Impactful Women of the 20th Century

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As Women’s History Month begins, it's important to remember people who have made this month possible. Three women who have impacted women's rights are Amelia Erhart, Mary Ware Dennett and Princess Diana, who fought for the rights of not only girls but those who had no voice and were discriminated against.

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Amelia Erhart
Known as a famous aviator, Amelia Erhart was one of the first female pioneers! Born on July 24, 1897, Erhart is known for her activism towards rights for women and stepping out of the norms for females at that time. She became more renowned in 1928 when a publisher got Erhart to become the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, showing what women can succeed at doing outside their boundaries. Sadly, on June 1, 1937, Erhart was seeking to become the first woman to fly across the world but tragically lost her life after her plane's radio signal was lost and her plane crashed. She was later declared dead on Jan. 5, 1939, after search and rescue attempts were unsuccessful. She was a brilliant, talented woman who inspires many young girls to step out of their comfort zone and do what they're passionate about.

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Princess Diana
Diana, Princess of Wales, was known for her activism, beauty and charm. She wasn't afraid of what others thought of her, like shaking hands with ill children when others were afraid to even touch or go near them. Born on July 1, 1961, she grew up in Norfolk but later grew up to be what the world knows her as today, Lady Diana. Diana soon married the Prince of Wales in London on July 29, 1981. From there, she had two children, Prince Harry and Prince William, and started to attend fundraisers and events for young children. She used her fame to advocate for mental health, domestic violence, leprosy, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS). After separating from the Prince of Wales, her life was sadly lost on Aug. 31, 1997, in a brutal, fatal car crash. Her charisma and capability to put others before her allowed her to give a voice to those suffering in silence.

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Mary Ware Dennett
Mary Ware Dennett was born in the United States in 1872 and is known as one of the first reformers regarding women's rights. She was an advocate for birth control and women's health, which was often overlooked. In the 1920s, she was the leader of the birth-control reform with the initiative to legalize it for everyone. As a reformer, she fought for not only reproductive rights and sex education but also advocated for the anti-war movement. In 1915, she co-founded the National Birth Control League with the primary goal of providing contraceptives and proper education to vulnerable women throughout the United States.