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Learn about the amazing women who made history and changed the world. From Susan B. Anthony to Harriet Tubman, discover the stories of women heroes and their achievements.
- Anne Frank
- Shirley Chisholm
- Madam C.J. Walker
- Virginia Woolf
- Lucy Diggs Slowe
- Sarah Storey
- Jane Austen
- Sheila Johnson
- Sally Ride
- Jackie Macmullan
Germany, 1929–1945
Anne Frank and her Jewish family, along with four other people, hid in a secret annex throughout World War II until their discovery in 1944 led to their deportation to concentration camps. During this time, Anne, at 12 years old, maintained a journal that her father, the sole survivor of the Frank family, later published. Publishers have translated The Diary of Anne Frankinto nearly 70 languages, making it a symbol of hope, love, and resilience amid one of history’s darkest times. Learn more:...
United States, 1924–2005
In 1964, Shirley Chisholm became the second Black person to serve in the New York State Legislature. But “Fighting Shirley” also accomplished a lot of “firsts” in her career. Just four years after her service in the legislature, she became the first Black woman to serve in Congress. She went on to become the first Black person and the first woman to run for president of the United States. She was also the first Black woman to serve on the House Rules Committee and even co-founded the National...
United States, 1867–1919
Long before there was Mary Kay and Avon, Madam C.J. Walker introduced door-to-door hair and beauty care for Black women. As a result, Walker became one of the first self-made female American millionaires and eventually built an empire of 40,000 brand ambassadors. Learn more: Madam C.J. Walker
United Kingdom, 1882–1941
If you’re into the literary arts, you’ve probably heard of Virginia Woolf, but many don’t know her life story. An early feminist writer, Woolf was a survivor of sexual abuse who spoke out about the disadvantages women faced as artists. Her work helped expand women’s access to the heavily male-dominated literary world. Learn more: Virginia Woolf
United States, 1885–1937
Paving the way for future famous women in tennis history like Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, and Coco Gauff, the incredible Lucy Diggs Slowe became the first Black woman to win a national tennis title in 1917. Off the court, she dedicated her life to fighting for civil rights; helped found Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), the first Greek society for Black women; and eventually went on to serve as the dean of women at Howard University. Learn more: Lucy Diggs Slowe
United Kingdom, born 1977
After being born without a functioning left hand, Sarah Storey faced a lot of bullying and prejudice growing up. She didn’t let that stop her, though. Instead, she went on to become Britain’s most decorated Paralympian, earning 27 medals, including 17 gold medals, in cycling and swimming. Learn more: Sarah Storey
United Kingdom, 1775–1817
Born into a family of eight children, Jane Austen started writing in her teens and went on to become what many consider the original queen of romantic comedies. Her novels such as Sense and Sensibilityand Pride and Prejudiceare classics, but at the time of their writing, she hid her identity as the author. It wasn’t until after her death that her brother, Henry, shared the truth. Her work continues to be relevant and influential to this day. Learn more: Jane Austen
United States, born 1949
The first Black female billionaire, Sheila Johnson built her empire by co-founding Black Entertainment Television (BET). She then went on to become the first Black woman to hold a stake in three professional-level sports teams: the Washington Capitals (NHL), the Washington Wizards (NBA), and the Washington Mystics (WNBA). Learn more: Sheila Johnson
United States, 1951–2012
After flying on the Challenger in 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman to travel to space. She encouraged women and girls to pursue STEM careers, serving as director of the California Space Science Institute, writing children’s books, and collaborating with science programs. It was revealed after her death that she had spent 27 years with her partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy, making her the first-known LGBTQ+ astronaut. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously, an awa...
United States, born 1960
A former columnist and reporter for the Boston Globe, Jackie MacMullan helped open doors for women in sports journalism. The Hall of Fame basketball writer was awarded the PEN/ESPN Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 for Literary Sports Writing. She retired from ESPN in 2021. Learn more: Jackie MacMullan
- Kim Campbell. Kim is known as a ‘Woman of Firsts’. She was the first Prime Minister of Canada. Her journey as a political figure was not at all easy. Kim faced many defeats and brick-walls in her career, especially in gaining a leader role.
- Deborah Sampson. Deborah was a Revolutionary War heroine who dressed as a man and successfully served in the Continental Army for 17 months. Deborah’s long struggle to get the American Revolutionary War pension helped to recognize the efforts of all those who had fought for their country, whether man or woman.
- Jeanette Rankin. She was elected before women won the right to vote nationally, being the first women to be elected to the United States Congress. At this time the campaign for women’s right to vote was becoming popular with the public.
- Susan B. Anthony. Susan fought for women to have the right to vote amongst other issues such as women to have the right to own property. She was arrested for illegally voting in a presidential election, to raise awareness on how unfair it was for women.
- Lifestyle Editor
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- Maya Angelou. From her powerful poetry to her moving autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou forever changed the literary world and opened doors for Black authors everywhere.
- Lucille Ball. While she was an undeniable light onscreen in I Love Lucy, Ball was an extremely powerful figure off camera as well. She was the first woman to own a major studio, called Desilu Productions.
- Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth II served as head of the royal family for 70 years, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, just three months before she passed away at 96 years old.
- Rosa Parks. Parks famously became a leader in the 1950s Civil Rights Movement when she refused to give up her seat on the bus for a white passenger. Her bravery sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and was a major factor in the end of legal segregation.
- Amelia Earhart. Amelia Earhart was a pioneering pilot. She became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Born in Kansas in 1897, Earhart developed a love of flying at a young age.
- Eleanor Roosevelt. Eleanor Roosevelt was a politician, diplomat, and activist. She served as the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She was a strong advocate for civil rights, women’s rights, and the rights of refugees and minority groups.
- Grace Hopper. Grace Hopper was a computer scientist and mathematician. She helped develop the first computer programming languages. The term “debugging” was invented after she removed an actual moth from a computer system in the 1940s!
- Harriet Beecher Stowe. Harriet Beecher Stowe was an American author who is most famous for her novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Stowe had strong anti-slavery beliefs.
Mar 6, 2023 · Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933-2020) Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an American jurist and Supreme Court Justice. She was a powerful and influential woman who dedicated her life to fighting for gender equality and civil rights. Ginsburg co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union.
For most of history, women did not have the same rights as men. They were not allowed to vote or to own property. They did not have access to the same schools, and they could not work at the same jobs. Despite that, women have made important contributions to the world. Some did so by fighting for women’s rights. Others made their mark in a ...
