HERstory: 12 women who changed history

From activists to the first woman truck driver; a short remembrance of history written by women

History is also shaped by women. The struggles, achievements, and dedication of each of them have laid fundamental foundations for society as we know it today. On International Women’s Day, we honor 12 women who have left an indelible mark on history, opening doors for other women and serving as inspiration in various ways.

Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks’ courage sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, becoming a pivotal catalyst in ending legal segregation. Parks was a prominent leader in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s. She persevered in her activism until her passing in 2005, leaving a lasting legacy.

Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart, the first woman pilot to cross the Atlantic Ocean in 1932, transformed the aviation world with her bravery and determination. Despite her disappearance while attempting to fly around the world in 1937, her groundbreaking achievements remain undeniable.

Malala Yousafzai

At just 11 years old, Malala Yousafzai began her advocacy for girls’ education in Pakistan. Her activism led to an assassination attempt years later. Despite this, Malala continued her courageous fight, becoming a voice for young women worldwide. In 2014, she became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Marie Curie

Marie Curie became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 for her groundbreaking discoveries on radioactivity and X-rays. In 1911, she received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her revolutionary work with the elements polonium and radium.

Sally Ride

Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, achieved this milestone in 1983, inspiring women everywhere. Before this, she stood out among over 1,000 applicants in NASA’s astronaut program. Ride passed away in 2012 at the age of 61.

Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman, an escaped slave turned abolitionist, led dozens of slaves to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Her courageous actions helped liberate over 300 individuals from slavery during her 19 trips from the South to the North.

Susan B. Anthony

Susan B. Anthony, co-founder of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, tirelessly fought for gender equality and women’s suffrage. Though she didn’t witness her dream come true, her efforts laid the groundwork for the eventual approval of women’s suffrage in the United States in 1906, fourteen years after her death.

Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo was a prominent Mexican painter of the 20th century, known for her originality, use of symbols, and the popular aesthetics of Mexico. Her work is characterized by its intimate depth and the way she openly shared her physical and emotional wounds with the world, demonstrating great generosity and simplicity.

Hedy Lamarr

Hedy Lamarr, fue una ingeniera que optó por seguir una carrera como actriz en Hollywood. Durante el estallido de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, ofreció sus servicios al Gobierno de Estados Unidos y contribuyó al desarrollo de un sistema de detección de torpedos teledirigidos. Este método, hoy en día se utiliza en sistemas de posicionamiento por satélite como el GPS, fue un precursor del Wi-Fi.

Greta Thunberg

Greta Thunberg a los 15 años se convirtió en una destacada activista medioambiental comprometida con abordar el problema del cambio climático. En 2018, fundó el movimiento conocido como Viernes por el Futuro (también llamado Huelga Escolar por el Clima). Además de su incansable labor medioambiental, Thunberg se esfuerza por concienciar sobre el Asperger y servir de inspiración para quienes padecen este trastorno.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt, destacada humanitaria y diplomática, fue la esposa del Presidente Franklin D. Roosevelt. Se desempeñó como Presidenta de la Comisión de Derechos Humanos de la ONU, desempeñando un papel fundamental en la redacción de la Declaración Universal de Derechos Humanos en 1948.

Luella Bates

En 1918, Luella Bates se unió a un grupo de 150 mujeres contratadas por Four Wheel Drive Auto Co. (FWD) en Clintonville, Wisconsin. Fue reconocida como la primera mujer conductora de camiones comerciales con licencia, desafiando los roles de género en el siglo XX. Bates no solo manejaba camiones, sino que también se desempeñaba como mecánica e inspectora de vehículos.