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Women’s History

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51 Famous Women in History Who Have Changed the World

From outer space to the Oscars stage, these trailblazers have left their mark.

By Janaya Wecker and Catherine Caruso
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preview for Marie Curie - Pioneering Scientist

Biography: Marie Curie

In 1903, Marie Curie became the first woman to win a Nobel prize, paving the way for future women in the field of science.

Feminist Suffragist Parade 1912 Photo

The Women Behind the 19th Amendment

bobby riggs squeezes billie jean kings flexed bicep as she holds a tennis ball in her hand, both look right of the camera and stand on a tennis court, riggs is caught talking and king smiles

Billie Jean King and the “Battle of the Sexes”

two people on stage with american flags in the background

10 Groundbreaking Women in U.S. Politics

frida kahlo sits on a table while wearing a floral head piece, large earrings, a plaid blouse and striped pants, she looks off to the right

14 Hispanic Women Who Have Made History

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Figures in Women’s History

kamala harris smiles at the camera as she stands behind a podium with microphones, she wears a blue suit jacket, white blouse and pearl necklace

Kamala Harris

alice ball in cap and gown

Alice Ball

gloria steinem

Gloria Steinem

simone biles smiles at the camera, she wears a black leotard with gemstones, a white hair ribbon, and a gold medal with a red, white, and blue lanyard

Simone Biles

sonia sotomayor wears her black supreme court justice robes, dangling pearl earrings, and red lipstick, she smiles at the camera, and her curly hair frames her face down to her neck

Sonia Sotomayor

Georgia O'Keefe

Georgia O'Keeffe

susan b anthony facing left of the camera in a black and white photo, she has a solemn expression on her face and her hair is pulled back into a low bun, she is wearing wire rimmed glasses and a fancy black satin dress with white and black lace detailing, a cameo brooch is attached to the dress collar

Susan B. Anthony

representative deb haaland

Deb Haaland

selena quintanilla holds a grammy award and smiles at the camera

Selena Quintanilla

florence nightingale

Florence Nightingale

oprah winfrey smiles for a camera at premiere event

Oprah Winfrey

ava duvernay

Ava DuVernay

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a woman wears a white tank top and visor as she looks up and smiles

Naomi Osaka

judy garland

Judy Garland

a woman stares at the camera, she wears a large pendant necklace and a blouse with a wide collar

Alice Paul

a woman stands in front of a marble structure and smiles slightly at the camera, she wears a silver sleeveless outfit

Venus Williams

mariah carey smiles at the camera, she wears a white lowcut dress and white sunglasses on her head

Mariah Carey

a woman in a white short sleeve dress with a collar smiles as she looks up to the left

Connie Francis

a woman with gray dreadlocks smiles at the camera, she wears a red knit sweater and silver earrings

Toni Morrison

cardi b poses for photos, she wears a black strapless gown with a deep v and a silver necklace, she clutches one hand to her chest

Cardi B

More Women to Make History

Malala Yousafzai Photo

9 Facts You May Not Know About Malala Yousafzai

Here are some interesting tidbits about the Children's education activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Alice Ball and 7 Female Scientists Whose Discoveries Were Credited to Men

Alice Ball and 7 Female Scientists Whose Discoveries Were Credited to Men

Jane Goodall with a chimpanzee in her arms, c. 1995

How Jane Goodall Became One of the World's Most Notable Scientists—Without a College Degree

maya angelou gestures while speaking in a chair during an interview at her home in 1978

5 Crowning Achievements of Maya Angelou

By Biography.com Editors
biographies of women, crying in h mart, leah remini, know my name, demi moore inside out, finding me, wild cheryl strayed, becoming michelle

The 10 Best Biographies Written by Women

By Amy Mackelden