Women Who Changed the World
March is Women's History Month, which is a great time to reflect on the achievements of women who have revolutionized modern society. Although every woman has undoubtedly made an impact on the world, here are a few who paved the way for gender equality that we can learn more about and celebrate together!
Jane Addams was a social reform advocate and suffragette in the 1800s. She created the Hull-House in a poor Chicago neighborhood to help immigrant communities gather. At the time, women were treated unequally, and had fewer rights than men. To fight against this adversity, Jane Addams, along with the others at Hull-House, supported the abolishing of child labor, labor unions, safer working conditions for women in factories, and many more. In 1919, Addams founded the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, after openly petitioning against World War I. For all her life, she was passionate about social good and her work continues to influence American legislation in today’s world.
Rosalind Franklin became a scientist in the 1900s despite the social norms at the time, where women were discouraged from attending university. After gaining her doctorate in chemistry, she led a research project to discover the structure of DNA. However, Franklin’s male colleagues took credit for her X-ray photos of a DNA strand, and they eventually earned the Nobel Prize for her research. Franklin was not credited by the scientific community until much later, although she made vital contributions to the project. Franklin’s discoveries have led to revolutionary research and findings in the scientific community, and her DNA structures continue to be taught throughout schools across the country.
Despite women not yet being able to vote, Jeannette Rankin was the first Congresswoman to be elected in 1916. For years, she openly supported and fought for women’s suffrage. Her pacifist views led her to be the only Congressmember to vote against United States participation in World War I and World War II. Similarly to Jane Addams, she was an officer of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and advocated for more reasonable working hours for women and higher women’s wages in factories. Rankin’s voice played a vital role in advancing women’s rights in America.
Women have made immense milestones in human rights, scientific discovery, politics, and many other fields, for all people. It’s important to recognize their achievements, despite the barriers they have faced in society because of their gender.
