Each year, the month of March is dedicated to celebrating the important contributions women have made in society. Women’s history month was first celebrated in 1987, and has continued to be used as commemoration of the vital role that women play in the world. There are many women throughout history who embody the importance of equality, making the month of March even more special as we honor their accomplishments.
Harriet Tubman: Harriet Tubman was a powerful abolitionist during slavery. Born into slavery in 1822, she became well-known for leading slaves to freedom after escaping herself. She is known today as a main “conductor” of the Underground Railroad, a network of safe houses used to free enslaved people. She is credited with rescuing approximately 70 slaves before her death in 1913.
Rosa Parks: Rosa Parks is credited as “the first lady of civil rights” and “the mother of the freedom movement” by the U.S. Congress. She is best known for her activism during the Montgomery bus boycott, in which she refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white man. Not only did she protest against segregated buses, but she was also a member of several organizations with the overall intent to end inequality.
Amelia Earhart: Amelia Earhart was born in 1897, and became the first female aviator to fly alone across the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, she disappeared on a flight in 1937, but not before her record-breaking aviation career paved the way for the future of air travel.
Susan B. Anthony: Susan B. Anthony, born in 1820, was an influential woman fighting for women’s rights. Her role in the women’s suffrage movement was vital, as she became a leader for many women. In addition, she was part of the anti-slavery movement, collecting petitions at the age of just 17. She was born into a Quaker family, who believed that everyone was equal, which resulted in her growing activism towards social issues.
Marie Curie: Marie Curie was an influential woman in the science department, and made many discoveries in radioactivity and X-rays. In 1903, she became the first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, and in 1911, she became the first person to ever win it twice. She discovered two chemical elements that completely altered radioactivity, and continued to make imperative discoveries until her death in 1934.
Ada Lovelace: Ada Lovelace was the world’s first computer programmer after developing the original idea for a computing device. She was a mathematician as well as a writer, and made many electrical advancements during the 1800s.
Florence Nightingale: Florence Nightingale was a nurse who tended to the wounded during the Crimean War. Her experience during the war allowed her to make medical advancements, giving her the title of being the founder of modern-day nursing.
Eleanor Roosevelt: Although her husband was President of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt made a name for herself. She completely changed the role of the first lady as she contributed her own ideas and findings. She fought for equality, and tried to give African Americans the opportunity for equal rights.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the first Jewish woman and the second female justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. She was a serious women’s rights activist during her time alive, and she dedicated her life to fighting for equality. Having just recently passed in 2020, Ginsburg made lots of contributions to the women’s rights movement.
