If you check out these seven amazing women and their accomplishments, those midterm exams and research papers won’t seem so scary after all!
Rosalind Franklin
You know a little thing called DNA? Well, this is the amazing woman who cracked the code… and as an undergraduate! Although credit for her work was given to Francis Crick and James Watson, when they received a Noble Prize after the time of Franklin’s death, she is now remembered as one of the key scientists involved in unlocking the mystery behind the DNA helix.
Ida B. Wells-Barnett
In 1884, Wells was asked to give up her seat on a train for a white passenger. When she refused, the conductor physically tried to move her, but Wells fought back, about a decade before Plessy v. Ferguson was enacted (1896). This incident sparked the beginning of Wells’ fight against racial (and gender) inequality in pre-Civil Rights America. Not only did she use undercover journalism to expose incidences of lynching, but Wells also established a number of organizations with the aim of benefitting African American women and worked with Jane Addams to stop segregation in Chicago schools.
Jane Addams
No, I’m not talking about the first lady! This Jane Addams was born in the 19th century and her work for the rights of the poor and impoverished, as well as her fight to improve public education was revolutionary. She is best known for founding Hull House in Chicago, where she catered to the needs of the less fortunate, especially immigrants who faced prejudice and mistreatment. She worked tirelessly to establish labor laws (especially child labor laws), enforce mandated attendance in school, and improve working conditions in factories. On top of all of this, Addams was an advocate for women’s suffrage and for pacifism, which earned her the Noble Peace Prize in 1931.
Sor. Juana Ines de la Cruz
Though reputed for her great physical beauty and rumored to have had many suitors, de la Cruz chose the monastic life and further pursuit of her studies over marriage. In 1690, a letter condemning a famous Jesuit sermon was published without Sister Juana’s knowledge, along with a letter advocating for women’s right to education, Respuesta a Sor Filotea, was also released and is viewed as the “first feminist manifesto.”
Anna May Wong
Anna May Wong was arguably the first Chinese-American movie star. In a time when racism in Hollywood was rampant and blatant, Wong broke barriers. Though she portrayed characters that reinforced stereotypes of Asian Americans, the fact that Wong was a trailblazer who made a name for herself in an environment where it seemed nearly impossible to do so. For that reason, this glamorous screen siren makes our inspirational list!
Eleanor Lambert
The original PR maven, Lambert was responsible for completely revolutionizing the fashion industry. Not only did she put American designers on the map, she also founded the CFDA awards and a little thing called New York Fashion Week. Oh, and before fashion? She helped to pioneer the founding of the MOMA and represented some of the most prominent artists of the 20th century, including Jackson Pollock.
Belva Ann Lockwood
If you think Hillary Clinton is the first woman to run for president, guess again! One Belva Ann Lockwood was an attorney who, despite being mocked and degraded by men for her campaign, ran for president in 1884. Although she didn’t win, Lockwood is one historical lady you should know about!