She was the first Jewish woman appointed to the Supreme Court, the second female appoint to the high court. Known for standing up for gender equality and civil rights.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
She is an 18-time Grammy winner. She was the first female artist to ever be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (Natural woman, Amazing Grace, RESPECT)
Aretha Franklin
She was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize and is the only person to ever win the Nobel Prize in two different sciences, Chemistry and Physics.
Marie Curie
She was nominated for 13 Primetime Emmy awards, winning 5. She has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Best known for her show following her and her husband (in the show and in real life). She later went on to become the first woman to own a major studio. (I Love Lucy, Yours, Mine, & Ours)
Lucille Ball
She became a symbol during the Civil Rights Movement, most known for refusing to give up her seat on a public bus. (She passed in 2005.)
Rosa Parks
She was the first black woman elected in Congress. Brooklyn born activist and political leader. First woman and black American to run for the Democratic presidential race.
Shirley Chisholm
A widely known jazz singer. She was the first African American to win a Grammy, ultimately collecting 2. (Someone to Watch, All of Me, Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love))
Ella Fitzgerald
An English mathematician credited with being the first computer programmer. She created the first description for computer software.
Ada Lovelace
Starting her career as a Nashville reporter later on her own talk show went national in 1986. In 2003, she was recognized as the first female African American billionaire. She has her own day time talk show, she owns her own network, and became an author. (OWN)
Oprah Winfrey
Harriet Tubman
First ever Hispanic woman to serve on the Supreme Court, elected in 2009.
Sonya Sotomayer
She is frequently referred to as the "Gospel Queen". She was one of the first artists to sing gospel music outside of the church. "Move On Up a Little Higher" sold 1 million copies in 1948. In 1997 she was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (Trouble of the World, Summertime, Go Tell It On The Mountain)
Mahalia Jackson
"Lady with the Lamp" she is considered to be the founder of modern day nursing. She is credited with opening the first science-based nursing school in 1860.
Florence Nightingale
She was the first and only black actress to win an Oscar for Best Actress, in the movie Monsters Ball in 2002. Since her success as a star, she moved into directing and producing so she could further push changes within the film industry for women and people of color. (X-Men, Gothika)
Halle Berry
Joan of Arc
The first woman to ever practice law in the US.
Belva Lockwood
Often referred to as the "Mother of Hip Hop". She produced the first rap record to be commercially successful. Created "Sugarhill Records" with her husband helping to kick off hip hops global rise. (Pillow Talk, Lay It on Me, How Long Must I Be Blue)
Sylvia Robinson
She was mostly known for her time on the big screen and beauty, but always had a love for science and research. She was the co-inventor of a radio signaling device during WW2. We still use this technology today in things like bluetooth, wifi, and GPS.
Hedy Lamarr
"The First Lady of Television", getting her debut in 1939. She became the first woman to produce a national TV show and star in a sitcom. She holds the Guiness World Record for longest TV career as a female entertainer spanning over 80 years. (Golden Girls and Life with Elizabeth)
Betty White
Maya Angelou
She was the first woman to ever serve in the presidential cabinet, appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Frances Perkins
Was part of the band "Fleetwood Mac" and eventually went on to become a solo artist. Referred to as "Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll". She was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice for different reasons, 1 with Fleetwood Mac and 2 as a solo artist. (Landslide, Dreams, Edge of Seventeen)
Stevie Nicks
She was the first American woman to go to space, beating out over 1,000 other applicants to NASA. She was an astrophysicist and graduated from Stanford University.
Sally Ride
"Best Actress of her generation", she is the most nominated actor in Golden Globes history. Later in her career, she has become a trailblazer fighting for more roles for women. A vocal leader for gender equality, speaking against sexism and ageism in Hollywood. She later went on to fund a writing school for women. (The Devil Wears Prada, Sophie's Choice, Mamma Mia!)
Meryl Streep
She shot into the spotlight after writing "The Bluest Eye" in 1970. She focused her writings on telling stories of black lives through poetic and intimate prose. She became the first black woman to win a Nobel Prize in literature. (The Song of Solomon, Beloved, Playing in the Dark)
Toni Morrison