Dorothy Arzner was a pioneer in the film industry, becoming one of the first women directors of feature films and the first woman to join the Directors Guild of America.
1897-1979
1823-1893
1953-
Shirley Chisholm was the first black congresswoman, and the first African-American woman to make a bid for the U.S. Presidency.
1924-2005
1892-1970
Dorothy Dandridge was an American actress and popular singer, and was the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.
1922-1965
1931-1992
1933-
Janet Guthrie was the first professional female race car driver to qualify and compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500.
1938-
Mary Lyon was an educator and founder of the first women’s college, which is now known as Mount Holyoke College.
1797-1849
Danica Patrick is a race car driver and has set several records for women drivers including becoming the first woman ever to lead the Indy 500.
1982-
1850-1935
1595-1617
Jeanette Rankin was the first woman to serve in the U.S. Congress. At that time, many women still didn't have the right to vote.
1880-1973
Mary Lou Retton is a retired champion gymnast who won gold, silver and bronze medals at the 1984 Olympics. She was featured on the Wheaties cereal box.
1968-
In 1983, astronaut and astrophysicist Sally Ride became the first American woman in space aboard the space shuttle Challenger.
1951-
1937-1995
1870-1942
1867-1940
1989-