Biographies generously sponsored by Susan D. Whiting.

Biographies

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

Featured Biographies

Queen Lili‘uokalani was the last sovereign monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Queen Lili‘uokalani

Joyce Chen introduced Chinese food to the American public.

Joyce Chen

Janet Mock became the first transgender woman of color to write and direct an episode of television.

Janet Mock

As women around the world speak out against sexual harassment and unfair treatment, Tina Tchen continues to support the movement through her legal activism.

Tina Tchen

Patsy Mink was the first woman of color elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the first Asian-American woman to serve in Congress.

Patsy Mink

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Biography

Sacagawea

Sacagawea is best known for joining Louis and Clark on their expedition westward from the Mississippi to the Pacific Coast.

Biography

Deborah Sampson

Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man and joined the Patriot forces during the American Revolution. She was the only woman to earn a military pension for participation in the Revolutionary army.

Biography

Bernice Sandler

Known as the “Godmother of Title IX,” Bernice Sandler fought for women’s rights in education.

Biography

Margaret Sanger

Margaret Sanger founded the birth control movement and became an outspoken and life-long advocate for women’s reproductive rights.

Biography

Elizabeth Ann Seton

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was the first American to be canonized as a saint.

Biography

Muriel Siebert

Fearless Wall Street broker Muriel Siebert was known as The First Woman of Finance.

Biography

Olympia J. Snowe

Olympia Snowe was the first woman in American history to serve in both houses of State Legislature and both houses of Congress.

Biography

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Author, lecturer, and chief philosopher of the woman’s rights and suffrage movements.

Biography

Gloria Steinem

Gloria Steinem is an acclaimed journalist, trailblazing feminist, and one of the most visible, passionate leaders and spokeswomen of the women’s rights movement.

Biography

Lucy Stone

A leading suffragist and abolitionist, Lucy Stone dedicated her life to battling inequality on all fronts.

Biography

Abolitionist author, Harriet Beecher Stowe rose to fame in 1851 with the publication of her best-selling book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which highlighted the evils of slavery, angered the slaveholding South.

Biography

Maria Tallchief

Maria Tallchief was one of America's most popular ballerinas.

Biography

Julia Hunt Catlin Park Depew Taufflieb

During World War I, Julia Taufflieb turned her home into a hospital for wounded soldiers in France.

Biography

Recy Taylor

Although it was very dangerous for African Americans to speak out against white people during the Jim Crow era, Recy Taylor refused to remain silent about sexual violence.

Biography

Tina Tchen

As women around the world speak out against sexual harassment and unfair treatment, Tina Tchen continues to support the movement through her legal activism.

Biography