Women in History

This is a blog to recognize important women who have changed history or improved the lives of others. I am always open to suggestions of who you'd like you see recognized or submit your own!

Permalink Edmonia Lewis This woman paved the way for African Americans through art. She was the first identified African American sculpter. She shocked those who believed that African American’s didn’t have the capacity for such intelligence and artistic capabilities. She combined perspective, talent, and emotion. She also insisted on making sculptures of those who were her heros. Black abolitionists and courageous women like Cleopatra. After being accused of poisoning white women and stealing supplies for her art, Edmonia moved east to Europe. She first went to Florence where she was welcomed by Hiram Powers, America’s most famous sculptor. After Florence she made her way to Rome where she worked with other famous women sculptors of the time. Her masterwork was The Death of Cleopatra, a striking portrayal of Cleopatra after she was bitten by her asp. It gave Edmonia both acclaim and controversy for showing Cleopatra in such in intimate way. This was atypical of the often portrayed beauty and strength. 
Permalink a-riot-in-the-heart: “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to control and change your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward”             — Amelia Earhart
Permalink Isadora Duncan This innovated woman is known to the world as the mother of modern dance. She founded the New System of interpretive dance. She put poetry, music and the rhythms of nature.  Isadora didn’t believe in the formality of conventional ballet. She gave birth to the more free form of dance. She danced barefoot and in simple Greek apparel. The viewers of her dancing recognized her for being a passionate dancer and became the most famous dancer of her time world wide.
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Sometimes questions are more important than answers.

Permalink faineemae: World’s youngest mayor: 15-year-old teenage girl in Palestine A 15-year-old Palestinian girl took office as the mayor of a West Bank town and became the youngest person in the world to occupy this position.As part of an initiative to empower youth and involve them in the decision-making process, Bashaer Othman will be the mayor of the town of Allar in the city of Tulkarm in the northwestern West Bank for two months.Othman is in charge of all matters related to the municipality of Allar and which include supervising employees and signing all official documents with the exception of financial ones. Othman is working under the supervision of elected mayor Sufian Shadid who expressed his enthusiasm for the teengar’s appointment as a step towards supporting youth.“There are many ways of supporting youth other than financial means. First, we should make sure we remove obstacles that might stand in their way and with determination and perseverance we can do so,” he said. For Othman, the new position constitutes a major challenge that she is hoping she can be up to.“I want to go through this experience in order to be able to share it with other youth so that they can be prepared for running state institutions in the future,” she said.
Permalink coolchicksfromhistory: Patsy Mink (1927-2002) -The first woman of color in the US Congress -The first Asian American to run for president (1972 Democratic primaries) -Represented Hawaii for 12 terms -Authored Title IX -Served as Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs under Carter -As a student at the University of Nebraska, mobilized a coalition to end segregated student housing -Mother of social justice advocate Gwendolyn (Wendy) Mink
Permalink Clelia Duel Mosher December 16, 1863 – December 21, 1940, A physician and women’s hygienist who disproved the theory that women are physically inferior to men. Her most famous work, published posthumously, was a survey that she began in 1892 as an undergraduate when preparing to lecture on the “Marital Relation”. It is the only known existing survey of Victorian women’s sexual habits. Mosher has done research on menstruation as well as sexual habits, promoting healthy sexual activity for Victorian women. Mosher dedicated her life to women’s health research, and as a result never married.
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Every woman is worth celebrating.

Permalink Gertrude Ederle This is one truly strong woman! Both physically and emotionally for she was the first woman to swim across the English Channel! In 1924 this strong woman won 3 medals in the Olympic Games and only 2 years later she was taking on a challenge for the history books! It took her 14 hours and 31 minutes to swim across, a challange that rewarded her with much praise. It also happened to be the shortest time, beating out any man’s time to swim across the English Channel. 
Permalink Jeannette Rankin The first woman elected to be in the House of Representatives. This American woman was the first and she continued to do our country proud. She was a republican pacifist that voted against all bills of war, even if she was the only one to speak. Serving in many anti-war campaigns, she deffinately made her mark in history! She was active in campaigning for women’s suffrage. This woman was also the first to serve in the US Congress, she served on the 77th congress.  Since Jeannette had paved the way in 1917, only 277 women have served in the US House of Representatives or Senate.