How did women’s fashion change from the restrictive corsets and heavy petticoats worn for centuries, to the more comfortable and practical clothes available today? The Rational Dress Movement of the Victorian era played a small role in women casting off their cumbersome clothing. Women’s Fashion in the Victorian Era Women’s fashions in Victorian times emphasized […]
Mary Richards, Civil War Spy: She Never Surrendered
Mary Richards was born into slavery in Richmond, Virginia. Freed by the Van Lew family who owned her, she was sent to school in the North, in order to become a missionary. At age 15, she was sent to teach in Liberia, West Africa. But after four years, ill and miserable, she wrote to her […]
The Matilda Effect: Invisible Women in Science
Women have made contributions to science throughout history, despite facing a variety of challenges due to their gender. One such challenge, which affects the acknowledgment of women’s scientific achievements, is called the Matilda Effect. In order to fully appreciate the accomplishments of women in science and the barriers they have faced, it’s important to understand […]
32+ Best Quotes by Women On Motherhood
From the whimsical to the wise, these quotes on motherhood come from some of the most famous women in history. Learn from the wisdom of Anne Frank and the wit and whimsy of humorist Erma Bombeck in these quotes on the joys and trials of motherhood from the perspective of mothers and daughters. Unconditional Love […]
4 Famous Black Women Of the Harlem Renaissance
Around the 1920s in Harlem, New York, a new movement celebrating African American art and culture thrived. The “New Negro Movement,” as it was called at the time, gathered together artists, poets, authors, and intellectuals, and had a lasting effect on the development of African American culture. This literary and social movement became known as […]
5 Successful Black Businesswomen In History
Black women entrepreneurs have faced the double barriers of sexism and racism throughout United States history. Despite these challenges, many have achieved remarkable success. Here are five inspiring stories of 19th and early 20th century black businesswomen who overcame adversity and built thriving businesses: Bridget “Biddy” Mason (c. 1818 – 1891) Bridget, also known as […]
Stephanie Kwolek, inventor of Kevlar
Stephanie Kwolek is the chemist who invented Kevlar in 1965. “To invent, I draw upon my knowledge, intuition, creativity, experience, common sense, perseverance, flexibility, and hard work.” She started working as a chemist in 1946 just to earn enough money to go to medical school, to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a doctor. She […]
5 Famous Women Atheists In History
Throughout history, women have challenged societal norms and religious doctrines. This list highlights some influential women throughout the centuries who defied expectations and openly identified as atheists, making significant contributions in their respective fields. 1. Hypatia (c. 350 – 415 AD) Hypatia of Alexandria was a brilliant mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher who lived in late […]
Simone de Beauvoir: Her Life and Significance
French writer and philosopher Simone de Beauvoir is most famous for her 1949 book The Second Sex. She had a significant impact on the development of modern feminist theory, though she never considered herself a philosopher and didn’t call herself a feminist until later in life. In regard to her own work she called herself […]
Women of the California Gold Rush
In the mid-19th century, women had very few rights. But the circumstances of the California Gold Rush created unique opportunities for women, enabling many to make their fortune—and not just by discovering gold. When Was the California Gold Rush? The Gold Rush began in 1848 when gold was discovered by James W. Marshall in Coloma, […]