HERstory

In 1734, Marie Sallé made HERstory by becoming the 1st Woman to choreograph a ballet in which she also danced when she presented her 1st original work, Pygmalion. Watch me twirl!

In 1921, Edith Wharton made HERstory by becoming to 1st women to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Literature for her novel The Age of Innocence. Other interesting tidbits about Edith. She was living in Paris when WWI started; instead of returning to America, she set up sewing workshops, opened hostels to house refugees fleeing from German invaders, & wrote news from the front lines. What a woman!

In 1951, Joan Salvato Wulff made HERstory by becoming the 1st Woman to win the Fisherman's Distance Event, casting 131 feet against an all-male competition. Girls can fish,too!

In 1956, Margaret Towner made HERstory by becoming the 1st female minister ordained by the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Praise be!

In 1972, Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

The Women’s Rights project & related ACLU projects participated in over 300 gender discrimination cases by 1974. RBG lives on!

On 11.14.1954, Condoleezza Rice was born. She made HERstory in 2005 by becoming the first Black woman to serve as the US Secretary of State. Just call her "Madam Secretary."

The Silent Sentinels were a group of over 2,000 women organized by Alice Paul and the National Woman’s Party (NWP) who staged a continuous, nonviolent protest outside the White House from January 1917 to June 1919. Their goal? To pressure President Woodrow Wilson and Congress to pass a constitutional amendment granting Women the right to vote.

Their strategy? Silent Picketing (They were the first group to picket the White House, holding banners with pointed messages like “Mr. President, how long must Women wait for liberty?”); Strategic Messaging (Their banners quoted Wilson’s own words about democracy, turning his rhetoric back on him; and Visual Identity (They wore purple, white, and gold sashes, the colors of the NWP, and used matching banners to create a striking visual presence. Did they endure hardships? YES. Nearly 500 Women were arrested, and 168 served jail time. Many were sent to the Occoquan Workhouse, where they endured horrific conditions.

On November 14, 1917, known as the “Night of Terror", guards brutally beat and tortured imprisoned suffragists. Lucy Burns was chained by her hands above her head; Dora Lewis was knocked unconscious; Dorothy Day was slammed against an iron bench.

The result? After Wilson’s continued resistance, protesters escalated by burning his speeches and image in effigy. The NWP campaigned against anti-suffrage senators in the 1918 elections. Finally, their relentless pressure paid off: Congress passed the 19th Amendment in June 1919, and it was ratified on August 26, 1920.

How's that for a masterclass in brilliant and principled protest?

Mary Ann Shadd was born on 09.October.1823 in Delaware to free Black parents. Because Black children were not allowed to be educated in Delaware, her parents moved the family to Pennsylvania. Mary attended a Quaker boarding school and upon graduation, became a teacher. When Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, Mary and her family left the US for Canada.

While in Canada, Mary founded The Provincial Freeman newspaper, becoming the 1st Woman publisher in Canada. She eventually returned to the US, earning a law degree from Howard University and thrusting herself into the Suffrage movement alongside Susan B Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. In January 1874, Mary made HERstory by addressing the House Judiciary Committee as part of a group of Suffrage Women petitioning for the right to vote.

✈️🔥 HERstory at 30,000 Feet. In March 2011, Maj. Christine Mau and an all-Women crew of F-15E Strike Eagles, call sign Dudette 07, took off on the first-ever combat mission fully planned, maintained, & flown by Women. They didn’t just fly, they delivered critical close air support for coalition & Afghan ground forces, proving once again: when Women lead, missions soar.

💪✨

1. In April 1913, just weeks after organizing the historic Woman Suffrage Procession in Washington, D.C. 🏛️🎉, Alice Paul and Lucy Burns founded the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage (CUWS) ✊♀️. Their goal was bold and unapologetically feminist: to push Congress toward passing a federal amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote. Unlike more cautious suffrage organizations of the time, Paul and her allies rejected a state-by-state strategy. They recognized that Women’s equality required sweeping federal change 💪⚖️, and they were willing to confront power directly to get it 🔥.

2. The Congressional Union’s tactics were militant for the era, including parades, pickets, and constant pressure 🎺📢. They openly challenged the Democratic Party for blocking suffrage and were unafraid to call out politicians by name, a move that scandalized the more conservative National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). This defiance 💥 eventually split the movement, but it also sharpened its edge.

3. From a feminist perspective, the CUWS embodied a radical truth: Women did not have to wait politely for equality; they could demand it, disrupt for it, and refuse to be sidelined 💃🔥✊. Alice Paul and the CUWS helped redefine activism itself, laying the groundwork for the National Woman’s Party and, ultimately, the 19th Amendment.

In Aug of 1974, Linda Cox graduated from the USAF Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) School, making herstory by becoming the military’s 1st woman bomb technician. BOOM!

The Congressional Union’s tactics were militant for the era—parades, pickets, and constant pressure 🎺📢🪧. They openly challenged the Democratic Party 🏛️ for blocking suffrage and were unafraid to call out politicians by name 🙅♀‍️📣—a move that scandalized the more conservative National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). This defiance 💥 eventually split the movement, but it also sharpened its edge ✨.

On 01.06.2014. Janet Yellen made herstory when she was confirmed as the 1st chairWOMAN of the US Federal Reserve. Yes she was!

💪🔥 Sylvia Mendez: The Girl Who Took On Segregation — And Won Imagine being just 8 years old and helping knock down racist school rules. That’s exactly what Sylvia Mendez did. ⚡️ Back in the 1940s, Sylvia and thousands of other Mexican-American kids in California were forced to go to separate, run-down schools just because of their heritage. 🚫✏️ Sylvia’s parents, Gonzalo and Felicitas, weren’t having it. They teamed up with other families and sued four school districts in a case called Mendez v. Westminster. ⚖️️ The odds were stacked against them. Schools claimed Hispanic kids “couldn’t speak English.” 🙄 But Sylvia and other kids proved that was just an excuse to shut them out. Sylvia’s family and their community fought hard, and they won. 🏆 California had to desegregate its schools, paving the way for the whole country.

On January 19, 1948, Sylvia and her siblings were finally allowed to attend the all-white 17th Street Elementary School. But it wasn’t easy. She faced cruel words and ugly stares. But she didn’t back down because she knew her family had fought too hard for her to quit. 💥 She stayed strong and opened doors for thousands who came after her.

Sylvia Mendez reminds us: Real change doesn’t come easy — but it starts when ordinary people stand up and say “NO MORE.” 🔥🙌

On 01.17.64, Michelle Robinson was born. You may know her as Michelle Obama. On 01.20.09, Michelle made HERstory by becoming the 1st Black Woman to serve as First Lady of the US. Not to dismiss her other accomplishments, though. Grad of Princeton AND Harvard Law... and her personal favorite - Mom to two strong young daughters. YES! ♀️♀️

On 01.20.2021, Amanda Gorman made HERstory by becoming the youngest poet (22!) to read at a US presidential inauguration. Amanda is an American poet, author, & activist. Her work focuses on issues of oppression, feminism, race, & marginalization.

Shatter those glass ceilings!

🌎✨ On 01.23.1997, Madeleine Albright made HERstory as the first Woman ever sworn in as U.S. Secretary of State. Yes she did! 🙌💥 She cracked the highest glass ceiling in American diplomacy, proving that foreign policy isn’t just an old boys’ club. 💪🌟 Just call her Madam Secretary and watch the world take notes!

On January 24, 1972, Gloria Steinem strutted into the National Press Club and made HERstory—earning a standing ovation with a speech that lit the place on fire 🔥 (figuratively... but we wouldn't be mad either way).

Let’s rewind for a sec: from 1908 to 1955, women reporters were completely banned from NPC events. That’s right—zero access, zero voice. When they were finally let in? They weren’t exactly welcomed. They were told to pack their own brown-bag lunches (seriously), sit in the balcony, and stay quiet. Meanwhile, the men? Lounging in the ballroom, feasting and firing off questions like they owned the place.

But Gloria? She wasn’t having any of that.

Her speech wasn’t just powerful—it was a massive "We’re done playing nice" moment. A mic-drop heard 'round the press world.

💥 This was a turning point. It was about demanding seats at the table—not in the balcony, not with brown bags, but in the ballroom, with voices heard loud and clear.

Because when Women speak, the world damn well better listen. 🎤 ♀️♀️♀️

🏈✨ On 02.02.2020, Katie Sowers made HERstory as the first Woman, and openly gay Woman, to coach an NFL team in the Super Bowl (go 49ers!). Yes, she did! 🙌🔥 Katie didn’t just crack the boys’ club, she suited up, called the plays, and showed the world that the gridiron isn’t just for men.

💪🏽🌈 Here’s to breaking barriers, one touchdown at a time!

On 02.03.1821, Elizabeth Blackwell was born in Bristol, England. Elizabeth made HERstory by becoming the 1st woman to earn a medical degree in the US. Just call her "DR."

💼 FRANCES PERKINS (1880–1965) 🔥 Trailblazer. Reformer. The Woman Who Built the New Deal. On March 4, 1933, Frances Perkins shattered one of America’s toughest glass ceilings when she became the first Woman ever to serve in a U.S.

presidential cabinet as Secretary of Labor under Franklin D. Roosevelt.

A fierce advocate for working people, Perkins was the driving force behind Social Security, the minimum wage, the 40-hour workweek, and unemployment insurance, all cornerstones of American labor rights that still protect millions today.

At a time when Women’s voices were routinely dismissed, Frances Perkins spoke truth to power and rewrote the rules of public service. Her legacy proves that when Women lead, nations transform.

💪 #HERstory | ⚖️️ #WomenInPower | 💼 #FrancesPerkins | 🔥 #FeministIcons

Kate Sheppard: The Woman Who Made HERstory in New Zealand Kate Sheppard was a fearless force for change and the leading voice of New Zealand’s Women’s suffrage movement. Born in Liverpool, England, on 10.March.1848, Kate emigrated to New Zealand in 1868—and wasted no time making an impact.

As a prominent leader in the Women’s Christian Temperance Union New Zealand (WCTU NZ), Kate used her position as National Superintendent for Franchise and Legislation to champion Women's right to vote. Her tireless advocacy and strategic leadership made her the most renowned suffragist in the country’s history.

Thanks to her efforts, New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world to grant Women the right to vote in national elections—paving the way for equality movements around the globe.

Kate didn’t just make history—she made HERstory.

♀️♀️♀️ Kate Sheppard Didn’t Ask for Change—She Demanded It. 🔥 Kate Sheppard wasn’t here to play nice—she was here to make noise and make history. She didn’t just advocate for suffrage—she made it impossible to ignore. With bold petitions, packed public meetings, and nonstop press campaigns, Kate turned up the volume on Women’s rights and refused to turn it down.

As editor of The White Ribbon—New Zealand’s first Woman-run newspaper—she used her pen like a sword, cutting through the noise with fiery pamphlets like Ten Reasons Why the Women of New Zealand Should Vote and Should Women Vote? Spoiler alert: YES, THEY SHOULD. And thanks to Kate, they did.

She dropped a 30,000-signature mic on Parliament’s desk and didn’t flinch. The result? In 1893, New Zealand became the first

On 03.17.72, a young lady named Mia Hamm was born. Mia earned the title ”US Soccer Female Athlete of the Year” 5 times in a row, and was the 1st woman inducted into the World Football Hall of Fame. She kicks like a girl… try and keep up.

On 03.24.2002, Halle Berry made HERstory by becoming the 1st Black Woman to win the Best Actress Academy Award for her performance in Monster's Ball. Yes, she did!

🦋 MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN (1647–1717) 🎨 The Butterfly Woman. Artist. Scientist. Rule Breaker. Before Women could vote, travel freely, or even be taken seriously in science, Maria Sibylla Merian (born 04.02.1647) was out in the world documenting life itself. Born in Germany, she became one of the first European naturalists to observe insects directly and record their life cycles with unmatched precision and artistry.

In 1705, she published her groundbreaking Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, a dazzling collection of 60 hand-painted illustrations capturing tropical insects, plants, and animals in their full ecological glory. Her work stunned Europe, laying the foundation of modern ecology and inspiring generations of scientists and artists alike.

At a time when Women were confined to household duties, Merian funded her own expeditions, built her own business, and turned her passion into independence. Goethe himself said she moved “between art and science”, and she did so with wings of her own making.

💪 #HERstory | 🦋 #WomenInScience | 🎨 #MariaSibyllaMerian | 🌿 #FeministIcons

On 04.02.74, Tatum O’Neal made HERstory by becoming the youngest person (and Girl!) to win the Academy Award for her work in Paper Moon - she was 10. WOW!

On 04.17.18, Tammie Jo Shults made HERstory by safely landing a Boeing 737 after an engine exploded, saving 149 people.

Tammie was one of the US Navy's 1st women fighter pilots. Fly on!

On 04.19.67, 20-year-old Kathrine Switzer made HERstory when she became the 1st woman to officially run in the Boston Marathon, even as race officials tried to physically stop her. She signed her entry form “K. V. Switzer” to obtain a number. By her own estimate, Switzer finished the race in 4:20:00. You can't catch me!

On 05.04.79, Margaret Thatcher was sworn in as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the 1st woman to hold that position. Just call her the "Iron Lady."

Inspired by Victoria Woodhull who ran for President—Before It Was Even “Allowed” 💅 On May 10, 1872, Victoria Woodhull said, “Why wait for permission?” and ran for President of the United States—becoming the first Woman ever to do it. She didn’t just break the rules—she rewrote the playbook as the Equal Rights Party’s fierce, unapologetic candidate. 💥 This was 48 years before Women could even vote—so yeah, iconic doesn’t even begin to cover it. She paved the way for every Woman who’s dared to dream bigger, run harder, and speak louder.

Victoria didn’t just make HERstory—she made the future possible. 👑 ♀️♀️♀️

On 15.May.1869, Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony boldly shaped HERstory by founding the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA). As trailblazers, they relentlessly fought for a constitutional amendment to secure Women's suffrage, demanded equal pay for Women, & championed a wide range of critical Women's rights issues. Their commitment to justice & equality set the stage for a powerful movement that forever changed the landscape of Women's rights.

On 05.16.75, Junko Ishibashi, along with her Sherpa guide Ang Tsering, made HERstory by becoming the 1st woman to reach the summit of Mt Everest. Climb on!

✈️️✨ On 05.20.1932, Amelia Earhart made HERstory as the first Woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic. Fly on! 🌊💪🏽 Amelia was also the first Woman to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, because the sky was never the limit for her! 🌟 She didn’t just break records. Amelia inspired generations of Women to dream bigger and fly higher. 🚀✨

On 05.26.09, Sonia Sotomayor made HERstory as the 1st Latina Woman nominated (and later confirmed) to the U.S. Supreme Court, embodying the power of determination & breaking barriers for future generations. Yes!

On 06.18.1983, Sally Ride made HERstory as America's first woman (and gay woman) in space. Fly on!

On 06.19.1872, Beatrix Cadwalader Farrand was born, making her mark as a trailblazer for Women in landscape architecture. As the only Woman among the 11 founding members of the American Society of Landscape Architects, she demonstrated that Women can dig, too.

Betty Skelton: Buckle Up, Y’all. Betty Was Born to Break Barriers (and Speed Limits). 🏁🔥✈️ On 06.28.1926, the world got a whole lot faster when Betty Skelton—aka The First Lady of Firsts—was born. This trailblazer didn’t just dip her toes into male-dominated industries... she kicked down the doors in a fireproof suit and aviators.

Let’s try to keep up: At age TWELVE, Betty made her first solo flight—illegally, because rules? She didn’t care.

She became the first Woman to pull off an “inverted ribbon cut”, flying upside down, 10 feet off the ground, and slicing a ribbon midair with her plane’s propeller. Who does that?! Oh right—Betty. 💅✈️ Fast forward to 1954, she became the first Woman test driver for the auto industry.

Then the first Woman boat jumper in the U.S. (because why not add water stunts to the résumé?).

In 1956, she shattered a transcontinental speed record, and in 1957, she became the first Woman to drive the Pace Car at the legendary Daytona 500. 🏎️💨 And that’s just the tip of the checkered flag.

Aviation. Auto Racing. Astronautics. Betty didn’t just enter the race—she left the boys choking on her dust.

Drive on, fly high, and slay forever, Betty. HERstory sees you. 💋👩✈️🚀

💃🏾✨ On 06.30.2015, Misty Copeland made HERstory as the first Black woman promoted to Principal Ballerina at the legendary American Ballet Theatre. Take that, glass ceilings — and watch Misty dance right over you! 🩰🔥 She didn’t just break barriers — she pirouetted through them, proving that brilliance, strength, and grace know no color. 👑✨

🔬 Dr. Sabrina Spencer Made HERstory 💥 On 01.Jul.2018, Sabrina Spencer, PhD made HERstory when she secured a highly competitive Grant from the American Cancer Society. But, she didn’t just win a grant; she shattered ceilings. By securing the fiercely competitive Research Scholar Grant from the American Cancer Society, she launched a groundbreaking mission: to decode how cancer cells divide and, more importantly, how to STOP them.

Her vision is unapologetically bold and laser-focused: developing strategies that shut down cancer’s growth and blaze a trail toward a cure. 🧬🔥 But this achievement is more than scientific success. It’s a radical reminder of what happens when Women lead with brilliance, courage, and unstoppable determination. Dr. Spencer isn’t just studying cancer. She’s working to SLAY it. ⚔️💪 This is HERstory in motion. This is what redefining SHE looks like.

Dr. Spencer’s achievement is more than a milestone in science. It’s a powerful reminder of what happens when Women lead with brilliance, courage, & determination. She’s not just studying cancer. She’s working to slay it.

🎨🔥 HERstory on Canvas: Born 07.06.1907, Frida Kahlo turned tragedy into timeless art. After nearly dying in a bus accident at 18, she painted self-portraits from her bed using a mirror her father hung above her.

She made HERstory as the first Mexican artist featured in the Louvre, but she didn’t stop there. 💪 Frida was also a fierce feminist who challenged gender norms, proudly embraced her identity, and inspired generations of Women to own their stories -

Mary McLeod Bethune was born on 10.July.1875. Although born to parents who were formerly enslaved, Mary rose high to become one the most important Black educators, civil and Women's rights leaders of the twentieth century. Mary started the Daytona Beach Literary and Industrial School for Training Negro Girls, eventually merging with Cookman Institute to form Bethune-Cookman College in 1929. Mary was a trusted advisor to both Eleanor Roosevelt and her husband, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. President Roosevelt appointed Mary as the Director of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration in

Born to Raise Hell (and Raise Votes): Emmeline Pankhurst 💥💄✊ On 15.July.1858 (yes, we checked the birth certificate), Emmeline Pankhurst entered the world—and lucky for us, she came ready to shake the system.

By fourteen, while most teens were worried about homework, Emmeline was already diving into the Women’s Suffrage Movement. And by 1903, she said, “Enough talk!” and founded the Women’s Social & Political Union (WSPU)—aka the boldest, baddest squad fighting for Women’s right to vote. 💅💪 Emmeline didn’t just attend rallies. She led them, sparked national outrage, got arrested, and never stopped pushing until Women’s voices were heard at the ballot box. She made HERstory on repeat and paved the damn way for every vote we cast today.

And let’s just take a moment for one of her all-time greatest mic drops: “Trust in God – She will provide.” 👏👏👏 Power. Poise. Protest. That was Emmeline. And we’re still walking the path she kicked open in heels.

On 07-21-1971, the brilliant Sara Seager was born. Sara always had an intense love of stars & bought her 1st telescope when she was 16. She is a MIT Professor known for her work on exosolar planets. Sara coined the phrase “gas dwarf” to describe high mass, super-Earth planets with atmospheres that are mostly hydrogen & helium.

Beatrix Potter - She Wasn’t Just Drawing Rabbits—She Was Breaking Rules & Building Empires. 🐰💼👑 Born on 07.28.1866, Beatrix Potter came into the world ready to flip the script. Before Women could even vote, she was already shaking things up with her sharp mind and serious love for botany. But surprise, surprise—the boys’ club said “no thanks” to a Woman wanting a career in science.

So what did Beatrix do? She pivoted, plotted, and published. In 1902, The Tale of Peter Rabbit bounced onto the scene, and the world has never been the same. That one book turned into a 20-title literary empire. And sis wasn’t just a writer—she was a boss- level entrepreneur. In 1903, she patented the Peter Rabbit doll, becoming one of the first to cash in on literary merch. 📚💸 But wait—she wasn’t done. Beatrix flipped her fortune into farmland and became a certified sheep queen, championing Herdwick sheep like the icon she was. In 1943, she made HERstory again as the first Woman President of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders’ Association.

Writer. Illustrator. Scientist. Businesswoman. Farmer. Trailblazer.

Beatrix didn’t just tell stories—she rewrote the rules. TAKE. THAT. 🔥🐑💥

✨ GRETA GERWIG ✨ 🎬 Writer. Director. Trailblazer. Feminist Force. Greta Gerwig (born on 08.04.1983) is an American actress, screenwriter, and film director. She has been rewriting HERstory and smashing ceilings with every frame she films. From Lady Bird to Little Women to the cultural juggernaut Barbie, Gerwig has turned female-driven storytelling into a global phenomenon.

💥 In 2018, she became the first Woman in eight years (and only the fifth ever) to be nominated for Best Director at the Academy Awards.

💗 In 2023, she became the first Woman to solely direct a $1 billion blockbuster with Barbie.

🌍 She’s also the first American Woman to serve as Jury President at the Festival de Cannes, and the first female director with three films nominated for Best Picture.

Greta Gerwig isn’t just making movies, she’s making HERstory.

Kamala Harris has achieved remarkable milestones in her career! After earning her law degree, she worked as a deputy district attorney in Oakland, California, from 1990-1998 and became the district attorney in 2004. In 2010, she made HERstory as the 1st Woman & 1st Black American elected as California's attorney general. In January 2017, Harris joined the U.S. Senate, becoming the first Indian American & only the 2nd Black American Woman to do so. She also made HERstory as the 1st Black Woman on a major party’s national ticket & the 1st Black Woman elected VP of the United States. On 05.Aug.2024, she earned the distinction of being the 1st Black Woman & the 1st Asian American to secure a major party’s presidential nomination in U.S.

history. How's THAT for making HERstory!

He tried to silence her. Instead, she changed the law.

Maria da Penha, a Brazilian bio-pharmacist, survived horrific abuse at the hands of her husband — abuse that left her paralyzed.

But he didn’t break her. She turned her pain into power.

💥 On 08.07.2006, Maria made HERstory when Brazil enacted the Law Maria da Penha, a groundbreaking law that strengthened protections for women and cracked down on domestic violence with tougher penalties and specialized courts.

She didn’t just survive — she sparked a movement.

That’s power. That’s justice. That’s HERstory.

On 08.09.1890, Fay Fuller made HERstory by becoming the 1st Woman to reach the summit of Mt Ranier. If you visit Mt Ranier National Park, hike to Fay Peak to feel a bit of Fay's spirit. Fay Peak, named in honor of Fay Fuller, is a double-summit mountain within the Park. BTW... Fay climbed Mt Ranier a 2nd time on 07.27.1897. Climb on, girl!

On 08.19.1883, Coco Chanel was born. She was a French fashion designer and savvy businesswoman. Coco made HERstory in 1921 when she introduced her Chanel No. 5 perfume, making it the 1st perfume to be sold worldwide. The founder and namesake of the Chanel brand, she was credited in the post-World War I era with popularizing a sporty, casual chic as the feminine standard of style, replacing the "corseted silhouette" that was dominant beforehand.

(No more corsets... YES!)

✨ SARAH FRANCES WHITING (08.23.1847) 🔭 Physicist. Astronomer. Educator. Pioneer for Women in Science. In an era when Women were barred from most scientific spaces, Sarah Frances Whiting boldly stepped into the lab and made HERstory. As one of the first American Women physicists, she transformed Wellesley College into a hub of scientific discovery, inspiring generations of Women to reach for the stars.

In 1880, she began teaching astronomy, mentoring trailblazers like Annie Jump Cannon. By 1895, Whiting made the first X-ray photographs in the United States, proving that Women were not just observers of science, they were driving it forward.

She later became the first Woman to attend physics classes at MIT and the first director of the Whitin Observatory (built in 1900).

Sarah Frances Whiting didn’t just study the cosmos, she expanded the universe of possibility for Women everywhere.

💫 #HERstory | 🔬 #WomenInSTEM | 🌌 #SarahFrancesWhiting | 💪 #FeministIcons

On 08.23.1890, Hazel Schmoll was born. Hazel was an American botanist who made HERstory a couple of times. Hazel was the 1st woman to earn a doctorate degree in botany from the University of Chicago. The year was 1932 & it was a time when most people still thought a woman's primary focus should be finding & marrying rather than pursuing an education (sadly, 'tis true!) Hazel made HERstory a 2nd time when she became the 1st person to conduct a systematic study of plant life in southwestern Colorado. Google "astragalus schmolliae", aka "Schmoll's milkvetch." The lady was a wonder!

On 09.01.2008, 11-yr old Malala Yousafzai made HERstory by accompanying her father to a local press club in Peshawar to protest school closings. She gave her 1st speech — “How Dare the Taliban Take Away My Basic Right to Education?” Malala is a Pakistani Pashtun activist for female education & the youngest Nobel Prize laureate. If one Girl can change the world, imagine what two Girls can do.

On 09.07.93, Joycelyn Elders made HERstory by becoming the U.S. Surgeon General. As the 1st Black Woman & the 2nd Woman ever to achieve this remarkable milestone, she stands as a testament to the power of determination & breaking barriers.

Just call her "Dr."

On 09.10.82, Misty Copeland was born. In 2015, Misty made HERstory by becoming the 1st Black American woman to be promoted to principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. Twirl on!

On 09.12.92, Mae C. Jemison made HERstory by becoming the 1st Black woman astronaut in space as a crew member on the space ship Endeavour. Fly on!

⚖️🔥 HERstory on the Bench: On 09.21.1981, Sandra Day O’Connor made HERstory as the first Woman ever confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court. YES! 👏 💪 Fun fact: She often broke the tie in major cases on Women’s rights, proving just how powerful it is to have Women at the table where the big decisions get made. 🌟

On 09.23.19, Greta Thunberg made HERstory by addressing world leaders at the 2019 UN Climate Summit in NYC. She passionately addressed climate issues with her "How Dare You!" speech. Say it!

✈️️✨ On 09.26.1973, Capt Lorraine Potter made HERstory as the first Woman ever to serve as a U.S. Air Force Chaplain.

🙌💥 When she first applied, they told her only men could do the job, but a few weeks (and a whole lot of righteous persistence) later, that outdated rule was toast. (Why did it take so long?) Capt Potter stepped up, claimed the title, and proved faith, service, and leadership have no gender limit. Praise be! 🚀👏

On 09.30.1832, Ann Jarvis (Reeves) was born. Ann made HERstory by establishing the Mothers’ Day Work Clubs in her Appalachian communities to improve health & sanitary conditions. Due to diseases like measles & unsanitary living conditions, infant & childhood death were high. Ann’s clubs raised money to buy medicine, create inspection processes for milk, & provide education to families about improving health & sanitation. Ann always wanted a single day set aside to honor Mothers. In 1914, thanks to her daughter, Anna, & Pres Woodrow Wilson, her wish came true. The Pres signed a resolution for a national Mother’s Day. Mommas ROCK!

On 10.07.20, Kamala Harris made HERstory by becoming the 1st Black woman to debate in a televised US VP debate. After continually being interrupted, Kamala famously stated to the VP, "Mr. VP, I’m still speaking."

On 10-20-1964, Kamala Devi Harris was born. In Jan 2021, Kamala made HERstory by becoming the 1st female VP of the USA.

In 2016, she was the 1st African & S Asian American to serve in the US Senate. She ROCKS… yes, she does.

On 10.20.2021, Sara Blakely closed a deal with an all-Woman team at Blackstone to sell her majority stake in Spanx, making her a billionaire (again.) Sara commented, “I will remain a significant shareholder and continue to help the business fulfill its greatest potential, as well as continue to fulfill my greatest passion—elevating women.” The investors included Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon. Not a bad team to be on. ♀️♀️♀️

On 23.Oct.1915, more than 25,000 Women marched up Fifth Avenue in New York City, demanding the right to vote. It was the largest Women’s march the city had ever seen—bold, unapologetic, and impossible to ignore.

The New York Times responded with a warning: "If Women are granted the suffrage, they will demand all the rights that implies. It is not possible to think of Women as soldiers, police patrolmen, or firemen." Yes, that was printed.

Yes, they said the quiet part out loud.

Yes, we’ve come a long way—but there’s still more to fight for.

Let’s remember the power of collective action—and the courage it takes to demand the rights we deserve.

♀️♀️♀️

Susan B. Anthony Showed Up. Voted. Got Arrested. ICONIC. 🗳🔥 On 11.05.1872, Susan B. Anthony and 14 fierce women strutted into the polling booth and made HERstory by casting their votes in the Presidential election—even though it was illegal for women to vote under New York state law. And guess what? Susan got arrested. 🙄 But did that stop her? Ohhh no, darling. That just fueled the fire.

Susan and her badass ballot-casting crew weren’t just rebels—they were revolutionaries. Their bold defiance cracked the system and ignited the fight that would eventually win all Women the right to vote.

They pushed boundaries. They got pushed back.

And still—they. rose. 💪🔥👑 Thanks, Susan. We’ll take it from here.

On 11.08.1873, Ellen Swallow Richards, the 1st woman admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), made HERstory by graduating with her BS degree. She later became MIT's 1st woman instructor. Who said men were smarter than women? Not true...

🎉 On 11.14.1954, Condoleezza Rice was born.

She made HERstory in 2005 as the first Black woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State. Just call her “Madam Secretary.” 👑 Fun Fact: Before making diplomacy look effortless, she was an accomplished concert pianist who once performed with Yo-Yo Ma! 🎹✨

On 11.19.1917, Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi was born. She was the first and, to date, only Woman Prime Minister of India. In a 1952 letter to a friend, Indira wrote, "I am in no sense a feminist, but I believe in Women being able to do everything ...”

Inspired by Shirley Chisholm: Unbought, Unbossed, and Unstoppable Born on November 30, 1924, Shirley Chisholm didn’t just break barriers—she smashed them in heels and with a mic drop. 💥 She was the first Black Woman elected to the U.S. Congress, the first Black person to run for a major-party presidential nomination, and the first Woman to seek the Democratic Party's nod for President. Trailblazer? That doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Shirley once said, “I want to be remembered as a Woman… who dared to be a catalyst for change.” Well guess what? She wasn’t just a catalyst—she was the whole spark plug. 🔥 HERstory wouldn’t be the same without her. And neither would ours. ♀️👑✨

On 12.02.1846, Anna Bissell was born, & she confidently claimed her place in HERStory by becoming the first Woman CEO in American history when she took charge of the Bissell sweeper company in 1889. Woman Boss!

Bertha von Suttner: The OG Peace Queen. On December 10, 1905, Bertha von Suttner shattered ceilings and made HERstory as the first Woman ever awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and She didn’t stop there.

Back in 1889, Bertha dropped a literary bombshell with her book Lay Down Your Arms, becoming a powerhouse voice in the global peace movement. In a world where Women were expected to be “seen and not heard,” Bertha spoke loudly, and the world listened.

Writer. Activist. Barrier-breaker. She didn’t just talk about peace... She demanded it.

✨ Let there be peace. And let it start with fierce Women like Bertha. ✨

On 12.11.1879, Gertrude Weil was born. Gertie was the 1st woman from North Carolina to graduate from Smith College. During her life, Gertie did so much more! "Federation Gertie", as she was sometimes called, used her Jewish teachings to inspire her social activism, including women's suffrage. In 1911, Gertie joined the National American Woman Suffrage Association, fighting for federal law (19th Amendment) allowing women the right to vote. Gertie co-founded the Goldsboro Equal Suffrage Association in 1914 and became the association's first president. Gertie worked tirelessly gathering signatures and endorsements for the 19th Amendment. Despite her work and the passing of the 19th Amendment in 1920, Gertie's home state of North Carolina refused to ratify the amendment. (Tennessee cast the final needed vote.) It wasn't until 1971, just 24 days before Gertie dies, that North Carolina endorsed the 19th Amendment. You did it, Gertie!

On 12.21.1899, Christine Ross made HERstory by becoming the 1st woman CPA in the US. Christine took the CPA exam in June 1898 amidst controversy around whether women could become certified public accountants. Her certificate was delayed by more than a year simply because she was a woman. 'Tis true!

On 12.22.2013, Darcy Gaechter made HERstory as the first Woman to kayak the entire Amazon River from source to sea.

Battling brutal rapids, heat, & doubt, she didn’t just make it, she crushed it. Her journey wasn’t just for the record books; it was a megaphone to the world: Women can do hard things. Paddle like a girl? Hell yes. Girls paddle like warriors.♀️♀️

On 12.23.1870, Jessie Tarbox Beals was born. Jessie made HERstory in 1901 by becoming the 1st Woman staff photographer at a US newspaper, the Buffalo Inquirer. Jessie made a stir for her work at the World's Fair in 1904, where she took photos atop ladders and from hot-air balloons. When asked about being a Woman in a male-dominated profession, she said, "If one is the possessor of health and strength, a good news instinct ... a fair photographic outfit and the ability to hustle, which is the most necessary qualification, one can be a news photographer." Well said.