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, […]
Julia Ward Howe: Abolitionist, Social Activist, Poet
In November 1861, while she was staying at Willard’s Hotel in embattled Washington, DC, Julia Ward Howe wrote the lyrics to the most famous patriotic anthem of the Civil War. “It would be impossible for me to say,” she wrote in her Reminiscences (1899), “how many times I have been called upon to rehearse the […]
4 Medieval Women Mystics
In medieval Europe, the theology and practice of Christian mysticism flourished. Mystics were those who tried to identify or pursue communion with God by meditation, visions, intuition and insight. These four women were unusual in their religious influence at a time when women were thought to be physically, mentally, and spiritually weaker than men. Christina […]
The Role of Women In the 1963 March on Washington
In 1963, hundreds of thousands of people from across the United States rallied in Washington, D.C. to demand equal rights for African Americans. While women played a key role in organizing the march, they were purposely excluded from the official program, and struggled for recognition for their contributions. March On Washington for Jobs and Freedom […]
Bibha Chowdhuri, Forgotten Physicist and Researcher
Bibha Chowduri was the first Indian woman to earn a PhD in Physics. Her research into cosmic rays brought her very close to a Nobel Prize, but many of her incredible contributions have been erased from the books.