WHO'S THAT GIRL
Historical Biographies of Women who changed the world-here to show you that you can too!
Maud Gonne was a rebellious Irish actress, suffragette, and revolutionary. Serving as William Butler Yeats' muse, Maud was a free spirit who stood out from the crowd. However, she was much more than a muse, She used her influence to change the world. An Irish Patriot, Gonne founded the Daughters of Ireland and played a vital role in the revolution. Her strength and independence changed the world and
defied stereotypes.
Maud GONNE
1866-1953
Hannah Hoch was a German artist known for her unique works. Hoch was the only female member of the Berlin Dada movement. This meant she had to fight to even have her works displayed alongside her colleagues. She pioneered the art of photomontage. She shocked and intrigued her viewers and often took inspiration from fashion magazines and advertisements. She openly criticized the toxic and strict gender roles growing in 1920's Weimar Germany throughout her works. Hoch began to represent the "new woman," as she provided for herself, fighting societies' standards through all of her actions. Living in Nazi Germany, Hoch challenged Nazi ideals by creating art that emphasized imperfection and rebellion.
Hannah
Hoch
1889-1978
From the New York Public Library
https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e3-e691-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
Anna May Wong
Anna May Wong was a Chinese American actress, who broke down the extreme and limiting standards of Old Hollywood. Although she was often typecast, she found great success scoring leads alongside Marlene Dietrich. Her daring sense of style earned her the title of the "World's Best-Dressed Woman." Her excellent skill and talent made her one of the earliest pioneers for diversity in film. Today, we still work to defeat the whitewashing of the Hollywood, remembering the heroism of Wong.
1905-1961
Stefan Moses
1951-2012
June 18, 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman to travel into space. Ride had an unstoppable mind and eyes set on the stars. Originally planning on becoming a professional tennis player, Ride decided to stop playing tennis and attended Stanford university. At Stanford, she earned Bachelor degrees in both English and Physics. A doctoral candidate, she was working as a teacher's assistant in laser physics at Stanford when NASA selected her as one of the six future astronauts. She spent the rest of her life working as a Professor, for NASA, authoring books, and supporting and promoting young girls in science. An inspiration to many future astronauts and anyone trying to achieve what seems to be an impossible goal, Sally Ride is an icon.
Sally Ride
From the New York Public Library
https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/a251c207-ba4b-0d4c-e040-e00a18062469
Chuck Painter /Stanford News Service
Edmonia
Lewis
1844-1907
Edmonia Lewis is known as the first woman of African American and Native American decent to receive international recognition for her artwork. Orphaned at a young age, Lewis was raised by her Aunts. Lewis' brother financially supported her entrance into Oberlin college. She was sadly forced to leave, due to false accusations and a violent attack fueled by the racism she battled daily. After leaving school, she started sculpting in Boston. It was her works' success that allowed for her to travel to Rome, where her talents were able to flourish and became more and more appreciated. She continued working and sculpted beautiful Neoclassical-style pieces, which often portrayed abolitionist heroes. Today, she is remembered as both a great artist and warrior.
From the New York Public Library
https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-cdbe-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
Malala
Yousafazai
1997
At the age of 11, Malala began to speak out against the Taliban's sexist education policies in her home. She continued to petition for girls' rights to education, gaining awards and praise for her bravery and eloquence. When she was 15, she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman on her way home from school. She miraculously survived, proving to be a fighter once again. Now, the youngest recipient of the Nobel peace prize, award winning activist, author, and survivor, Malala continues to fight for women and girls education across the globe.
Nellie
bly
1864-1922
Elizabeth Jane Cochran, better known as Nellie Bly, was a journalist who defied expectations. She famously traveled around world in 72 days to emulate the popular Jules Verne novel. She also went undercover to reveal the treacherous conditions faced by the women in a mental asylum. Her creative and innovative qualities made her a powerful inventor, charity worker, and amazing writer. Bly redefined society's view of women and paved the way for future female trailblazers.
Mark Tucker
Eartha Kitt
1927-2008
Eartha Kitt was an inspiring actress, singer, comedian, activist, and dancer. From singing Christmas classics to portraying Cat Woman on tv, it seemed there was nothing she couldn't do. She faced criticism and negativity, after she openly criticized America's involvement in the Vietnam war. However, she regained popularity and her acting career took off once again. She was a bold and talented actress who made great strides for African American women in entertainment, while speaking her mind and raising her voice.
From the New York Public Library
https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47dd-b199-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
From the New York Public Library
https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e4-06a0-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
Hedy Lamarr
1913-2000
Hedy Lamarr was a talented actress, style icon, and amazing inventor. Renown for her beauty, it is Lamarr's amazingly inventive mind and intelligence that have shaped our world. During WWII, Lamarr used her gift to invent technology that minimized the jamming of radio signals. This invention makes cellphone technology and modern life possible. Without Hedy's often overlooked contributions, our world would not be the same.
From the New York Public Library
https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47df-0eca-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
This information was gathered on Britannica.com and PBS.org .