Women’s contributions and accomplishments have largely been overlooked and consequently excluded from mainstream culture. Women have driven history by breaking barriers in politics, science and social justice. Acting as pioneers, inventers and leaders.

Throughout history, women have been healers and care takers. Playing multiple roles as pharmacists, nurses and midwives as well as ‘wise women’. Elizabeth Gooking Greenleaf was the first female pharmacist in the United States (1681-1762), opening her own apothecary shop in Boston, 1727. She was the only woman among the 32 apothecaries at the time and is honored National women pharmacist day, October 12th. As early as 4000 BC, there were women who studied, taught and practiced medicine. “The world “witch” comes from the old English Wicce, meaning “wise woman”, as witches were once considered healers and midwives in ancient communities”, from randomfacts.app.

What did women do through out history? Some key moments in women’s history included:

• 1776-1807 – Women in some American colonies (New Jersey) voted, but these rights were later revoked.
• 1848 – The first Women’s rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York, starting decades-long push for the suffrage and equality.
• 1869 – Wyoming territory passed the first women’s suffrage law, making it the first place to grant women the right to vote in the U.S.
• 1920 – The 19th Amendment was ratified, granting American women the right to vote after 72-year long fight following the Seneca falls convention.
• 1960 – 1970 – Second-wave feminist movement sought to change cultural perceptions, address workplace discrimination and push for the equal rights amendment.
• 1980 – Congress officially declared the first National Women’s History week, later evolved into Women’s History month in 1987.

Women have made a big difference through out human existence! dating back 150+ years, with major turning points.

Women who made History!

Political leaders & Activists

• Queen Elizabeth I (1553-1603) – Led England into a golden age of culture and power.
• Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) – Led enslaved people to freedom as a conductor on the underground railroad.
• Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) – Key leader in the women’s suffrage movement, advocating for women’s rights to vote.
• Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) – Redefined the role of First lady and was instrumental in founding the UN.
• Indira Gandhi (1917-1984) – Served as the first and only prime minister of India.
• Rosa Parks (1913-2005) – Pivotal rights activist know for refusing to give up her bus seat.

Scientists & innovators

• Marie Curie (1867-1934) – First woman to win a Nobel prize for her work on radioactivity.
• Ada Lovelace (1815-1852) – Considered the first computer programmer for her work on Charles Babbage’s Analytic Engine.
• Katherine Johnson (1918-2020) – NASA mathematician whose calculations were crucial for human spaceflight.
• Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) – Founder of modern nursing who revolutionized hospital sanitation.

Cultural & Social pioneers

• Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) – Renowned Mexican painter known for her uncompromising self-portraits
• Amelia Earhart (1897-1937) –  First female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic ocean
• Helen Keller (1880-1968) – Author and disability rights activist, the first deaf-blind person to earn a bachelors degree.
• Malala Yousafzai (1997-present) – Activist for female education and the youngest Nobel prize laureate.

Other Notable Figures

• Sacagawea – Guided the Lewis and Clark expedition across North America
• Josephine Baker – Famed entertainer and a French resistance spy in WW2
• Victoria Woodhull – The first woman to run for president of the United States, in 1872.

Women’s History month, celebrated in March. Highlights monumental achievements.