Humanities

Donaldina Cameron (1869 - 1968) Humanities

Scottish-American Missionary

Donaldina Cameron was a faithful Presbyterian who devoted her life to rescuing and protecting Chinese girls and women from forced prostitution in San Francisco’s Chinatown during the late 19th century and early 20th century. For the majority of her life, she was the superintendent of the Occidental Mission Home, an organization and home dedicated to housing Chinese girls and teaching them Christian values.

Cameron was known for her kindness and courage in her work. Despite the constant threats she received against her life from brothel owners, she continued going on dangerous rescue missions in freeing hostage Chinese girls and maintaining the Home. She also founded other homes for children of Chinese girls and for Chinese orphans. Throughout her life, she aided over 3,000 Chinese women and children, making a lasting impact in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

“With simple faithfulness, therefore, let us go forward looking to God for our pattern, then weave it into human life; thus will the world become better.” - Donaldina Cameron

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Ursula Kroeber Le Guin (1929 - 2018) Humanities

American Author

Ursula Kroeber Le Guin was a barrier-breaking science fiction and fantasy writer in the late 1960s and 80s, a time when women were largely excluded from the science fiction world. She gained international success and became the first woman to win both the Hugo and Nebula awards in the same year for Best Novel. She used her recognition in the writing world to further advocate for the acknowledgement and celebration of other female science fiction writers.

Le Guin used her writing to spread her philosophies of freedom, feminism, and the nuanced conversations that keep people’s minds open to new ideas. Her compiled list of work includes 23 novels, 11 collections of poetry, 12 short story volumes, 13 children’s books, 4 translated works, and 5 essay collections.

“You cannot buy the revolution. You cannot make the revolution. You can only be the revolution. It is in your spirit, or it is nowhere.” ― Ursula K. Le Guin

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Chief Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti (1900 - 1978) Humanities

Educator, suffragette, politician and Pan-African activist

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was a prominent Nigerian suffragette, politician, and educator, whose goal was to ensure women's access to democratic literacy as well as secure Nigeria's independence from the British. Her most notable pursuit of her desires was her role in the “Abeokuta Women's Revolt”. By leading thousands of women in protest against harsh tax systems, she was able to cement the notion of “no taxation without representation". In 1947, amongst the group of delegates who went to London to discuss the possibility of a new constitution for Nigeria, she was the only female in the group.

She is a recipient of the Nigerian Medal as a Member Order of the Niger (MON), an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Ibadan, and the Lenin Peace Prize in 1970.

“May I never let womanhood down” - Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

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Mary Ware Dennett (1872 - 1947) Humanities

Women’s Rights & Reproductive Justice Activist

Mary Coffin Ware Dennett was a women's rights activist, pacifist, homeopathic advocate, and pioneer in the areas of birth control, sex education, and women's suffrage. She co-founded the National Birth Control League (ABCL) alongside Jessie Ashley, Clara Gruening Stillman, and Margaret Sanger. As a highly talented artist, she held positions at the Drexel University Institute of Art, teaching design and decoration from 1894 to 1897. Dennett was undoubtedly a trailblazer for a wide range of women and her immense impact in the fight for women’s rights and reproductive justice on all fronts must be underscored, not forgotten.

"If a few federal officials want to use their power to penalize me for my work for the young people of this country, they must bear the shame of the jail sentence. It is the government which is disgraced, not I." - Mary Ware Dennett (April 24, 1929, at a Brooklyn federal courthouse)

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Joan Didion (1934 - 2021) Humanities

American Writer and Journalist

Joan Didon was an evocative writer and journalist who was able to grasp a wide variety of creative mediums throughout her life to produce philosophical and thought-provoking works about the period in which she lived. Didion was a pioneer in the “New Journalism” movement, which challenged many journalistic traditions in the 1960s and 70s.

Didion’s writing won several accolades throughout her career, including the National Humanities Medal awarded to her by President Barack Obama in 2013. She was a wife and mother, both roles significantly impacting her art by fueling the emotional nature and relatability of her works.

“I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear.” - Joan Didion

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Lyda Conley (1868 - 1946) Humanities

First Native American Lawyer

Lyda Conley was the first female Native American lawyer involved in the American legal system and was admitted to the Kansas Bar, the legal institution to represent and run the state. She was also the first Native American and third woman to challenge the Supreme Court, arguing for the protection of her tribe’s sacred Wyandotte (why-un-dot) burial grounds after undergoing forced relocation to Kansas. Many members of the tribe died as they were unequipped for the Kansas landscape, making the cemetery paramount in preserving Wyandotte’s history. Conley also stopped urban renewal among her tribe’s sacred cemetery, creating a meaningful step forward in Native American rights as well as environmental protection. Conley’s advocacy for cemetery protection paved the way for Native Americans and women alike to pursue impactful careers in law, championing the rights of historically marginalized peoples.

“No lawyer could plead for the grave of my mother as I could, no lawyer could have the heart interest in the case that I have.” - Lyda Conley

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Dr. Danielle Allen (1971 - Present) Humanities

Civic Educator, Visionary Policymaker, and The Washington Post Columnist

Dr. Danielle Allen is a distinguished scholar, educator, and advocate known for her profound contributions to political philosophy, ethics, and public policy. As the James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University and Director of the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation at Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Center, she has led groundbreaking research and initiatives to improve democratic practice and civic education. As a seasoned nonprofit leader and democracy advocate, Allen's work spans academia and activism, where she has tirelessly championed causes such as cannabis legalization, public health policy, and democracy reform.

Throughout her illustrious career, Allen's leadership has been instrumental in driving change both locally and nationally. Notably, her efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in developing the country's first-ever Roadmap to Pandemic Resilience, with her strategy related to testing, contact tracing, and isolation and quarantine adopted in federal legislation and executive orders. As the first Black woman to run for statewide office in Massachusetts, Allen has shattered barriers and continues to advocate for greater access and inclusivity in our democracy. Recognized for her scholarly achievements, she has received prestigious honors such as the Library of Congress's Kluge Prize and the MacArthur Foundation's "Genius" grant, affirming her commitment to advancing democratic principles and fostering inclusive governance.

“Democrats, are you willing to stop hating Republicans? Republicans, are you willing to stop hating Democrats? This is what is asked of us if we are to have the constitutional democracy we desire." - Dr. Danielle Allen

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Nezihe Muhiddin (1989 - 1958) Humanities

Turkish Political Pioneer, Women’s Rights Activist, Journalist, Writer, and Suffragette

Nezihe Muhiddin was born in İstanbul during the last years of the Ottoman Empire and lived through the transitional Kemalist regime, experiencing firsthand the societal shifts that define Turkish history today. Muhiddin was the face of women’s suffrage during the first-ever years of the Republic of Türkiye established in 1923, where she established the first-ever political party of Türkiye, called the Women’s People’s Party (Kadınlar Halk Fırkası). Due to immense sexist backlash, the party transitioned into the Turkish Women’s Union/Association in 1924, which aimed to improve every aspect of women’s lives and amplify their presence in the political sphere.

Additionally, Muhiddin edited and wrote for the Feminist Magazine “Kadınlar Dünyası" (Women's World). She published over 300 short stories and completed 17 novels on critical issues facing women. Her unwavering commitment to gender equality serves as an inspiration for women’s liberation and suffrage for generations to come.

“Women need to assert our rightful places in social and political life. First, we need to raise awareness, then we need to educate.” - Nezihe Muhiddin

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Jhumpa Lahiri (1967 - Present) Humanities

English-born Bengali-American Novelist, Translator, and Literary Critic

Jhumpa Lahiri is a prominent novelist in the publishing industry. Her works showcase the experiences of Bengali and East Indian immigrants, specifically focusing on the challenges of assimilation, building community, and identity. She is also fluent in Italian and has published works such as In altre parole, a memoir about her experience with learning Italian. Lahiri worked as a literary critic for The New Yorker magazine for over twenty-five years and has translated many works of Italian and Latin into English.

Some of Lahiri’s most well-known novels and short story collections include: Interpreter of Maladies, The Namesake, and The Lowland. In 2000, she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Fiction for Interpreter of Maladies. U.S. President Barack Obama also awarded her the 2015 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature for The Lowland and the 2014 National Humanities Medal.

“The more I feel imperfect, the more I feel alive.” - Jhumpa Lahiri

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Naaz Joshi (1984 - Present) Humanities

India's First Transgender International Beauty Queen and Transgender Right Activist

Naaz Joshi is the first transgender model in India, as well as a cover model, showstopper, and worldwide beauty queen. She is also a motivational speaker and a transgender rights activist. She was recently crowned the Empress Earth in 2021 and is the only woman in India to hold seven international crowns. In addition, Naaz has won the Miss World Diversity pageant three times.

Fun fact: Her name ‘Naaz’ means ‘pride’ in Urdu.

“I take a lot of pride in just being myself. Like every other woman, I too dream of falling in love and have a beautiful life.” - Naaz Joshi

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Sophia Bush (1982 - Present) Humanities

Actress, Activist, Philanthropist

Sophia Bush is a prominent figure, not only for TV show fanatics, but also for her work towards advocating for members of the LGBTQ+ community, aiding developing nations, and her avid political efforts. She has gained a large platform from one of her most well-known characters, Brooke Davis (One Tree Hill) and has used it for women empowerment advocacy.

Bush actively works to make the world a better place by shedding light on lesser-known injustices and raising money for causes ranging from cancer research to voting rights.

CNN has named her one of the most charitable celebrities since 2015.

“You are allowed to be a masterpiece and a work in progress. Simultaneously.” - Sophia Bush

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Amelia Boynton Robinson (1911 - 2015) Humanities

Activist, Leader of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Marches

Amelia Boynton Robinson was a central figure in passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965. By working alongside other activists, most notably Martin Luther King Jr., she was able to assist in the organization of the Selma to Montgomery Marches. Fighting against racial discrimination, she sought to increase the number of African American registered voters and fought to have their voices heard.

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Gloria Allred (1941 - Present) Humanities

Attorney, Human Rights Activist, Feminist

Gloria Allred is a lawyer who has dedicated her life to advocating for justice and rights for women and disadvantaged minorities. Her law firm, Allred, Maroko, and Goldberg, has handled more women’s rights cases than any other private law firm in the nation. After facing various hardships, Allred pursued her career as a lawyer to ensure that all women were treated fairly under the law. Committed to her job, she has not taken a vacation in forty years. Allred even works on the weekends and holidays because she believes that "your problem doesn't wait for Monday." The magazine Time called her “one of the nation’s most effective advocates of family rights and feminist causes.”

“Because of my life experiences, I understand that I have an opportunity to help other women. I have the desire and the ability.” - Gloria Allred

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Bernice King (1963 - Present) Humanities

African-American Author, Minister, and CEO of the King Center

As the youngest daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Bernice Albertine King took on her parents’ passion for advocating for nonviolent social change. At a young age, she was called to the ministry, just like her father was, and she was the only child in the King family to take up ministry as a profession. Later on, she published two books: one based on a collection of her addresses, “Hard Questions, Heart Answers: Sermons and Speeches,” and the other one is an autobiography, “The Father I Never Knew.”

In January 2012, King was given the position of chief executive officer (CEO) for the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, also known as the King Center, by the Board of Trustees. To carry on her parent’s legacy, King began educating youths and adults about nonviolent practices, which she rebranded as Nonviolence365, demonstrated by her parents.

“Love is not a weak, spineless emotion; it is a powerful moral force on the side of justice.” - Bernice King

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Susanne Langer (1895 - 1985) Humanities

Philosopher of Aesthetics, Author, and Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Susanne Langer was an American philosopher who made significant contributions to her field. Her ideas on creativity and the mind have become a part of society’s mindset around art and music. She was one of the most widely read philosophers of her time per her celebrated book Philosophy In A New Key. She argued that when an artist creates, they don’t create to communicate their own emotion but to rather convey the idea of emotion itself and what they know about emotion. The book sold more than half a million copies and quickly made its way to assigned reading lists where thousands of students eagerly consumed its new ideas. Langer was also a professor of philosophy at Connecticut College, before receiving a research grant and going into writing.

“Most new discoveries are suddenly - seen things that were always there. A new idea is a light that illuminates presences which simply had no form before the light fell on them.” - Susanne Langer

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Karen Nussbaum (1950 - Present) Humanities

Activist and Co-Founder of 9to5 Movement

Karen Nussbaum is a union organizer, activist, and former U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau director. In 1973, she founded and directed the 9to5 movement, which focused on obtaining fair treatment of women in the workforce and ensuring the workplace was free of sexual harassment and microaggressions directed toward women.

She dropped out of the University of Chicago during her sophomore year to be more active in the anti-Vietnam War movement. To support herself, she was a clerical worker at Harvard University. That experience inspired her to join forces with other middle and working-class women in the United States to advocate for better treatment.

"The true face of unions is not now a man in a hard hat as much as it is a woman in a classroom or in cleaning smocks.” - Karen Nussbaum

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Maria da Penha Maia Fernandes (1945 - Present) Humanities

Women Rights Activist and Inspiration for the “Lei Maria da Penha” (the Maria da Penha Law)

When Maria da Penha was almost murdered by her husband, there was no law, police station, or shelter that protected women from domestic violence in Brazil. “At that time, we weren’t even aware of this expression – domestic violence,” she said, “you just had a bad husband.” Even paraplegics decided to dismantle the patriarchal culture and fight for women’s rights.

Thus, she was the inspiration for the first Brazilian law against violence towards women, the “Lei Maria da Penha” (the Maria da Penha Law), which saves, supports, and helps Brazilian women to this day.

“Life only starts when the violence ends.” - Maria da Penha

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Heidy Quah (1994 - Present) Humanities

Philanthropist, Social Rights Advocate, Queen’s Young Leader Award Recipient

At only 28 years old, Heidy Quah is a prominent figure who has impacted the lives of thousands of people through her creation of the NGO, Refuge for the Refugees. Although Malaysia has allowed refugees to stay in the country temporarily before relocating to another, the country does not endorse the Refugee 1951 Convention and its 1967 Protocol. The lack of support from the Malaysian government is due to the Malaysian Immigration Act 155 Law, which makes no distinction between undocumented migrants and refugees. This misgiving creates vulnerability for refugees as they are increasingly prone to arrests and deportations.

Although society has progressed in many ways, there are still millions of people who seek refuge from their war-ridden countries. As a human rights activist, Quah plays a significant role in aiding victims who need to evacuate the unstable environments of their home countries. Her efforts to provide a safe space to educate refugees greatly impact their lives, since they are often forced out of their homes with no time to collect their personal items or legal documents. This makes it immensely difficult for them to obtain a job or enroll into school to pursue further education.

Her work is recognized not only by Malaysians but by people across the world. Quah even gained the attention of Queen Elizabeth II, who awarded her the Queen’s Young Leader Award in 2017.

"When you understand your privilege, know your identity and your worth, there's so much more to give." - Heidy Quah

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Alice Nkom (1945 - Present) Humanities

First Female Cameroonian Attorney and LGBTQ+ Rights Activist

Alice Nkom is an outspoken activist for LGBTQ+ people throughout Cameroon, where they can be convicted for their sexual orientation and face jail time. From being the first female attorney in Cameroon to form the first anti-homophobia non-profit organization, Alice Nkom is no stranger to breaking down barriers and fighting for what is right, no matter the cost.

Despite being threatened with arrest, Nkom continues to work towards bringing more attention to the worsening situation for LGBTQ+ people across Cameroon.

"The situation will not change until there is a minimum level of democracy and respect for human rights values.” - Alice Nkom

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Yu Gwansun (1902 - 1920) Humanities

Korean Independence Activist and Patriotic Martyr

Yu Gwansun, referred to as Korea’s “Joan of Arc,” was a fearless young woman who showcased great bravery and patriotism for the freedom of her country. She is best known for joining the March 1st (“Samil” translating to “three-one” or “March-one”) Movement, a collection of protests fighting for Korea’s independence from Japanese control since the peninsula went under colonial rule in 1905. Yu has displayed not only her impeccable strength, but also great adoration for her country through her willingness to endanger her own life to lead and advocate protests. Through these demonstrations, Yu would witness the murder of both her parents, peers, and imprisonments, which were generated by colonial authority.

Even in prison, her activism persisted by holding protests by herself or with fellow prisoners. Yu died in 1920 at the age of 17 due to starvation and torture. Although she was never given the chance to embrace a free Korea as she died long before its liberation in 1945, she remains as a great source of inspiration to Koreans to this day.

“Even if my fingernails are torn out, my nose and ears are ripped apart, and my legs and arms are crushed, this physical pain does not compare to the pain of losing my nation. My only remorse is not being able to do more than dedicating my life to my country.” - Yu Gwansun

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Urvashi Vaid (1958 - 2022) Humanities

LGBTQ+ Activist

Urvashi Vaid was an LGBTQ+ activist who fought for many issues throughout her life and pushed for reforms. She was born in India before moving to the United States, where she became interested in politics after attending an anti-war protest. Later on, she got a law degree and she began her activism in earnest. She worked at the newspaper Gay Community News and created the Boston Lesbian/Gay Political Alliance. Vaid fought for better care of prisoners with HIV/AIDS through class action lawsuits. After becoming the media director and then executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, she left in 1992 to write Virtual Equality, which was published in 1995 to critical acclaim and won the Stonewall Book Award the following year. She died on May 14, 2022 at the age of 63 and is survived by her partner Kate Clinton who continues to advocate for their beliefs through political humor. Her life was defined by her fight for equality, which she advocated for consistently.

“We call for the end of bigotry as we know it. The end of racism as we know it. The end of child abuse in the family as we know it. The end of sexism as we know it. The end of homophobia as we know it. We stand for freedom as we have yet to know it. And we will not be denied.” - Urvashi Vaid

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Anna Pavlovna Filosofova (1837 - 1912) Humanities

Women’s Rights Advocate and Russian Philanthropist

Despite being raised in a wealthy household and living an extravagant lifestyle, Anna Filosofova made it her life’s mission to improve how Russian women were treated at the time. Since they had limited opportunities for health care, occupations, and education, Filosofova wanted all women to live the life they deserved.

Throughout her life, Filosofova stood out as a bold woman whose actions toward “improving the situation of women in Russia” seemed to be misunderstood by the Russian authorities (Eidelman, 2007). Until her death, she continued advocating for women’s rights in Russia, yet the authorities always seemed to view her actions under suspicion. Nevertheless, Filosofova accomplished many feats, including founding the Society for Inexpensive Apartments for Working Women and the Society for Providing the Means for Women's Higher Education as well as providing jobs to many Russian women. Although she was heavily misunderstood throughout her life, Filosofova’s actions remain the blueprint for many pre-revolutionary feminist efforts.

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Junko Tabei (1939 - 2016) Humanities

Japanese Mountaineer, Author, Teacher, Environmentalist, and Founder of the First All-Women’s Climbing Club in Japan

Junko Tabei became the first woman to climb Mount Everest during her 1975 trek up the range, solidifying her position as a mountain pioneer. Additionally, she became the first woman to climb all of the “seven summits” - the tallest peaks on each continent. Despite all the criticism she received while pursuing her career, she continued following her passion by founding the first women’s climbing club in Japan, Joshi-Tohan. She led the group to climb Annapurna III in Nepal, followed by an attempt to climb Mount Everest. Throughout her life, she also published seven books, studied sustainability for mountains as her postgraduate in university, and further campaigned for preservation of the environment. Amazingly, Junko climbed 160 mountains by the age of sixty nine.

“Technique and ability alone do not get you to the top; it is the willpower that is most important.” - Junko Tabei

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Daisy Bates (1914 - 1999) Humanities

Civil Rights Activist, NAACP President, and Congressional Gold Medalist

Daisy Bates was an incredibly important civil rights leader. She helped manage the Little Rock Nine integration crisis and led the Arkansas National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). During the Little Rock Nine integration, she accompanied Black students to an all-white high school every day despite receiving countless death threats, bomb threats, and incidents of violence. Bates also published a newspaper that recounted incidents of police brutality against Black citizens and harassment toward Black veterans.

Bates won numerous awards, including the American Book Award, the Congressional Gold Medal, the Woman of the Year award by the National Council of Negro Women, and the Spingarn Medal, the NAACP’s highest award.

“No man or woman who tries to pursue an ideal in his or her own way is without enemies” - Daisy Bates

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Mary Ware Dennett (1872 - 1947) Humanities

Advocate for Social Reform, Women’s Rights, Sexual Education and Freedom, and Pacifism

Mary Ware Dennett was an American Women’s Rights activist, who fought for sex education, the right to contraception, and homeopathy through pacifist and diplomatic means. She co-founded the National Birth Control League in 1915, the Voluntary Parenthood League, and was an avid member of the National American Women's Suffrage Association.

Dennett wrote many books in her time, including a famous pamphlet, "The Sex Side of Life," which led to the federal court case United States vs. Dennett, which triggered national consideration about the distribution and discussion of sex-related materials. Her work changed the face of America and society.

"If a few federal officials want to use their power to penalize me for my work for the young people of this country, they must bear the shame of the jail sentence. It is the government which is disgraced, not I." - Mary Ware Dennett

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Murasaki Shikibu (c.978 - c.1014) Humanities

Japanese Writer, Poet, Author of the World’s First Novel (The Tale of Genji) and Tutor of Empress Shoshi

Murasaki Shikibu was an influential figure during the early 1000s. She not only broke multiple stereotypes for Japanese women at the time, but also wrote the first novel in history, The Tale of Genji. As a young girl, she learned fields of study that women typically did not learn, such as Chinese and Kana writing.

After her husband’s sudden death, she became a lady-in-waiting at the Imperial court, a place in which only high class society lived. Writing became her way to grieve, as she worked on The Tale of Genji, which was her most popular and prominent piece of writing. The Tale of Genji became a popular source of literature not only at this time, but also for today’s globe.

Murasaki Shikibu stepped up to be a voice for women and created a new genre in literature.

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Doria Shafik (1908 - 1975 Humanities

Leading Egyptian Feminist and Founder of the Bint al-Nil Union

Doria Shafik, spelled Durriyah Shafiq, was an emblematic figure of the women's liberation movement in the 1940s. Shafik knew that she was destined for more than what society offered women during her time—she earned a PhD in Paris and became a prolific feminist activist, philosopher, poet, author and editor. She is one of the most influential women in Arab history. Doria Shafik is the youngest Egyptian to have obtained the French Baccalaureate at only 16 years old.

She started several hunger strikes to demand respect for women’s rights, and to denounce the dictatorial regime of Gamal Abdal Nasser, which banned her from any type of press. As a result of her efforts, Egyptian women were granted the right to vote by the Egyptian constitution. Despite the importance of her contribution in Egyptian society evolution, the generations of patriarchal governments have continuously effaced her stories.

“The true meaning of the women's movement is the complete cooperation between men and women, not the continuous struggle between the two.” - Doria Shafik

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Clara Shortridge Foltz (1849 - 1934) Humanities

American Lawyer

Foltz is renowned for her countless contributions to the women’s rights movement and legal system. She was the first female clerk for the State Assembly Judiciary Committee (1880), the first woman member of the State Board of Charities and Corrections, and the first female lawyer in California.

The Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center was named in her honor for her criminal justice advocacy.

"I am that formidable and terrifying object known as a woman — while he is only a poor, helpless, defenseless man, and he wants you to take pity on him and give him a verdict in this case." - Clara Shortridge Foltz

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Angelina Grimke Weld (1805 - 1879) Humanities

Political Activist, Abolitionist, Feminist

Angelina Grimke Weld was born and raised on a plantation in South Carolina, and her first-hand exposure to slavery can explain her position as a fierce abolitionist. She wrote abolitionist literature such as American Slavery As It Is, Appeal to the Christian Women of the South, and On Slavery and Abolition.

Angelina Grimke Weld worked with her sister, Sarah Grimke, and the two were a very influential duo. One of the most unique things about the two was that they were both feminists and abolitionists. Unlike many others of their time, they acknowledged the significant intersectionality of race and gender. They also helped to introduce and integrate a new demographic, white women of the south, into the abolitionist movement.

“It matters not what we have been but this and always this: what we shall be.” - Angelina Grimke Weld

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Asieh Amini (1973 - Present) Humanities

Survivor

Asieh Amini is an Iranian poet and journalist who fights for women’s rights, more specifically against the stoning and executions of minors in Iran. Born on September 14, 1973, she has experienced the harsh reality of the life of women in Iran. After the Iranian Revolution, women were forced to cover up and wear a black hijab, upsetting many of them. Although she was forced to flee to Norway because of those who strongly opposed her views, her love for Iran has never stopped. Amini also created the Stop Stoning Forever Campaign to help her country, and others, to progress. Moreover, in 2009, she won the Human Rights Watch's Hellmann/Hammett award, which is a grant for victims of political persecution who face financial difficulty.

“To understand somebody else as a human being, I think, is about as close to real forgiveness as one can get.” - Asieh Amini

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Ida B. Wells (1862 - 1931) Humanities

African American Civil Rights and Anti-Lynching Activist, Feminist, Investigative Journalist, Schoolteacher

Ida B. Wells was born enslaved in 1862 in Mississippi. She grew to be known as one of the fiercest critics of lynching in her editorials. In addition, she co-founded the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and was the first president of the Negro Fellowship League. In 2020, Columbia University in New York City awarded her a Pulitzer Prize, a prestigious honor, for accomplishments in newspaper, magazine, online journalism, literature, and musical composition.

“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” - Ida B. Wells

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Juliette Gordon Low (1860 - 1927) Humanities

Founder of the Girl Scouts of America

Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts of America, the largest and most successful female organization in the world. Low started the first U.S. Girl Scout troop in her hometown, Savannah, Georgia in 1912. Throughout the 1910s and 1920s, she worked tirelessly to promote and support the Girl Scouts organization. For this work, she received several awards including a Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Silver Fish award. Low is known for her determination and overall commitment to the Girl Scouts.

“Right is right, even if no one else does it.” - Juliette Gordon Low

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Yeonmi Park (1993 - Present) Humanities

North Korean Defector and Activist

Yeonmi Park was born in Hyesan, North Korea and escaped the country when she was just thirteen years old. After living miserably in China, surviving under the radar for two years, she fled to South Korea in 2009, and finally moved to the United States in 2014.

Since 2014, Yeonmi has advocated for North Korean citizens’ rights and the removal of North Korea’s brutal government. She has made very impactful speeches at the Oslo Freedom Forum and the One Young World Summit in 2014. She has also been named one of BBC’s “Top Global 100 Women.” Additionally, despite the fact that she received little education during her time in North Korea, she has quickly excelled in her academic career by majoring in criminal justice at Dongguk University from 2012 to 2015 and attending Columbia University from 2016 to 2018. She continues to advocate for North Koreans as a member of the board of directors at the Human Rights Foundation, where the mission is to preserve human rights and freedom for people worldwide.

"I inhaled books like other people breathe oxygen. I didn't just read for knowledge or pleasure, I read to live.” - Yeonmi Park, In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom

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Rosa Parks (1913 - 2005) Humanities

Activist, Martin Luther King Jr. Award Recipient, and Member of Michigan’s Women Hall of Fame

Rosa Parks was an American civil rights activist, known for refusing to give up her seat to a white man, as a Black woman, in Alabama in 1955; this protest brought forth the widespread boycott against the Montgomery Bus system. Park’s actions invigorated the civil rights movement in the United States. She became the face of dignity, strength, and the fight against racial segregation.

She has been recognized for her talents with multiple awards, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Spingarn Medal (the highest given honor), induction into Michigan’s Hall of fame, and the Martin Luther King Jr. award.

“It takes more than one person to bring about peace - it takes all of us.” - Rosa Parks

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Maria Angelita Ressa (1963 - Present) Humanities

Filipino-American Journalist, Author, & First Filipino Recipient of The Nobel Peace Prize

Maria Ressa is a Filipino-American journalist and author, and the first Filipino recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. She is widely known for exposing government corruption and human rights violations in the Philippines through Rappler, a Manila-based digital news website, which she founded.

Maria Ressa is a fearless defender of freedom of expression. As an investigative journalist, she has methodically uncovered the authoritarian and abusive nature of President Duterte’s administration within the larger Filipino government. Ressa is committed to exposing Duterte’s controversial and murderous "War on Drugs.”

Due to the defiant nature of her reports, Ressa has received backlash from Duterte’s administration and his avid supporters.

Among a plethora of other achievements, Maria Ressa was conferred as one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World and the BBC’s 100 Women in 2019, and was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 2021.

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Nadia Murad (1993 - Present) Humanities

Human Rights Activist, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and Founder of Nadia’s Initiative

Nadia Murad is a survivor of the Yazidi genocide perpetrated by the Islamic State in Iraq (ISIS) in 2014. After escaping to Germany, she became an activist for her community and survivors of gender-based violence. She won several awards for her efforts and became the first Iraqi to receive a Nobel Prize. Nadia Murad also founded Nadia’s Initiative, an organisation advocating for survivors of sexual violence and committed to rebuilding communities during crises. Moreover, she published a New York Times bestselling memoir, The Last Girl. She has been continuously fighting for justice for the Yazidis and speaking against the use of rape as a weapon of war

“I want to be the last girl in the world with a story like mine.” - Nadia Murad

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Reshma Saujani (1975 - Present) Humanities

Lawyer, Politician, and Founder of Nonprofit Organization Girls Who Code

Reshma Saujani is the founder of Girls Who Code and promotes the importance of women in the technology industry (i.e. 300,000 women in technology). She started her career as an activist, and is well known today for being the first Indian American to run for Congress. Her main goal as the CEO of Girls Who Code is to motivate young women’s minds today, and to bridge the gender gap in STEM.

Throughout her career, Saujani has earned many prestigious awards, including the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education. Saujani has made strides as a lawyer, politician, and founder, and hopes to empower diversity in the tech industry.

“Coding is the language of the future, and every girl should learn it.” - Reshma Saujani

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Lady Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales (1961-1997) Humanities

Member of the British Royal Family, Activist, and Educator

Lady Diana Frances Spencer, famously known as “The People’s Princess,” served as a member of the British Royal Family and is remembered for her charitable work on behalf of the British commonwealth. Her generosity, sympathy, and liberality gave strength to those who needed it most, fueling progressive change against long standing royal traditions. Princess Diana was a pioneer for humanitarian efforts, proving to be more than a high profile royal, and dedicated to destigmatizing the emerging AIDS/HIV virus in the 1980s, by interacting with ill patients, funding and working for homeless shelters, helping to ban landmines, visiting hospitals to raise awareness, and working alongside deaf or impoverished children. By breaking the expectations and constraints of royal culture, “The People’s Princess” was able to cement her compassion into the hearts of a global network of admirers.

On June 14th, 1999, Time Magazine listed Princess Diana in its “Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century,” under the category “hero and icon.”

“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” - Princess Diana

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Maria Goeppert Mayer (1906 - 1972) Humanities

German Theoretical Physicist, Nobel Prize Laureate

Doctor Maria Goeppert Mayer was the second woman to receive a Nobel Prize in physics for her ground-breaking model of nucleon structure within atoms. Mayer overcame the gender barriers that restricted all women during her time period and proved that her contributions were just as valid as those of her male colleagues.

“Winning the prize wasn’t halfway as exciting as doing the work itself.” - Maria Goeppert Mayer

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Harriet Tubman (1820 - 1913) Humanities

Abolitionist, Conductor of the Underground Railroad Network and the “Moses of Her People.”

Harriet Tubman was a prominent figure of the abolitionist movement. Born into slavery, she dedicated her entire life saving other enslaved people. At the age of 12, she helped a fugitive enslaved person flee, resulting in a lifelong head injury. Later, she embarked on perilous journeys and led dozens of enslaved people to freedom along the Underground Railroad Network. During the Civil War, she helped free 700 enslaved people by spying in territories of Confederate states. Through her achievements, Harriet became known as the “Moses of Her People”.

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” – Harriet Tubman

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Kadambini Ganguly (1861 - 1923) Humanities

Symbol of Bengali Women’s Liberation

Kadambini Ganguly was the first female Indian and South Asian surgeon trained in Western medicine and one of the first female graduates of an Indian graduate school. She was the first female practitioner of Western medicine within South Asia and one of the first six women to participate in the National Congress of India. She also helped organize the women’s conference in India after the partition of India. She was the first woman to be admitted to Calcutta Medical College and paved the way for women in South Asia in the field of medicine. Her lectures made Calcutta Medical College open its doors to women, and she was the first female speaker at the National Congress of India.

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Maria Lacerda de Moura (1887 - 1945) Humanities

Brazilian Individualist Feminist

Maria Lacerda de Moura was a Brazilian individualist feminist. She was known for being a rebel and was the first Brazilian feminist to express her thoughts in newspaper, review, and book form.

She was one of the first Brazilian feminists and is considered a precursor of the anarcho-feminism movement in the country. She was a teacher, poet, intellectual, and activist. She was also vegetarian and known for being extremely firm in her anti-capitalist and anti-clerical positions.

She wrote more than 20 books in her lifetime and was considered a thinker and an intellectual pioneer by the antifacist movement during her time.

"In times like today, no one is born with closed eyes," she wrote in The Woman is a Degenerate.

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Dewi Sartika (1884 - 1947) Humanities

Indonesian Women’s Rights Advocate

Dewi Sartika was a pioneer for women’s education in Indonesia. As a child, Sartika demonstrated a passion for education, yet noticed that girls were scarcely enrolled in school for proper education. In 1904, she victoriously built a school exclusively for teenage girls known originally as Sekolah Istri at the age of 20 years old. The school flourished across the region and inspired women to pursue their dreams, just as Sartika did. After her immense work fighting and advocating for the emancipation of women in 1966, Dewi Sartika was considered a national hero.

“Hanya dengan pendidikan kita akan tumbuh menjadi suatu bangsa.” -Dewi Sartika

“Only with education can we grow into one nation.” -Dewi Sartika

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Dr. Yvonne Sylvain (1907 - 1989) Humanities

First Female Haitian Doctor, Social Advocate, and Writer

YDr. Yvonne Sylvain is a distinguished figure in the Haitian community. In the mid-20th century, she was the first female doctor in Haiti and the first woman to be accepted into medical school at the University of Haiti. After graduating, she worked as a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology at Port-au-Prince General Hospital. Sylvain used her influence to advocate for the inequalities in Haitian society and raise awareness of public health issues.

Sylvaine was also highly active in the Women's Suffrage movement, Ligue Féminine D'action Sociale. She even published several articles on public health in the Ligue's news outlet, La Voix des Femmes. Although she is mostly known for her work in the medical field, Sylvain was also very passionate about art and culture.

Fun Fact: Her sister, Suzanne Comhaire-Sylvain, is Haiti’s first female anthropologist.

“We must not let these people die for lack of treatment” -Yvonne Sylvain

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Mabel Ping-Hua Lee (1896 - 1966) Humanities

Activist, Feminist, and First Chinese Woman to receive a Ph.D. in the U.S.

Mabel Ping-Hua Lee was a significant figure in contributing to women’s rights to vote. At a young age, Lee was involved in activism where she, on horseback, led a women’s suffrage march of 10,000 people. In 1917, Lee led another march, but this time the participants were mostly Chinese women advocating for the right to vote and gender equality. Lee dedicated her life to fighting for women’s suffrage and equality, writing essays, publishing a book, and making speeches.

Lee, in fact, did not directly benefit from her activism, but her determination and effort made sure other women did. Lee was a Chinese immigrant, and at that time, the Chinese Exclusion Act did not allow Chinese immigrants to become U.S. citizens, prohibiting them from being able to vote. However, this did not deter Lee as she continued to educate herself and her community, becoming the first-ever Chinese woman to earn a Ph.D. in the United States.

“For no nation can ever make real and lasting progress in civilization unless its women are following close to its men if not actually abreast with them.” -Mabel Ping-Hua Lee

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Alice Therese Emma Schalek (1874 - 1956) Humanities

Austrian Journalist, Photographer, Author, Globetrotter and War Correspondent

Alice Schalek was Austria’s first female war correspondent and the only woman in the Austro-Hungarian Empire to be accredited to the Kriegspressequartier (War Press Office) during World War I. Her articles and public lectures on life on the front lines and her travels around the world were both popular and controversial. Schalek gained both acclaim and criticism through her unique style and personal involvement with her work. Schalek observed some of the bloodiest and most futile battles in what was, at the time, by far the most horrendous war the world had ever known. Even though she had no tradition of war reporting to fall back on and struggled to make sense of the genocidal madness she saw, she fought for her place in the male-dominated domain of journalism and photography.

“It’s strange that fear rises when the [artillery] barrage lets up. To be afraid, you have to have time. When your thoughts are fully occupied fear finds no place to lodge. But when a moment of quiet comes and you don’t know what will happen next, then you often lose your inner composure. Then you start wishing for your own death, just so that the strain on the nerves will end.” -Alice Schalek

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Yumi Ishikawa (1987 - Present) Humanities

Japanese Actress, Writer, and Feminist Activist

Actress, model, writer, and part-time funeral parlor worker, Yumi Ishikawa pioneered the #KuToo movement, which was the movement against the discriminatory high heel policy in Japan. It is part of the larger movement about gender equality in the workplace. In many countries around the world, women are required to wear high heels to work. This takes a toll on their physical health, as it is sometimes extremely painful to wear high heels for 5-8 hours straight. After she saw how much other women were also suffering, she collected 150,000 signatures in a petition to let women choose their own footwear in the office and presented it to the Japanese government. Even though she was ultimately unsuccessful, Yumi raised awareness for this issue and effectively shed light on gender discrimination in the corporate world.

She was included in the BBC’s 100 Women list in 2019 for her efforts and continues to fight against gender inequality in Japan.

“I was unashamed in my fight.” -Yumi Ishikawa, referring to the #KuToo movement

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Anasuya Sarabhai (1885 - 1972) Humanities

Leader of the Indian Labour Movement, First Female Trade Union Leader in India, and Social Advocate

Anasuya Sarabhai was the first female trade union leader in India as well as the founder of Ahmedabad Textile, the oldest union of Indian textile workers. Although she grew up in a fairly affluent household, she encountered many difficulties in her life. Both of her parents died when she was just nine years old, which forced her into an unhappy arranged marriage by her uncle at the age of 13. As a result, she was also barred from going to school. Despite these hardships, Sarabhai traveled to England on her own to pursue an education. There, she found her calling to help others and returned to India to work with disempowered communities.

Anasuya Sarabhai deserves to be recognized for pioneering the labour movement in India and helping lead the feminist movement there. Unfortunately, she is not widely known or talked about, especially in many western countries.

“These words filled me with horror. This was the kind of slavery mill workers faced! What could I do to change this situation? Then I found out that even children worked double shifts. That troubled me to no end. I decided to do something to stop this” -Anasuya Sarabhai

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Stacey Abrams (1973 - Present) Humanities

Author, Activist, Lawyer, Congresswoman, and American Politician

Although Stacey Abrams is no novice in the political arena, her activism during the 2020 Presidential Election established her as a household name. Abrams is the first woman to pilot any party in the Georgia General Assembly and the first African American person to be the House Minority Leader in the Georgia House of Representatives.

One of Abrams’s most prestigious awards is the John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award, which recognizes an elected authority under the age of 40 whose service displays the significance of elective public service as a method to combat public challenges.

In her book, Our Time Is Now: Power, Purpose, and the Fight for a Fair America, Abrams recalls, “because I learned long ago that winning doesn’t always mean you get the prize. Sometimes you get progress, and that counts.”

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Comandista Elisa (1955 - Present) Humanities

Mexican Activist and Former Member of the Zapatista Army

Subcomandante Elisa, born as María Gloria Benavides Guevara, is a Mexican activist and former member of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, or the Zapatistas. As a subcomandante, or sub-commander, she served an important leadership role translating for Catholic peasants and fighting for social change against Mexico’s repressive standards for womxn and indigenous groups. Despite enduring multiple house raids, a wrongful arrest, and state-sponsored torture, she continued to lead the Zapatistas towards a more egalitarian future. She is currently a professor at the Autonomous University of Social Movements, an alternative education program centered around Mexican social movements.

"In the Zapatista army, men and women get along. There is democracy, there is justice, there is everything there...[W]e live together with men and do the same work.... That is what we are looking for right now. Because as a peasant woman the government does not recognize us. The woman is always down, and the man is always the boss, but right now we see that what the government says is not true. Women can also do the jobs, they can also take charge, they can also lead the same as men, that's why we are fighting so that women also have that opportunity to do those jobs." -Comandista Elisa

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Wilma Mankiller (1945 - 2010) Humanities

Cherokee Advocate and First Female Cherokee Chief

Wilma Mankiller was a Cherokee Nation activist and the first female Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Her work as Chief helped the Cherokee nation implement better housing and more job opportunities.

“The happiest people I've ever met, regardless of their profession, their social standing, or their economic status, are people that are fully engaged in the world around them. The most fulfilled people are the ones who get up every morning and stand for something larger than themselves. They are the people who care about others, who will extend a helping hand to someone in need or will speak up about an injustice when they see it.” -Wilma Mankiller

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Leila Ahmed (1940 - Present) Humanities

Scholar, Professor, and Author

Dedicated to exploring the experiences of Muslim women, Leila Ahmed has published a myriad of books and articles delving into intersectionality, in regards to feminism and religion. Ahmed encourages the demolition of linear judgement; her work is a testament to the power of multidimensional philosophy.

“Generations of astute, thoughtful women, listening to the Koran understood perfectly well its essential themes and its faith. And looking around them, they understood perfectly well, too, what a travesty men had made of it.” -Leila Ahmed

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Anna Komnene (1083 - 1153 C.E.) Humanities

Byzantine Princess, Physician, and the First Female Historian

Anna Komnene was a Byzantine princess, physician, and is widely regarded as the first female historian. She is most notable for her several volume-long work, Alexiad, which discusses her father Alexios I Komnenos’ reign.

Komnene’s work is one of the only remaining accurate sources describing the events of the First Crusade and the reign of her father, making her account invaluable to the current information database about that time, despite some bias in favor of Komnene’s father and some chronological mistakes.

“Time in its irresistible and ceaseless flow carries along on its flood all created things and drowns them in the depths of obscurity. . . . But the tale of history forms a very strong bulwark against the stream of time, and checks in some measure its irresistible flow, so that, of all things done in it, as many as history has taken over it secures and binds together, and does not allow them to slip away into the abyss of oblivion.” - Anna Komnene

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Chai Ling (1966 - Present) Humanities

Student Leader at the Tiananmen Square Protests, Founder of All Girls Allowed, and Founder of Jenzabar, Inc.

Chai Ling is a former student leader of the Tiananmen Square protests, the founder of All Girls Allowed, and the founder of Jenzabar, Inc., an organization that revolutionized higher education by creating a student-focused, cloud-based learning and management system. She has also been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Fun Fact: She was named Glamour Woman of the Year in 1990.

“I believe greater things will come, and China will be set free.” -Chai Ling

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Rosario Castellanos (1925 - 1974) Humanities

Mexican Author, Poet, and Diplomat

Rosario Castellanos is said to be one of Mexico’s most important female writers of the twentieth century. After writing her most well known work in 1950 called Sobre cultura femenina (“On Feminine Culture”), she helped modern Mexican writers become more aware about women's issues and feminism.

Castellanos's poetry expressed powerful and authentic themes of social justice and the creation of nature. Most notably, Castellanos's novel Oficio de tinieblas ("The Book of Lamenations") is regarded as one of the most important pieces of literature for the Mexican feminist movement.

"We have to laugh. Because laughter, we already know, is the first evidence of freedom." -Rosario Castellanos

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Guo Jianmei (1960 - Present) Humanities

Lawyer, Human Rights Activist, Women’s Rights Non-Profit Director

Throughout her career, Guo Jianmei has aided thousands of women in times of crisis and allowed them to receive justice. She founded multiple nonprofits for women’s rights and is one of the 1000 women who have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Additionally, she received the Simone De Beauvoir Prize in 2010, the International Women of Courage Award in 2011, and the Right Livelihood Award in 2019.

As China’s first-ever full-time public interest lawyer in legal aid, Guo has introduced pro-bono legal services for disadvantaged individuals in China. She and her team have offered legal counseling at no cost to over 120,000 Chinese women and have fought over 4000 lawsuits to advocate for women’s rights and gender equality since 1995.

Her own motivation to become a public interest lawyer comes from the fact that “so many conditions are not ripe, not to mention back then China did not even have many lawyers. To commit to this kind of work—you must be crazy!” -Guo Jianmei

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Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815 – 1902) Humanities

American Suffragist, Social Activist, and Leading Figure of the Early Women's Rights Movement

lizabeth Stanton is one of the most significant suffragettes of the American Suffrage Movement, organizing the Seneca Falls Convention in July 1848. Written by Stanton, The Declaration of Sentiments called upon women to take action and advocate for gender equality. The Declaration was signed by one hundred people at the convention. She also co-founded the National Woman Suffrage Association and The Loyal League with Susan B. Anthony.

Stanton published and edited a newspaper promoting women's rights, called the Revolution. She wrote many books, including The Woman's Bible, Solitude of Self, Eighty Years and More: Reminiscences 1815-1897, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony: Correspondence, Writings and Speeches.

She spoke of women's rights before the U.S. Congress, giving a famous speech called The Solitude of Self. Her bravery has positively impacted the life of every woman in the United States.

"Whatever the theories may be of woman's dependence on man, in the supreme moments of her life, he cannot bear her burdens. In the tragedies and triumphs of human experience, each mortal stands alone." -Elizabeth Cady Stanton

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Rajeshwari Chatterjee (1922 - 2010) Humanities

Scientist, Professor, and Feminist

Recognized as the first female faculty member of India’s prestigious Institute of Science, Rajeshwari Chatterjee opened the first microwave engineering lab in India and extensively contributed to the fields of science and engineering through research and teaching. She was an award-winning scientist that gave back to her community and empowered women to pursue their dreams and careers.

“I strongly feel that as scientists and engineers, lucky enough to have reached where we are, we should do whatever is possible to help others, especially other women, who are less privileged than us to study, work, and come up in any field that they wish to pursue.” -Rajeshwari Chatterjee

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Voltairine de Cleyre (1866 - 1912) Humanities

Anarchist Poet, Author, and Lecturer

Often acclaimed as one of the greatest female anarchists in America, Voltairine de Cleyre was a resolute pacifist and feminist, which influenced a majority of her work.

She taught English to immigrants in Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago, wrote for various magazines and papers, composed poetry, gave lectures, and advocated for pacifism and feminism her whole life.

“Think that your soul is strong and will hold its way; and slowly, through bitter struggle perhaps the strength will grow.” -Voltairine de Cleyre (1910)

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Theresa Kachindamoto (1959 - Present) Humanities

Activist, Leader, and Malawi Chief

After being selected to be chief of the Dezda district in central Malawi, Theresa Kachindamoto extended her local jurisdiction to lead efforts towards banning child marriage in both her locality and Malawi as a nation. In addition to having annulled over 2,549 child marriages by November of 2019, Kachindamoto outlawed sexual initiation camps in which young girls were subject to sexual abuse.

Theresa Kachindamoto worked to dissolve a culture consumed by the objectification of women and girls. She is a strong advocate for female representation in Malawian parliament and works to make education more accessible to all of Malawi’s youth, boys and girls alike.

“When girls are educated, everything is possible” -Theresa Kachindamoto

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Dolores Cacuango (1881 - 1971) Humanities

Activist and Founder of the Federación Ecuatoriana de Indios (FEI)

Cacuango was born into an unjust system for women and indigenous people, and she spent her life fighting for the rights of mistreated communities in Ecuador.

Cacunago played a key role in the historic workers’ strike at the Pesillo hacienda in Cayambe, in which workers stood up against the selling of their community’s land to wealthy landowners. She also personally led an assault on a government military base during the May 1944 Revolution in Ecuador.

Cacuango is known for her powerful speeches in Kichwa and Spanish and her activism for fair education and respect for women. She founded the Indigenous Federation of Ecuador (FEI) and established the first bilingual Indian schools.

“Somos como la paja del páramo que se arranca y vuelve a crecer y de paja de páramo sembraremos el mundo” [We are like the straw from the fells of the Andes, while you pull it out, it grows again. And with the straw from the fells we shall cover the world] -Dolores Cacuango

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Angela Davis (1944 - Present) Humanities

African American Activist, Philosopher, and Educator

Angela Davis is a prominent scholar and activist who has dedicated her life to serving underrepresented Americans. She is a staunch advocate for issues such as racial equality, prison reform, and gender equality. She became the most famed American political prisoner in 1971, when she was incarcerated for her alleged involvement with a prison escape attempt. Americans across the country protested her captivity before she was eventually acquitted on all charges. Since then, she has gone on to publish several books, including Women, Race, and Class and Violence Against Women and the Ongoing Challenge to Racism.

Davis is the infamous Angela behind the song “Angela” written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The song includes lyrics such as “they gave you everything but equality” to honor her struggle for equal rights of all citizens.

“It is in collectivities that we find reservoirs of hope and optimism.” -Angela Davis, Freedom is a Constant Struggle

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Encarnacion Alzona (1895 - 2001) Humanities

Filipina Historian, Scholar, and Suffragette

Encarnacion Alzona was the first Filipina woman to receive a doctorate, which she earned at Columbia University. Educated in the United States under the pensionado program, she returned home after earning multiple degrees to teach history at the University of the Philippines.

Alzona was critical of Western involvement in the Philippines. During American occupation, Alzona was vocal about injustices inflicted upon Filipinos by American officials, especially pertaining to women’s suffrage. Her feminist writings played a huge part in securing the vote for Filipina women in 1937.

In 1985, Alzona was named a National Scientist of the Philippines by President Marcos, the highest honor given to Filipino scientists. She co-founded the Philippine Historical Association in 1955, an organization that continues to shed light on forgotten Filipino history to this day.

"...the separation of Spain and the Philippines in 1898 was only political. The spiritual ties established between them...cannot be erased by a mere political event." -Encarnacion Alzona

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Olympe de Gouges (1783 - 1793) Humanities

French Feminist and Writer

Marie-Olympe de Gouges was a French writer active during the time of the French Revolution. She challenged conventional views on female inferiority, arguing instead that the oppression of women by men was the same as tyranny.

Olympe de Gouges's most famous work, The Rights of Women and the Female Citizen, gained her notoriety as a controversial figure. Inspired by Enlightenment thought, de Gouges participated in political and social causes, including the right to divorce, maternity hospitals, and the rights of orphaned children and unmarried mothers.

“Women, wake up; the tocsin of reason sounds throughout the universe; recognize your rights.” -Olympe de Gouges

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Sojourner Truth (1797 - 1883) Humanities

American Abolitionist and Women's Rights Activist

Sojourner Truth was a women’s rights activist and abolitionist who was born into slavery. After she escaped the shackles of slavery, she freed her children and helped many others gain freedom. She was also the first black woman to win a court case against a white man. Additionally, she was a strong advocate for intersectional feminism, shown in her now famous speech “Ain’t I A Woman.” She is an inspiration to many people for the struggles she overcame and her unrelenting desire to help others.

“I feel safe in the midst of my enemies, for the truth is all powerful and will prevail.” -Sojourner Truth

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Bertha Parker Pallan (1907 - 1978) Humanities

First Female Native American Archaeologist

Bertha “Birdie” Parker Pallan is known as the first female Native American archaeologist. From discovering her own findings in a pueblo site to finding evidence of the first human occupation in North America, Bertha gained recognition for her important role in these discoveries. She also documented the culture and lives of Californian Native American tribes through her position at the Southwest Museum’s journal, Masterkey.

Additionally, Bertha was able to consult with Hollywood films about the representation of Indigenous actors and culture, since she was an actor before pursuing archaeology.

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Li Maizi (1989 - Present) Humanities

Chinese Feminist and LGBTQ+ Activist

As a member of the Feminist Five, a group of young Chinese feminists, Li Maizi is an inspiring young woman and LGBTQ+ activist. Her performative protests against misogyny and bigotry transformed modern Chinese feminism. One of her performances was the “Blood Brides” performance, which gained international recognition and support.

Fun Fact: In 2015, she appeared on 100 Women(BBC), a series by BBC highlighting important 21st century women.

“Everything we did was for gender equality in China, it’s not for anything else.” -Li Maizi

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Dolores Huerta (1930 - Present) Humanities

Civil Rights Activist and American Labor Leader

As the co-founder of the United Farm Workers Organization and the person who coined the Spanish phrase “Sí se puede” (Yes we can), Dolores Huerta is an extraordinary woman who advocated for labor worker’s rights and raised awareness as a woman in politics throughout her entire life. For her dedication and commitment to the Mexican labor movement in gaining fairer wages, she earned a variety of awards such as the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights (1998), Presidential Medal of Freedom (2012), Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship (2002), and Community of Christ International Peace Award (2007). She continues to spearhead civil rights movements through her organization called the Dolores Huerta Foundation.

“Because we do need women in civic life. We do need women to run for office, to be in political office. We need a feminist to be at the table when decisions are being made so that the right decisions will be made… Because when we did this strike, and especially when all of the people went on the march to Sacramento, the women had to take over the picket lines.” -Dolores Huerta, Civil Rights Activist

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Christine Jorgensen (1926 - 1989) Humanities

Actress, Businesswoman, and Transgender Activist

Christine Jorgensen was the first American transgender woman to have her story told and popularized throughout the United States. She became a role model for transgender individuals and used her large platform to advocate for the community by writing books, giving lectures, and publishing articles in famous newspapers. She was unafraid to defy norms in order to be her true self and was one of the greatest pioneers for gender reassignment.

Jorgensen also ran a successful nightclub and acted in many theatrical productions. She spread awareness about transsexual people by giving speeches at her nightclub and after the curtain calls at the plays she acted in.

“I gave the sexual revolution a good swift kick in the pants!”-Christine Jorgensen

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Jahanara Imam (1929 - 1994) Humanities

Political Activist and Writer

Jahanara Imam was a Bangladeshi political activist and writer. She was called “Mother of Martyrs” (Shaheed Janani) for bringing justice to the people in the wake of the liberation war of Bangladesh and for raising efforts to bring war criminals to trial. Her book Ekattorer Dingulee (1986) is one of the most important and remarkable accounts of the liberation war of 1971.

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Eileen Chang (1920 - 1995) Humanities

Novelist, Playwright, and Creative Writer

In the early stages of her career, Eileen Chang gained prominence as a writer in Shanghai, China, which was then occupied by Japan. Chang fled the country after her husband, Hu Lancheng, was discovered to be a Japanese spy during the Communist takeover. Later on, her works were rediscovered and she began to write books again while also delving into writing screenplays for Hong Kong films.

Chang became known as one of the most influential Chinese novelists of the twentieth century. Her stories explored themes of love and family in the context of Communist China. Her most important contribution involved an alternative wartime story that came from first-hand accounts of Chinese salvation and revolution. Her many plays, novels, and short stories have allowed many to gain insight into the grand changes China found itself involved in, and her literary fictions have portrayed history in a more modern context.

“Books are the best friends. The only drawback is it will deepen myopia, however, still worthwhile.” -Eileen Chang

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Abby Stein (1991 - Present) Humanities

Transgender Activist

Abby Stein was the first openly transgender person to ever leave the Hasidic Jewish community. Despite being disowned by her religious community, Stein used her experiences in order to educate others about the LGBTQ+ community and help them discover their own identities. To this day, she speaks to countless groups that typically do not accept the LGBTQ community in order to create a more loving and accepting environment for all.

“Some religions might have at least a facade of a very anti-LGBT or very non-progressive culture so to speak...that you can’t be religious [as an LGBT person]...I’m telling you from personal experience that, yes, you can.” - Abby Stein

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Helen Zia (1952 - Present) Humanities

Asian American Activist, LGBTQ+ Advocate, and Feminist Author

Helen Zia is an award-winning journalist and author known for her outspoken criticism of political and social issues such as discrimination against minorities, lack of opportunities for women, hate crimes, domestic violence, and homophobia. In 1997, she testified before the US Commission on Civil Rights to relay how the media negatively impacted minority groups. Thirteen years later, in 2010, she testified as a witness before the US Supreme Court in Hollingsworth v. Perry, the case that legalized same-sex marriage in California.

Zia served as a Torchbearer stationed in San Francisco for the 2008 Beijing Olympics despite the backlash she faced.

“It is more important than ever to stand tall, and link arms, and to raise our voices and especially point to the needs of our marginalized communities: of color, of women, queer communities, immigrants.” -Helen Zia

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He-Yin Zhen (1884 - ca.1920) Humanities

Feminist Theorist and Journalist

Founder of the Women's Rights Recovery Association and the feminist journal, Tianyi, He-Yin Zhen was a pioneer in radical feminism. She introduced and spread revolutionary feminist ideas, paving the way for Chinese radicals following her. The Women’s Rights Recovery Association and Tianyi were both successful attempts at creating solidarity between Chinese women.

He-Yin Zhen was exiled to Japan, but her work still influenced many Chinese citizens.

“The goal of equality cannot be achieved except through women’s liberation.” -He-Yin Zhen

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Jane Addams (1860 - 1935) Humanities

Activist, Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Reformer, and Social Worker

Jane Addams was a driving force for the social movements throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

With the help of her friend, Ellen Gates Starr, Addams founded the Hull House─the first settlement house in the United States, in Chicago, Illinois. The purpose of the house was for educated women to share their various areas of knowledge and skills, which varied from educational subjects like art and literature to household skills, such as cooking and cleaning.

In 1931, Addams was the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and is one of history’s quintessential female leaders.

“Nothing could be worse than the fear that one had given up too soon, and left one unexpended effort that might have saved the world.” -Jane Addams

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Begum Rokeya (1880 - 1932) Humanities

Writer, Educator, & Political Activist

As a pioneer for the women’s rights movement in Southern Asia, Begum Rokeya published Sultana’s Dream, a look into a utopian society of female-driven life. Rokeya founded the Sakhawat School which offered literacy and educational opportunities to generations to come. In 1916, she created the Bengali Muslim Women’s Association, serving as a platform for increased female visibility and social progessivism.

“A lion is stronger than a man, but it does not enable him to dominate the human race. You have neglected the duty you owe to yourselves and you have lost your natural rights by shutting your eyes to your own interests.” -- Begum Rokeya, Sultana’s Dream

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Indira Goswami (1942 - 2011) Humanities

Writer, Professor, and Peace Mediator

Indira Goswami, better known by her pen name Mamoni Raisom Goswami, was a celebrated Indian writer who overcame great challenges to write extensively about underprivileged communities, such as the atrocities inflicted on Indian widows. Goswami was the recipient of several awards throughout her lifetime, including the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983, the Jnanpith (the highest literary award in India) in 2000, and the Principle Prince Claus Laureate from the Netherlands in 2008 are just three of the many.

In addition to being a prolific writer, Goswami helped mediate peace talks between the state government and the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), the Assamese rebel organization that seeked to establish Assam as an independent state. Her efforts helped initiate the People’s Consultative Group, a peace committee dedicated to sustaining peace talks between the government and ULFA.

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Anita Hill (1956 - Present) Humanities

American Lawyer, Professor, and Activist

Anita Hill is a prominent American lawyer, professor, and activist who revolutionized women’s rights in the workplace. In 1991, Hill accused Clarence Thomas, a U.S. Supreme Court nominee, of repeated sexual harassment during their time working together in the U.S. Department of Education and the Equal Opportunity Commission. As a result, Hill encouraged citizens throughout the United States to hold men accountable and to resolve hostile work environments.

Following the trial, she continued to advocate for civil rights and women’s rights, wrote Speaking Truth to Power, and co-edited Race, Gender, and Power in America: The Legacy of the Hill-Thomas Hearings. Currently, Hill continues to promote awareness of sexual harassment to create equity in the workplace and in society.

“But I think it would be irresponsible for me not to say what I really believe in my heart to be true - that there are some serious inequities that we face as women and that we can work to address these inequities.” - Anita Hill

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Grazia Maria Cosima Damiana Deledda (1871 - 1936) Humanities

Nobel Prize Winner in Literature

In 1926, Grazia Deledda became the first and only woman to this date from Italy to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. She is most notably known for her novels Elias Portolu, La Madre, Cosima, and Fior di Sardegna.

Growing up in the small town of Sardinia, Italy, Deledda attended basic elementary school while learning that she loved to write, and convinced her parents to continue her studies. Her books and collections of poems—some written under pseudonyms—mix elements of the real world with themes of tradition, moral dilemmas, and, of course, bits of feminism.

"I write novels and short stories: this is my specialty. I find it right and good that women think, study, and work. " -Grazia Maria Cosima Damiana Deledda

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Nadia Anjuman (1980 - 2005) Humanities

Feminist Poet

Author of the book Gul-e-dodi, Nadia Anjuman’s poetry spoke to the unheard women of Afghanistan for many years. The reason for her tragic death is the same reason why she started writing poetry: repression against women.

Her work still has a great impact on society today by inspiring Afghan women to speak up for themselves and their rights.

“I have loved poetry, and the chains with which six years of captivity under Taliban rule bound my feet led me to haltingly enter the arena of poetry with the foot of my pen. The encouragement of like-minded friends gave me the confidence to pursue this path, but even now when I take the first step, the tip of my pen trembles, as do I, because I do not feel safe from stumbling on this path, when the way ahead is difficult, and my steps unsteady.” -Nadia Anjuman

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Grace Lee Boggs (1915 - 2015) Humanities

Philosopher, Author, Social Activist, and Feminist

Grace Lee Boggs founded several political organizations, held lectures to demand for human rights, organized marches against racism, and wrote about her vision for an American cultural revolution. She is most known for advocating for African-American, women’s, and children’s social rights.

Her Chinese name is 玉平 (Yu Ping), which translates to “Jade Peace.”

“You cannot change any society unless you take responsibility for it, unless you see yourself as belonging to it and responsible for changing it.” -Grace Lee Boggs

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Zhang Haidi (1955 - Present) Humanities

Writer, Translator, Motivational Speaker, and Disabled Rights Activist

Zhang Haidi is the Chairwoman of China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF). With a strong mission to promote the wellbeing of persons with disabilities in China, Zhang advocates for the establishment of better workplace opportunities for persons with disabilities in China.

A paraplegic since early childhood, she has been called the Helen Keller and Pavel Korchagin of China.

"Don't sell yourself short, and try your best to build a happy family life," is her advice to other disabled individuals.

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Shirin Ebadi (1947 - Present) Humanities

Lawyer and Human Rights Activist

Shirin Ebadi was the first Iranian woman to ever serve as a judge in the Iranian justice system. However, after the Iranian Revolution in 1979, she was immediately dismissed from her position, given that the new Islamic government forbade women from serving as judges.

Justifiably upset, she went on to advocate for women and human rights. Ebadi is most well known for her work as a human rights activist and establishing the Defender of Human Rights Center, an NGO based in Iran, and winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003.

“Women are the victims of this patriarchal culture, but they are also its carriers. Let us keep in mind that every oppressive man was raised in the confines of his mother's home.” -Shirin Ebadi

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Qiu Jin (1875 - 1907) Humanities

Qing Dynasty Revolutionary, Poet, and Feminist Journalist

Qiu Jin is considered the “Joan of Arc” of China. In a male-dominated society, Qiu Jin defied traditional Confucian gender norms and pursued her ambitions. She became a revolutionary martyr for women’s liberation: she spoke out against arranged marriages, foot binding, and urged women to get an education. She also founded a school and started China’s first feminist magazine.

“Feet bound so tiny, hair combed so shiny; tied, edged, and decorated with flowers and bouquets. We spend our lives only knowing how to rely on men- for everything we wear and eat we rely on men.”-Qiu Jin

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Matile Hidalgo de Procel (1889 - 1974) Humanities

Physician, Poet, and Women’s Suffrage Advocate

Matilde Hidalgo de Procel was the first woman in Ecuador to gain a medical bachelors and doctorate degree at a university, the first woman to vote in Ecuador, and the first woman elected into the government of Ecuador as Vice President of the Municipal Council.

Matilde was awarded with a National Merit Award by Presidential Decree in 1956, and even became a founding member of the Medical Federation of Ecuador

“The woman is a mystical temple where hope is locked, that the homeland in the distance has managed to see. But, in order to wisely fulfill her divine mission, she must wander through the blue immensity…” “El Deber de la Mujer” (The Duty of Women) by Matilde Hidalgo de Procel

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Sedigheh Dolatabadi (1882 - 1961) Humanities

Feminist Journalist and Philanthropist

Founder of the magazine, Zaban e Zanan, Sedigheh Dolatabadi fought for women's rights in Iran her whole life. Through journalism, Dolatabadi founded the first women's magazine (for women by women) in Iran as well as became the first Iranian woman to speak at an international conference. Through philanthropy, Dolatabadi founded the first all-girls school in Iran and founded another school for underprivileged girls.

After her death, Dolatabadi's tomb was desecrated by Islamic vigilantes who fought against her progressive beliefs.

"I will never forgive women who visit my grave veiled" -Sedigheh Dolatabadi

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