnson, a mathematician, was one of the brains behind the complex calculations
that helped us fly into space. In 1969, she helped to successfully send the first
man to the moon. Her work is highlighted in the film Hidden Figures, about the
pioneering African American women at NASA. Sally Ride became the first American
woman to travel to space on the shuttle Challenger in 1983. The astrophysicist and
Stanford-grad beat out at least 1,000 other applicants for a spot in the NASA
astronaut program. Mae Jemison was the first African American woman to be accepted
into NASA�s astronaut program. She went on to become the first African American
woman to fly into space in 1992 aboard the Endeavour.
Margaret Sanger, a feminist and women's rights activist, coined the term "birth
control". She wrote pamphlets and opened a women's health clinic decades before her
biggest achievement, getting the Food and Drug Administration to approve the first
oral contraceptive, Enovid, in 1960, six years before her death. In 1928, Amelia
Earhart was the first female pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. She was also
the 16th woman to be issued a pilot's license. She mysteriously disappeared during
a flight in 1937, and was pronounced legally dead two years later. Hollywood has
historically been a tough industry for actors of color, but Anna May Wong was able
to find box-office success as a Chinese-American actress in the 1930s. Her decades-
long career survived the transition from black-and-white silent films to talkies
and technicolor. In 2022, she became the first Asian American to be featured on
U.S. currency. In 1934, Grace Hopper earned her Ph.D. in mathematics, becoming one
of the very few women to hold such a degree. She went on to help "develop a
compiler that was a precursor to the widely used COBOL language" for computers, and
she became a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy.
A force in the art world, Frida Kahlo became known in Mexico and around the world
for creating thought-provoking works grounded in magical realism. Her 1938 self-
portrait, titled "The Frame", was the first work by a 20th-century Mexican artist
to ever be featured in the Louvre. The beloved sitcom I Love Lucy made its
television debut in 1951. Lucille Ball became known as one of America�s top
comedians for her iconic role on the show, which had storylines about marital
issues and women in the workforce. The "Golden Age" actress Hedy Lamarr was
credited for helping to co-invent a radio signaling device, a.k.a a "Secret
Communications System." The system changed radio frequencies to confuse and hinder
enemies during World War II, and it's a crucial part of how we communicate
wirelessly today.
In 1966, Indira Gandhi became the third prime minister of India, and is one of few
examples of women rising to power in the country. She continued in her role for
more than 20 years until she was assassinated in 1984. We can thank British
scientist Rosalind Franklin for much of what we know of DNA today. Using X-ray
diffraction methods, she discovered DNA's density, and more importantly, its
molecular structure. This gave way to James Watson and Francis Crick's discovery
that DNA is shaped in a double helix. Her discovery changed how scientists view
genetics and how genes are passed down in families. Betty Friedan is best known for
writing the book The Feminine Mystique, which encourages women to seek more
opportunities for themselves outside traditional home-based roles. She went on to
co-found and become president of the National Organization for Women. In 1968,
Shirley Chisholm made history when she became the first Black woman to be elected
into Congress. The Brooklyn-born activist and political leader later entered the
1975 Democratic presidential race as the first woman and the first Black American
to do so.
Maya Angelou was a poet, singer, and civil rights activist whose 1969 autobiography
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings made literary history as the first nonfiction
bestseller by an African American woman. During her life, she wrote over 36 books,
including several collections of poetry, and recited one of her poems at President
Bill Clinton's 1993 inaugural ceremony. Serena Williams might be the most famous
tennis player on earth, but she might not have gotten her start if not for the
persistence of Althea Gibson. In 1951, Gibson made her historic debut as the first
African American woman to play at Wimbledon. In 1981, O'Connor became the first
woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. O'Connor was nominated by President
Ronald Reagan, and the senate vote to appoint her was unanimous. She was a key
swing vote in upholding big cases, like Roe v. Wade. The famous actress named
Elizabeth Taylor started a foundation named Elizabeth Taylor HIV/AIDS Foundation in
1991 after her close friend, Rock Hudson, died from the disease. The foundation
lends support to those who are sick, and funds research for more advanced
treatments. Taylor was a pioneer at a time when many celebrities and most
politicians were not talking about the AIDS crisis. Benazir Bhutto became the first
woman prime minister of Pakistan in 1988. After a military coup overthrew her
father's government, she inherited leadership of the Pakistan People's Party . She
pushed for open elections, and won, just three months after giving birth.
Throughout the annals of history, there exists an abundant array of remarkable
women whose indomitable spirit, unwavering determination, and groundbreaking
contributions have left an indelible imprint on the fabric of society. From the
valiant endeavors of women's rights activists and trailblazers in the fight against
racial injustice to the innovative brilliance of inventors, the intellectual
prowess of scientists, and the resolute leadership of world figures, their
collective impact transcends generations. Despite the persistent challenges and
pervasive gender biases that persist, the remarkable strides toward equality and
recognition underscore the enduring power of their legacy. Indeed, the
extraordinary accomplishments of these women serve as a beacon of hope and
inspiration for generations to come, illuminating the path toward a more inclusive
and equitable world.
Over the years, history has seen countless incredible women. They are the kind of
inspirational, powerful heroes, who shook up the world as we know it. From women's
rights activists and pioneers of racial equality to inventors, scientists, and
world leaders, there are plenty of women throughout history who have left an
impressive mark on society. Even though we're still often faced with blatant
discrimination on the basis of sex, real progress has been made. The marvellous
achievements of the women discussed here are testament to that.
Many women writers have made remarkable contributions to the area of literature.
Jane Austen pioneered the path for women writers. In her teenage years during the
early 1810s, she started writing her mont famous novels, like Pride and Prejudice
and Sense and Sensibility. She didn't even get credit for her novels until after
her death when her brother Henry publicly announced she was the author. Even today,
the themes of her works and literary devices are of great relevance. Meanwhile,
Nellie Bly basically set the standard for investigative journalism. At a time when
women writers were confined to a restrictive range of topics they could write
about, Bly tackled serious topics like mental health, poverty, and corruption in
politics. She's most famous for going undercover at the mental asylum on Roosevelt
Island. Her expose to the horrific conditions there brought about much needed
changes to patient care. She also set the world record for circumnavigating the
world. She completed the important literary feat in just 72 days, Another
incredibly important, Figure, Anne Frank was a young Jewish girl who died in a
concentration camp in 1945. Her father, Otto Frank, escaped and published his
daughter's diaries in 1947, The important literary contributions she made through
chronicling her experiences during the Holocaust has helped historians, and readers
alike, in better understanding the time. Writer and professor Toni Morrison shot
into the national spotlight after the release of her first novel The Bluest Eye in
1970. From then on, Morrison was committed to telling stories about Black lives
through poetic and intimate prose, winning the National Book of Critics Circle
Award in 1977 for Song of Solomon and the Pulitzer Prize for Beloved in 1988. After
the third novel in the Beloved trilogy was published, she became the first Black
woman to win the 1993 Nobel Prize in Literature.
There are several women whose work has contributed greatly in advancing the fields
of science, mathematics, and astronomy. Ada Lovelace's genius was years before her
time. As an English mathematician, she is credited with being the world's first
computer programmer. Her noten on Babbage's Analytical Engine are known as the
first description for computer software and her efforts. Nowadays, the second
Tuesday in October is known as Ada Lovelace Day and celebrates women in STEM.
Florence Nightingale, a.k.a. Lady with the Lamp, was a British nurse who is
credited as the founder of modern-day nursing. During the Crimean War, she tended
to the wounded for hours on end, after during the night, which earned her her
nickname. In 1860, she opened the first science-based nursing school in London.
Marie Curie did not leave science to the men. Instead, the Polish scientist's work
led to the discovery of two new elements, polonium and radium, and championed the
use of radiation in medicine. She became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in
1903, then she won again in 1911 in Chemistry. Another personality, Katherine G.
Johnson, a mathematician, was one of the brains behind the complex calculations
that helped us fly into space. In 1969, she helped to successfully send the first
man to the moon. Her work is highlighted in the film Hidden Figures, about the
pioneering African American women at NASA. Sally Ride became the first American
woman to travel to space on the shuttle Challenger in 1983. The astrophysicist and
Stanford-grad beat out at least 1,000 other applicants for a spot in the NASA
astronaut program. Mae Jemison was the first African American woman to be accepted
into NASA�s astronaut program. She went on to become the first African American
woman to fly into space in 1992 aboard the Endeavour.
Margaret Sanger, a feminist and women's rights activist, coined the term "birth
control". She wrote pamphlets and opened a women's health clinic decades before her
biggest achievement, getting the Food and Drug Administration to approve the first
oral contraceptive, Enovid, in 1960, six years before her death. In 1928, Amelia
Earhart was the first female pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. She was also
the 16th woman to be issued a pilot's license. She mysteriously disappeared during
a flight in 1937, and was pronounced legally dead two years later. Hollywood has
historically been a tough industry for actors of color, but Anna May Wong was able
to find box-office success as a Chinese-American actress in the 1930s. Her decades-
long career survived the transition from black-and-white silent films to talkies
and technicolor. In 2022, she became the first Asian American to be featured on
U.S. currency. In 1934, Grace Hopper earned her Ph.D. in mathematics, becoming one
of the very few women to hold such a degree. She went on to help "develop a
compiler that was a precursor to the widely used COBOL language" for computers, and
she became a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy.
A force in the art world, Frida Kahlo became known in Mexico and around the world
for creating thought-provoking works grounded in magical realism. Her 1938 self-
portrait, titled "The Frame", was the first work by a 20th-century Mexican artist
to ever be featured in the Louvre. The beloved sitcom I Love Lucy made its
television debut in 1951. Lucille Ball became known as one of America�s top
comedians for her iconic role on the show, which had storylines about marital
issues and women in the workforce. The "Golden Age" actress Hedy Lamarr was
credited for helping to co-invent a radio signaling device, a.k.a a "Secret
Communications System." The system changed radio frequencies to confuse and hinder
enemies during World War II, and it's a crucial part of how we communicate
wirelessly today.
In 1966, Indira Gandhi became the third prime minister of India, and is one of few
examples of women rising to power in the country. She continued in her role for
more than 20 years until she was assassinated in 1984. We can thank British
scientist Rosalind Franklin for much of what we know of DNA today. Using X-ray
diffraction methods, she discovered DNA's density, and more importantly, its
molecular structure. This gave way to James Watson and Francis Crick's discovery
that DNA is shaped in a double helix. Her discovery changed how scientists view
genetics and how genes are passed down in families. Betty Friedan is best known for
writing the book The Feminine Mystique, which encourages women to seek more
opportunities for themselves outside traditional home-based roles. She went on to
co-found and become president of the National Organization for Women. In 1968,
Shirley Chisholm made history when she became the first Black woman to be elected
into Congress. The Brooklyn-born activist and political leader later entered the
1975 Democratic presidential race as the first woman and the first Black American
to do so.
Maya Angelou was a poet, singer, and civil rights activist whose 1969 autobiography
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings made literary history as the first nonfiction
bestseller by an African American woman. During her life, she wrote over 36 books,
including several collections of poetry, and recited one of her poems at President
Bill Clinton's 1993 inaugural ceremony. Serena Williams might be the most famous
tennis player on earth, but she might not have gotten her start if not for the
persistence of Althea Gibson. In 1951, Gibson made her historic debut as the first
African American woman to play at Wimbledon. In 1981, O'Connor became the first
woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. O'Connor was nominated by President
Ronald Reagan, and the senate vote to appoint her was unanimous. She was a key
swing vote in upholding big cases, like Roe v. Wade. The famous actress named
Elizabeth Taylor started a foundation named Elizabeth Taylor HIV/AIDS Foundation in
1991 after her close friend, Rock Hudson, died from the disease. The foundation
lends support to those who are sick, and funds research for more advanced
treatments. Taylor was a pioneer at a time when many celebrities and most
politicians were not talking about the AIDS crisis. Benazir Bhutto became the first
woman prime minister of Pakistan in 1988. After a military coup overthrew her
father's government, she inherited leadership of the Pakistan People's Party . She
pushed for open elections, and won, just three months after giving birth.
Throughout the annals of history, there exists an abundant array of remarkable
women whose indomitable spirit, unwavering determination, and groundbreaking
contributions have left an indelible imprint on the fabric of society. From the
valiant endeavors of women's rights activists and trailblazers in the fight against
racial injustice to the innovative brilliance of inventors, the intellectual
prowess of scientists, and the resolute leadership of world figures, their
collective impact transcends generations. Despite the persistent challenges and
pervasive gender biases that persist, the remarkable strides toward equality and
recognition underscore the enduring power of their legacy. Indeed, the
extraordinary accomplishments of these women serve as a beacon of hope and
inspiration for generations to come, illuminating the path toward a more inclusive
and equitable world.