Biographies generously sponsored by Susan D. Whiting.

Biographies

Every woman has a story.

"The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon."

-Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings

Women have always played an active role in history. Explore some of the historical women and contemporary newsmakers that continue to impact the world. New biographies are added regularly, so check back to discover inspiring new stories!

Featured Biographies

Poet and author Audre Lorde used her writing to shine light on her experience of the world as a Black lesbian woman and later, as a mother and person suffering from cancer.

Audre Lorde

One of the greatest tennis players of all time and a renowned advocate for women in sports and LGBTQ rights, Billie Jean King won 39 Grand Slam titles in her tennis career and led the fight for equal pay in tennis.

Billie Jean King

As a poet, writer, activist, organizer, legal theorist, and priest, Murray was directly involved in, and helped articulate, the intellectual foundations of two of the most important social justice movements of the twentieth century.

Pauli Murray

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Stacey Abrams

Abrams is now one of the most prominent African American female politicians in the United States.

Biography

Abigail Smith Adams

Abigail Adams was an early advocate for women's rights.

Biography

Jane Addams

A progressive social reformer and activist, Jane Addams was on the frontline of the settlement house movement and was the first American woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize.

Biography

Toshiko Akiyoshi changed the face of jazz music over her 60-year career. As one of few women and Asian musicians in the jazz world, Akiyoshi infused Japanese culture, sounds, and instruments into her music.

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Louisa May Alcott

Famed author Louisa May Alcott created colorful relatable characters in 19th century novels.

Biography

Sonita Alizadeh

At the age of 16, Sonita Alizadeh found out she was to be sold into marriage. Propelled to do something by this experience and the experiences of other women around her, the young Afghani woman turned to rap music.

Biography

June Almeida

June Almeida serves as a role model for determination and innovation. As the person to identify the first human coronavirus, scientists, and people all over the world, are indebted to her work.

Biography

Asieh Amini

Journalist and poet Asieh Amini is a leading voice in the campaign to end stoning and juvenile executions in Iran.

Biography

Maya Angelou

Poet, dancer, singer, activist, and scholar, Maya Angelou is a world-famous author. She is best known for her unique and pioneering autobiographical writing style.

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Susan B. Anthony

Susan B. Anthony was a champion of the temperance, abolition, and suffrage movements.

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Virginia Apgar

Dr. Virginia Apgar persevered beyond early 20th-century barriers to women in medicine to become a leading anesthesiologist and the first female full professor at Columbia University.

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Corazon Aquino

Corazon “Cory” Aquino went from a shy law school student, to the first female president of the Philippines.

Biography

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ruth Bader Ginsburg became the second woman, and first Jewish woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

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Josephine Baker

World renowned performer, World War II spy, and activist are few of the titles used to describe Josephine Baker.

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Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball was an American actress, pioneer in comedy, and businesswoman.

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Penelope Barker

Penelope Barker organized the Edenton Tea Party, the first recorded women’s political demonstration in America.

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Clara Barton

Clara Barton was an educator, humanitarian, and founder of the American Red Cross.

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Charlotta Spears Bass

Charlotta Spears Bass was a journalist, activist, and politician who fought for the civil rights of African Americans in the early and mid-20th century. She was also the first Black woman to run for vice president of the United States (1952).

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Daisy Bates

Bates' work with the NAACP transformed the Civil Rights Movement.

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Catharine Beecher

Catharine Esther Beecher was a nineteenth century teacher and writer who promoted equal access to education for women.