March is Women's History Month and today (March 8th) is International Women's Day. Women have been breaking barriers since the beginning of time, so let's celebrate some amazing women!
Who was the first woman to lead an armed military operation in the United States? Harriet Tubman
- Most people know that Harriet Tubman helped slaves escape through the Underground Railroad, but during the Civil War she also became the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the Combahee River Raid which helped liberate 700 slaves.
Who was the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize? Edith Wharton (1921)
- It was for her 1920 novel "The Age of Innocence" which inspired Cecily Von Ziegesar's "Gossip Girl" book series.
Who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize? Marie Curie
- She's also the only woman to win it twice. First for physics in 1903 and again for chemistry in 1911!
Who proposed the Equal Rights Amendment for the first time? Alice Paul (1923)
- Although it still took Congress 50 years to approve it! The Equal Rights Amendment was finally passed in 1972.
Who was the first woman to cross the Atlantic in an airplane? Amelia Earhart (1928)
- It took her 20 hours! In 1937 she then attempted to be the first pilot of any gender to circumnavigate the globe at the Equator, but sadly disappeared while on her journey.
Who was the first woman to become a Fortune 500 CEO? Katherine Graham (1972)
- Under her leadership "The Washington Post" flourished and broke the story of the Watergate scandal.
Who was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Aretha Franklin
- "The Queen of Soul" was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 3rd, 1987
Who was the first women to win the Oscar for Best Director? Kathryn Bigelow in 2010
- She won for her 2008 film "The Hurt Locker" which also won 6 other awards including the Oscar for Best Picture.
Learn about more female trailblazers here.