WOMEN

Mattel Adds an Eleanor Roosevelt Barbie to Its ‘Inspiring Women’ Series

Eleanor Roosevelt is joining Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, Sally Ride, and other ‘Inspiring Women’ Barbies.

A new scout receiving her Eagle Scout neckerchief at a regional ceremony in Tacoma, Washington.

Almost 1000 Young Women Just Became the First Female Eagle Scouts in Boy Scout History

Only about 6 percent of all scouts ever become Eagle Scouts—the Boy Scouts’s highest rank. These young women went above and beyond to earn it.

6 Groundbreaking Facts About Elizabeth Blackwell, America’s First Woman Physician

When she graduated from medical school in 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell earned more than an M.D.: she also earned the distinction of becoming America’s first woman doctor.

The Trailblazing Story of Alexandrine Tinné, the Victorian Explorer Who Attempted to Cross the Sahara Desert

Alexine Tinné's quests to find the source of the Nile River and cross the Sahara Desert were no luxury holiday.

Frieda Belinfante (left) and Henriëtte Hilda Bosmans, her then-partner.

When Europe's First Female Orchestra Conductor Foiled the Nazis While Defying Gender Expectations

Frieda Belinfante realized she wasn’t destined to be a part of the orchestra—she was meant to lead it. But the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands during World War II put her career on hold.

Schlesinger Library, RIAS, Harvard University // No Known Copyright Restrictions

Alice Dunnigan, the First Black Woman Journalist to Get White House Press Credentials

Alice Dunnigan overcame racism, sexism, and other obstacles to make history as the first Black woman credentialed to cover the White House.

Iberia Airlines, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY 2.0

The Story Behind Eva Perón’s Secret Lobotomy

At the end of her life, Eva Perón was suffering from painful cancer and displaying erratic behavior, and her lobotomy may have been a way to treat both problems.

Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna Receive Nobel Prize in Chemistry for CRISPR Gene Editing Tool

Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna have been awarded 2020's Nobel Prize in Chemistry, making them the first women to jointly receive the prize.

Madame Restell as imagined in the March 13, 1847, edition of the National Police Gazette.

When 'The Wickedest Woman of New York' Lived on Fifth Avenue

When Ann Trow Sommers first arrived in New York City in 1831, she had no idea how notorious and vilified she’d soon become. In a matter of years, she’d craft a whole new identity for herself as Madame Restell, a prominent and wealthy abortionist.

Kenya's Wangari Maathai isn't a household name, but she should be.

Meet Nina Chhita, the Artist Celebrating Diverse Female Scientists With Her Instagram Illustrations

From ‘Hidden Figure’ Katherine Johnson to female Nobel Laureates you may not have heard of, Nina Chhita's Instagram is giving us some important history lessons.

Stories of important and influential women will be given more visibility thanks to grants from the National Park Foundation.

The National Park Foundation Will Spend Nearly $500,000 to Elevate the Stories of Pioneering Women Throughout History

The National Park Foundation is using 23 grants to give influential women and their stories a place of prominence at National Park Service sites across the country.

Sorghaghtani Beki, Genghis Khan's daughter-in-law, was a powerful ruler.

When Mongol Queens Ruled the Silk Road

The daughters of Genghis Khan ruled nations that controlled the Silk Road, the favored route for trading spices, cloth, pottery, and other goods between China, India, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean.

10 Fierce Facts About Bella Abzug

“Larger than life” sums up Bella Abzug. The New York-based Democratic congresswoman gained 1970s notoriety with her big hats and bold feminist voice.

Cats can ruin a relationship before it even gets started, according to science.

Study: Women Are Less Attracted to Men Who Have Cats In Their Dating Profile Pics

A survey of hundreds of women demonstrated that dating profiles showing men holding cats are perceived as less desirable.

Gloria Steinem is the face of feminism and the reason it's cool to put your glasses on over your hair.

15 Trailblazing Facts About Gloria Steinem

Gloria Steinem is so much more than the world’s most famous feminist—she’s also Christian Bale’s stepmother.

Opening a door was nearly as taxing as an actual 19th-century workout.

Victorian Women Worked Out, Too—They Just Did It Wearing Corsets

Victorian women weren’t exactly doing HIIT workouts—in fact, they were trying not to break a sweat at all.

Work blanket? Check. Hot tea? Check. Writing gloves? Check.

Winter is Coming: Why Some People Seem to Feel Colder Than Others

If you own a work sweater and have a space heater under your desk, your individual perception of cold might differ from that of your co-workers.

John Lennon (left) and Paul McCartney (right) from The Beatles.

10 Chance Meetings That Changed the World

Whether you call it destiny or coincidence, there's no denying that these chance encounters changed the world.

Remembering Sara Little Turnbull, Whose Bra Cup Design Became the N95 Mask

Design expert Sara Little Turnbull was consulting for 3M in 1958 when she was tasked with creating a better bra cup. Eventually, her design would inspire the N95 mask.

The Smithsonian Needs Your Help Transcribing Sally Ride’s Notebooks

There are nearly 40,000 documents from Sally Ride’s career in the Smithsonian’s archives, and you can help make them more accessible.

Mulan faces off against a menacing Hun during the climax of Disney's Mulan (1998).

11 Memorable Facts About Disney’s Mulan

Gear up for Disney’s live-action ‘Mulan’ with entertaining tidbits about the 1998 animated classic and the story that inspired it.

This bag features many prominent women scientists.

Celebrate Trailblazing Women in Science With This Tote Bag

This bag is decorated with the faces of pioneers like Ada Lovelace, Sally Ride, and many more scientists who paved the way for others.

Gracie Allen laughed her way to a presidential run in 1940.

How Gracie Allen and the Surprise Party Got 1940s America Excited to Vote

Although the stunt was obviously a joke, “Vote for Gracie” buttons popped up around the U.S. Harvard students pledged their support for Allen’s campaign.

An 1888 issue of Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper depicts women's suffrage in the Wyoming territory.

Why Wyoming Women Were Granted Voting Rights 50 Years Before the 19th Amendment

More than 50 years before the 19th Amendment, legislators in the Wyoming Territory passed a bill granting women voting rights.

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