75 Women Who Changed Our World
75 Women Who Changed Our World
From the White House and the silver screen, to Olympic podiums and equality marches, these 75 women changed the world — blazing the trail while battling adversity. Without each one of their contributions, our world wouldn't be the what it is today. In honor of Women's History Month, we take a look at these fierce, empowering, and inspiring ladies.
Rosa Parks
After refusing to give up her bus seat to a white person in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks' courageous act in 1955 sparked a turning point in the civil rights movement.
Michelle Obama
As the nation's first African American FLOTUS, Mrs. Obama helmed many impactful initiatives, including the Let's Move! campaign which set out to combat childhood obesity.
Margaret Thatcher
Britain's first female (and longest-serving) Prime Minister garnered the title "Iron Lady" for her strong opinions, strict policy, and firm leadership.
Princess Diana
Although Diana's tenure as Princess of Wales was tragically cut short, her humanitarian work with AIDS victims has left her with a charitable legacy.
Amelia Earhart
Earhart soared to notoriety as the first female aviator to fly across the Atlantic Ocean alone.
Jane Goodall
Goodall's unique connection with the environment and animals has inspired generations to conserve and protect our planet's fellow inhabitants.
Ruth Handler
The original "Boss Barbie" created an empire with her iconic toy doll invention. She later served as President of Mattel, proving "Barbie" could really do anything.
Hillary Clinton
In addition to a lengthy political and philanthropical career, Clinton inspired young girls across the nation when she made the ballot as the first female presidential nominee in 2016.
Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell
When Blackwell received a medical degree in 1849, she was the first female to join the Medical Register of the General Medical Council. She practiced as a physician and encouraged other women to pursue careers in medicine until her death in 1910.
Ellen Degeneres
The popular talk show host made waves when she came out as a lesbian on her sitcom in 1997. The iconic "Coming Out" episode played a large part in beginning to erase the stigma surrounding the LGBT community.
Gloria Steinem
The influential journalist served as a leader in the 1960s and 1970s during the forefront of the feminist movement.
Mother Teresa
The charitable figure is the prime example of sacrifice and strength. She inspired the world over with her kind heart, aiding those who needed it most.
Queen Elizabeth II
Since taking the throne during her coronation in 1953, her royal majesty has become the longest-reigning Queen and female head of state in the world.
Oprah Winfrey
When she's not producing intriguing and thought-provoking content for our TV screens, the generous billionaire is busy with her various charitable and humanitarian ventures.
Susan B. Anthony
The American women's rights activist played a key role in the women's suffrage movement. Her involvement led to the 19th amendment, which gives women the right to vote.
Estée Lauder
The thriving business owner and queen of cosmetics is the founder of Estée Lauder, MAC Cosmetics, Clinique, and more. Today, her brands are worth a jaw-dropping $17 billion.
Rose McGowan
When the actress-turned-activist spoke out against her sexual abuser, studio head Harvey Weinstein, several women were empowered to share their similar stories — ushering in the era of #MeToo and #TimesUp.
Florence Nightingale
The English statistician is widely recognized as the founder of modern nursing. Today, the Florence Nightingale Medal is the highest international honor a nurse can receive.
Pearl S. Buck
Pearl S. Buck's classic novel "The Good Earth" earned the prolific author and activist a Pulitzer Prize. She is also the fourth female ever to receive a Nobel Prize in literature.
Anne Frank
The young writer journaled a diary detailing the harrowing account of her family's attempt to hide from the Nazis during the Holocaust. Her tragic story has touched the souls of many and is remembered the world over.
Helen Keller
American author, political activist and lecturer, Helen Keller, was the first deaf and blind person to earn a college degree - proving that the only obstacle in achieving one's dream is yourself.
Ada Lovelace
While Lovelace passed away long before the computer age, her skills in mathematical algorithms and analytical engineering bestow upon her the title of the "first computer programmer" by many.
Dorothy Thompson
Named one of the most "influential women in the U.S." alongside Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1939 edition of Time magazine, Thompson worked as a journalist for a number of publications - covering topics of war, politics, home, and family.
Margaret Hamilton
The computer scientist and business owner is credited with coining the term "software engineer." Hamilton played an intricate role in designing the flight software for the Apollo space program.
Emmeline Panklhurst
British political activist, Emmeline Panklhurst was a prominent figure in the British suffragette movement - earning women the right to vote. Panklhurst also founded the Women's Social and Political Union in 1903.
Billie Jean King
King is the mighty queen of tennis. She earned her title as the World's #1 tennis player after winning an impressive 39 Grand Slam titles. At age 29, she won the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match against her 55-year-old, male competitor, Bobby Riggs.
Emily Dickinson
Chances are you have come across the works of poet Emily Dickinson in English class a time or two. She is widely recognized as one of the greatest American poets of all time.
Katharine Hepburn
Hollywood's leading lady, who starred in "Morning Glory," "The African Queen," and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," challenged the stereotype of femininity in the 1930s. Her striking, independent attitude garnered the performer four Best Actress Oscars.
Queen Victoria
Taking the throne at the young age of 18, Queen Victoria changed the reputation of the royal family for the better with her growth and sustainment of the British Empire. Her most prominent ruling enforced a law that every child had to go to school.
Lucille Ball
The television pioneer showcased undeniable comedic timing, strong camera presence, and charismatic charm - allowing everyone to Love Lucy. She was the first woman to run a television studio and capture the attention of viewers across the globe.
Cleopatra
Ancient Egypt's last active pharaoh played a great role in maintaining Egypt's reign over their own land. Cleopatra displayed great power and ambition during her time of leadership.
J.K. Rowling
The spellbinding author shaped a generation with her best-selling "Harry Potter" book series.
Jane Addams
A leader in the women's suffrage movement, Addams is better known for her pioneering activism in the field of social work - garnering her the title "mother of social work."
Frida Kahlo
When an artist's work punctures popular culture and helps define a society, they are genuinely influential. Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo, is one of the creators. Her paintings explore topics of gender, class, and race in Mexican society.
Kathryn Bigelow
For her 2010 war-drama "The Hurt Locker," Bigelow was the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Director.
Margaret Sanger
The term "birth control" wouldn't exist had it not been for Ms. Sanger. The American sex educator, writer, and nurse founded what would eventually become the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
Nancy Pelosi
The Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives was the first female to serve as Speaker of the House.
Elizabeth Eckford
Part of the Little Rock Nine, Eckford was one of the first black students to attend an all-white school as a result of the "Brown v. Board of Education" supreme court case. Her courageous act sparked the beginning of racial integration within the education system.
Barbara Walters
Paving the way for female journalists and news anchors everywhere, Walters was the first woman to co-anchor the network evening news.
Mary Kay Ash
Entrepreneur Mary Kay Ash founded her eponymous cosmetics company in 1963 with $5,000 and a dream. Today, the company has over 3 million consultants worldwide and is valued at a staggering $3 billion.
Katharine Graham
Graham, the second woman ever to hold the title as a publisher for a major publication, won the Pulitzer Prize for her 1998 memoir which detailed her two decades helming The Washington Post.
Jane Austen
The "Pride and Prejudice" novelist provided a unique perspective on British life during the end of the 18th century. Her works are still celebrated to this day.
Marie Curie
The first woman to receive a Nobel Prize, Curie (a Polish physicist), conducted pioneering research on radioactivity.
Sally Ride
At age 32, Ride was not only the first American woman to go to space, but she was also the youngest astronaut to have made the trip.
Coco Chanel
There isn't glamour without Chanel. The French designer built an empire worth nearly $8 billion. That's a lot of no. 5.
Margaret Bourke-White
Bourke-White has an eye for photography... but not just any photography. She was the first female permitted to capture images of the war. Her photo of Fort Peck Dam donned the cover of LIFE magazine.
Madeleine Albright
In 1997, Albright made history by becoming the first female to be appointed as United States Secretary of State. She served under President Bill Clinton until 2001.
Virginia Woolf
Many credit English writer Virginia Woolf as being the first author to use a stream of consciousness as a narrative device. Her famous works include "To the Lighthouse," "Orlando," and "The Voyage Out," which feature many progressive feminist themes.
Barbara Jordan
In 1972, Jordan became the first African American woman to be elected into the U.S. House of Representatives. She also received support from President Johnson, who assisted her in obtaining a position on the House Judiciary Committee.
Grace Hopper
Computer programming wouldn't be where it is today without computer scientist, Grace Hopper. She developed the idea of programming code as having its own language - popularizing the still used COBOL computer coding language.
Maya Ying
At the young age of 21, Ying achieved recognition during her time studying at Yale University when her design for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. was selected in a national competition.
Junko Tabei
To call Japanese mountaineer, Tabei, an adventurist is an understatement. She was the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest and is also the first female to make it to all Seven Summits across every continent.
Kathrine Switzer
In 1967, Switzer was the first women to run in the Boston Marathon. During the competition, race official Jock Semple attempted to rip her bib off, but she persevered and kept running. In 1972, women were officially allowed to compete in the marathon.
Nadia Comaneci
Before 1976, no person had ever received a perfect score of 10.0 in the Olympic Gymnastic competition. Enter Comaneci, who was the first to receive the honor. She is the youngest Olympic gold medallist in history - proving it's never too early to dream.
Harriet Tubman
You can't mention the Underground Railroad without mentioning Harriet Tubman. The American hero, born into slavery, helped over 70 enslaved people achieve a life of freedom.
Gertrude Ederle
The adage "women do it better" rang true in 1926 when Ederle became the first women to swim the English Channel - beating out the men's record by two hours.
Indira Gandhi
Gandhi was the first, and to this day is the only, woman to serve as the Prime Minister of India. She led in periodic terms from 1960 until her tragic assassination in 1984.
Irena Sendler
During a dark chapter in world history, Sendler provided a light, serving in the Polish Underground during World War II in Nazi-occupied Warsaw. She saved the lives of many with her nursing and social work skills.
Clara Barton
During a time when very few women worked outside the home, Clara Barton donated much of her efforts to creating a systemized nursing education system. The pioneering nurse was the founder of the American Red Cross.
Caitlyn Jenner
The Olympic gold medalist and reality star made global headlines when she publicly came out as transgender in 2015 - bringing the conversation and acceptance of the transgender community to the mainstream.
Mary Wollstonecraft
Many modern female philosophers cite the English writer and advocate as a source of inspiration. It wasn't until after Wollstonecraft passed away that her works of writing were appreciated for their feminist, philosophic messages.
Althea Gibson
With an impressive 11 Grand Slam titles to her name, Gibson is the first African American to have achieved the honor. The tennis pro was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971.
Valentina Tereshkova
Beating out more than 400 applicants, the Russian engineer was the first female to travel to space. Tereshkova piloted the Vostok 6 mission in 1963.
Sandra Day O'Connor
Associate Justice O'Connor was the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. She sat on the bench from 1981-2006, where she oversaw many notable cases, including "Webster v. Reproductive Health Services."
Malala Yousafzai
The Nobel Peace Prize recipient is also the youngest-ever to receive such honors. The human rights activist was shot by a Taliban gunman at age 15, but miraculously survived and continues the fight for female education.
Dolores Huerta
Leading up to her induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1993, Huerta was a pivotal voice in women's rights and American labor laws, serving as the co-founder of the United Farm Workers organization.
Maya Angelou
Activist and poet, Maya Angelou, worked alongside civil rights leaders, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X to assure equality for all. Her famous works of literature revolved around the themes of racism and identity.
Dr. Mae Jemison
Prepare for take-off! When the space shuttle "Endeavor" launched into orbit in 1992, Dr. Jemison (an engineer and physician) became the first African American woman to travel to space.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The second appointed female Justice of the Supreme Court (behind Sandra Day O'Connor) has made a significant impact during her time behind the bench. She recently served as the subject for the critically acclaimed film R.B.G.
Benazir Bhutto
From 1988-1996, the Pakistani politician was the first woman to serve as Prime Minister in any Muslim majority nation.
Harper Lee
The Pulitzer Prize-winning author penned the modern American classic "To Kill A Mockingbird," which provided much insight into race and class issues during the 1930s.
Marilyn Monroe
A covergirl from the Golden Age of Hollywood, Monroe was a movie star who defined an era of beauty, glamour, and success.
Dorothy Levitt
Levitt speeds her way onto the list as the first British female racing driver. The pioneering motorist held many industry records during her time.
Aretha Franklin
"The Queen of Soul" moved many with her empowered R&B vocals and activist messages. The talented musician gathered 18 Grammy Awards throughout her legendary career.
Celebrating fierce and fantastic females who altered the course of history.