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 […]
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.
Carmen Amaya, Queen of the Gypsies
Carmen Amaya (1913–1963) was a Romani dancer who performed around the world and had a huge impact on the art of flamenco. During her lifetime she was called the greatest of dancers, and Queen of the Gypsies. Carmen Amaya is hail on a windowpane, a swallow’s cry, a black cigar smoked by a dreamer, thunderous […]
Who Invented Windshield Wipers? Mary Anderson
You may have never heard of Mary Anderson, but you’ve probably used her invention thousands of times in your life! One frosty day in 1903, Mary Anderson (1866-1953), a native of Birmingham, Alabama, was visiting New York City via a trolley car. She was trying to catch all the sights of the city’s crowded streets, […]
Alaska P. Davidson, the FBI’s first female Special Agent
Alaska Packard Davidson (1868–1934) became the first female Special Agent in 1922, at the age of 54. She only served for two years before being asked to resign by newly-appointed Director J. Edgar Hoover. It wasn’t until 1972, shortly after Hoover’s death and the passing of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, that women once again […]
The Canadian Persons Case: Are Women People?
Even after many women were granted limited rights to vote in early 20th century Canada, they still had never been appointed to the Canadian Senate. Though the law stated that any “qualified person” could be appointed to the Senate, it had only ever been applied to men. In the 1920s, a group of women known […]