Happy International Women's Month! This month we are celebrating the women who have proven to be complete badasses in our history, as well as those in the present and this includes all women making their mark out there on the world. We all know the typical women we celebrate today like Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Harriet Tubman, and many more, but there are some pretty badass women in history that we haven't heard much about and they certainly deserve some recognition. So, here are some women who did some amazing things for the world.
1. Emmeline Pankhurst
Emmeline Pankhurst, the leader of the British women's suffrage movement pushing for women to gain the right to vote. Her political activism and her endless hardwork, eventually paid off when in 1918 women above the age of 30 (with restrictions) received the right to vote.
"We are here not because we are lawbreakers; we are here in our efforts to become lawmakers."
2. Hedy Lamarr
3. Kathrine Switzer
Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon and when the organizer of the marathon realized that a woman was running, he attempted to tackle her to the ground, but was pushed aside by the male runners behind her.
4. Marsha P. Johnson
During the Stonewall riots for LGBTQ rights, Marsha P. Johnson, a trans woman, established the first organization that provided housing for the homeless trans women and youth of New York City. Her activism changed the game for trans women and the LGBTQ community.
5. Victoria Woodhull
Victoria Woodhull was the first ever woman to run for president. In 1872, this women's suffragist decided to work against all of the odds and make a big change. Although her attempt at being the first women president was unsuccessful, she broke barriers for the future to come, leading more women to fight for women's voting rights in America.
6. Retta Scott
Retta Scott was the first ever female animator to work for Disney. Her work is featured in Dumbo, Bambi, and other popular Disney animated films.
7. Annie Lumpkin
Annie Lumpkin was an 18-year-old Freedom Rider, arrested during her fight to end segregation in the South. Freedom Riders faced extreme violence including bus bombings. These men and women showed extreme strength and perseverance throughout the Civil Rights Movement.
8. Helen Thomas
Helen Thomas was the first woman president of the White House Correspondent's Association, as well as the female member in general. She worked in press from Kennedy's presidency all the way until she died during Obama's presidency. She was very well known her firm interview style.
9. Dolores Huerta
Dolores Huerta, a civil rights activist of all trades, worked during the Vice Presidency of George H.W. Bush to peacefully protest his policies. The Dolores Huerta Foundation used their initiative to advocate for the rights of immigrants, as well as women's and LGBTQ rights.
10. Yuri Kochiyama
Yuri Kochiyama, a close confidante of Malcolm X, worked during the Civil Rights Movement advocating for Black and Asian American rights. Her father was arrested by the FBI just hours after Pearl Harbor and died in custody. Following the death of her father she became incredible passionate about the rights of citizens and reconnected with Malcolm and worked with Black nationalists groups for their rights. She also advocated for other issues such as Puerto Rican Independence and Japanese American redress.
