Arabella Mansfield became the first female lawyer in the United States when she was admitted to the bar in 1869. She took the bar exam when only men were legally allowed to take the test, and won a court case for her right to practice law. Early Life of Arabella Mansfield Born Belle Aurelia Babb […]
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 […]
Anna May Wong, Internationally Acclaimed Actress
Anna May Wong was the first Chinese-American movie star and the first Asian-American actress to gain international fame. She used her fame and influence to talk about and protest the racist practices in Hollywood, protesting against racist depictions of Chinese characters, and opening up more significant and starring roles for herself and many actors of […]
Constance Fenimore Woolson, Successful American Novelist
The author Constance Fenimore Woolson (1840-1894), who wrote five novels for adults and dozens of stories, was widely considered during her lifetime one of the most important American fiction writers of the nineteenth century. While Woolson may not be a household name today, she is a bit of a novelty for students of American literature […]
The Life and Artistry of Patti Smith
Patti Smith is an American singer-songwriter, author, and poet widely known as one of the founders and most influential artists in the burgeoning 1970s New York City punk rock movement. Her debut album Horses, with its fusion of spoken poetry and punk rock avant-garde, chronicles both her personal experiences as a female artist and musician […]
Fannie Farmer, the mother of level measurements
Fannie Farmer was a teacher and the author of the innovative Boston Cooking-School Cookbook, the first cookbook to use strict standardized measurements.
Alice Freeman Palmer, Pioneer of Women’s Education
Alice Freeman Palmer was among the most influential people who expanded the academic horizons for women in the USA.
Dot Wilkinson – One of the Greatest Female Athletes You’ve Never Heard Of
Dot Wilkinson is widely known as one of the greatest Fastpitch Softball players to have ever played the game.
Harriet Powers: A Sermon in Patchwork
Harriet Powers was a creative African-American quilting genius! She used her quilts to re-tell familiar Bible stories in a unique and fascinating way.
Mary Ann Shadd Cary, Famous Abolitionist and Pioneering Publisher
Mary Ann Shadd Cary was a teacher, publisher, lawyer, and civil rights activist who published a weekly newspaper called The Provincial Freeman.
