Monday, March 8, 2021

Remarkable Women


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Originally, in recognition of International Women's Day, I planned to select one influential woman and write about her. However, I found it impossible to choose just one. Instead, here is a partial list of the influential women I admire.

Learn about some incredible women

To introduce you to these women, I linked either a biography, a historical novel, a book written by them, a class they've taught, a documentary, a film, an interview, or a short article. (Some of these links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on them, I may be compensated but at no additional expense to you.)

To be truthful, I haven't read/seen all the material I've referenced in their entirety yet, but I want to. I did take Jane Goodall's Masterclass, and I learned that she is not just a scientist who did amazing work with chimpanzees, but an activist devoted to conservation. Her passion for preserving the environment is contagious. 

This list of remarkable women is by no means complete, in fact, it is just the tip of a very large iceberg when it comes to women who deserve to be recognized and celebrated. I finally had to stop jotting down names (even though so many more came to mind) so I could write and publish this today.

Let's make International Women's Day obsolete.

I look forward to when (hopefully in my lifetime) women no longer have to fight for recognition and equality. When all people are truly equal we won't have to celebrate "International Women's Day." Instead, maybe we will celebrate "International Human's Day." The successes of women like the ones I list here are helping to make that possible.

Which of these amazing women will you decide to learn about first?

Remarkable Women

This list is grouped by category for ease of reference, but many of these women would fit equally well under more than one sub-title. Names are listed in no particular order, other than simply as I thought of them.

Women in politics and leadership: 

Women in science and medicine: 

Women in the literary arts: 

Women and human rights 

Women in sports

Missy Franklin and my daughter, two strong young women with million-dollar smiles. The very friendly, kind, and humble Olympian casually chatted and took photos with swimmers as they were warming-up and cooling-down during a swim meet in 2013. (Image by Susan Foster.)

Women in the military, NASA, and in kitchens

Women and music and acting

Women of faith and service

Women in my life

Dr. Jessie Boyd Scriver, mentioned above, was my great aunt. I was quite young when my dad explained to me how ground-breaking her medical career had been. That was the first time I became aware of gender inequality.

I've been lucky in my life to have many remarkable women as my role models. My mom, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, good friends, co-workers, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and daughter have positively influenced me in a myriad of ways. I am grateful and admire all of them, and the women listed above, and the many women I inadvertently left off from this list, but who most certainly deserve a mention here. 


Which remarkable women would you add to this list?

Please keep social distancing, wear a mask, wash your hands, get vaccinated, and stay healthy!
This post contains affiliate links. The opinions expressed, however, are entirely my own.


 







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3 comments :

  1. Elephant's ChildMarch 8, 2021 at 10:11 PM

    Like you I long for the day that International Women's Day is a historical anomaly. Sadly I cannot see it happening anytime soon.
    I applaud those who succeed despite the obstacles in their way, and mourn for the many who do not. They, and the world are diminished.

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  2. Diane Stringam TolleyMarch 9, 2021 at 10:43 AM

    Fantastic list, Susan! You found all of mine. I would add only Jeanette Rankin, first woman elected to congress.
    I wonder what our world would be without even one of these greats! I was listening to a speech today about women and the speaker talked about the force for good women have been and definitely will be. It was beautiful!
    Thank you for this today, Susan!

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    Replies
    1. Susan March 9, 2021 at 12:40 PM

      Oh, how could I have forgotten to include Jeanette Rankin. She is a favorite of mine!

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