March is the month in which we get to honor the history of women. Great women are easy to find when combing through history, but how much do you know about them? Of all the women recognized for being great, I have selected five that I believe everyone should learn more about. So in order to celebrate this truly awesome month, read up on these amazing women....
Eleanor Roosevelt
This longest-serving first lady of the United States was so much more than an American Politician. She made huge strides in redefining the role of women in the 1930’s and was an amazing human rights activist. Eleanor Roosevelt was controversial and outspoken. She fought for the minorities and the ones treated like second class citizens. When Roosevelt passed in 1962 she was recognized as "one of the most esteemed women in the world.” Eleanor Roosevelt is an important role model for men and women and the importance of her life should be emphasized always, especially during Women’s History Month.
Oprah Winfrey
Best known for her talk show, Oprah Winfrey is a modern women who has immense amounts of influence and knowledge. She is not only a talk show host, but a widely recognized philanthropist. Oprah is the face of those who came from nothing and made her life the best it could be. To many, Oprah is known as the most influential woman in the world. Oprah uses her multi-billions, her media time, and her power and influence to make the world a better place. in 2012, after donating $12 million to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, President Obama awarded Oprah with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Oprah Winfrey has taken huge steps towards bettering our world and she is an important example of Women with power who strives to benefit the human race.
Mother Teresa
Also known as Blessed Teresa, Mother Teresa is another woman who has positively influenced our world. Founder of Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa, with the help of 4,500 sisters, assisted those who suffered from AIDS/HIV, leprosy, tuberculosis and poverty. They also ran soup kitchens, orphanages, family clinics and schools. Mother Teresa was highly influential and constantly improved the lives of those around her. Although she was often highly criticized, Mother Teresa stuck with her beliefs and outwardly spoke against abortion and contraception. Even those who did not agree with her beliefs recognize her strength and immense faith in speaking out about what she believes. This Nobel Peace Prize winner sets a standard for women and her memory encourages women to speak their mind while also being kind and charitable.
Ellen DeGeneres
Talk show host and comedian, Ellen DeGeneres is another role model for men and women. She is an excellent example of a woman who has overcome challenges and is not afraid to speak her mind. After a mild depression from the media attention she received after coming out as a lesbian in 1997, Ellen has encouraged the acceptance and normalcy of all sexual orientations. Ellen, also, encourages others to follow in her “animal rights appreciation” footsteps through her blog, “Going Vegan with Ellen”. In 2004 “People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals” (PETA) named her Woman of the Year. Ellen DeGeneres is a woman who continues to strive towards influencing others positively through comedy and the media.
Anne Frank
Holocaust victim who became well-known through her journal of her experiences is the youngest woman on this list. Frank’s diary documenting her time spent hiding during World War II in Amsterdam is one of the world’s most famous books. Although she wrote about her time spent hiding, Frank also elaborated on family relationships, analyzed her belief in God and explored the nature of human rights. Dying at the age of only 16, Frank influenced the world through her writing while supplying us with a first hand description of how families suffered during the Holocaust.
