notable women
jane addams
(1860 - 1935)
Jane Addams is most well known as the founder of the Hull House, first American Woman Nobel Peace Prize winner, charter member of the NAACP, and her influential work in women’s rights and labor laws. Before Jane began any of her positive contributions to society, she lived in Cedarville, Illinois, with her large family. Jane refused to marry and did not enjoy playing ‘woman of the house.’ Instead, she was sent to visit Europe for about a year to broaden her horizons with the hope that she would realize her purpose as a woman was to serve the household. However, while in London Jane met with founder of the Toynbee House, which was a settlement house in the slums of London. Jane and her close friend Ellen Starr decided that giving back to the underprivileged area of Chicago by opening up the Hull House would be a perfect way to enrich the community. The Hull House provided several services to residents such as legal aid, medical care, child care, classes for immigrants and other extra curricular activities such as dance, art, and drama. During the Great Depression the Hull House was used to serve over two-thousand people. Not only did Jane Adams create the Hull House, but she was also the first vice-president of the National American Women Suffrage Association and organized the Women’s Peace Party and International Congress of Women during World War II. Among all of Jane’s accomplishments she also wrote a book titled Twenty Years at Hull House and campaigned for President Franklin Roosevelt. Jane Addams proves to be a very influential women in history for her selfless service to all people in need.
Jane Addams is most well known as the founder of the Hull House, first American Woman Nobel Peace Prize winner, charter member of the NAACP, and her influential work in women’s rights and labor laws. Before Jane began any of her positive contributions to society, she lived in Cedarville, Illinois, with her large family. Jane refused to marry and did not enjoy playing ‘woman of the house.’ Instead, she was sent to visit Europe for about a year to broaden her horizons with the hope that she would realize her purpose as a woman was to serve the household. However, while in London Jane met with founder of the Toynbee House, which was a settlement house in the slums of London. Jane and her close friend Ellen Starr decided that giving back to the underprivileged area of Chicago by opening up the Hull House would be a perfect way to enrich the community. The Hull House provided several services to residents such as legal aid, medical care, child care, classes for immigrants and other extra curricular activities such as dance, art, and drama. During the Great Depression the Hull House was used to serve over two-thousand people. Not only did Jane Adams create the Hull House, but she was also the first vice-president of the National American Women Suffrage Association and organized the Women’s Peace Party and International Congress of Women during World War II. Among all of Jane’s accomplishments she also wrote a book titled Twenty Years at Hull House and campaigned for President Franklin Roosevelt. Jane Addams proves to be a very influential women in history for her selfless service to all people in need.
regina jonas
(1902 - 1944)
Having started her career as a teacher, Jonas took classes for the Science of Judaism in Berlin. She graduated as an Academic Teacher of Religion. Post graduation, Jonas felt the desire to become a rabbi. Since females could not take on this position at the time, she wrote a thesis called “Can a Woman Be a Rabbi According to Halachic Sources?” After examining and researching various Jewish sources, Jonas supported her thesis and concluded that woman can become rabbis. Upon submission, her former teachers declined her request. Finally, on December 27, 1935, Jonas was ordained by Rabbi Max Dienemann, head of the Liberal Rabbis’ Association, giving her recognition as Judaism's first woman rabbi. Jonas’ work included chaplain in various Jewish social institutions. In the late 1930’s she began to do pulpit work after filling in for Rabis arrested or killed by the Nazis. After being taken into custody herself and brought to a concentration camp, Jonas helped Jewish prisoners cope with the shock of life within the concentration camp. In 1944, Jonas was deported to Auschwitz, where she was murdered. Jonas’ determination and inspiration shed a positive light on the most mournful conditions, proving her to be a true shero in history.
Having started her career as a teacher, Jonas took classes for the Science of Judaism in Berlin. She graduated as an Academic Teacher of Religion. Post graduation, Jonas felt the desire to become a rabbi. Since females could not take on this position at the time, she wrote a thesis called “Can a Woman Be a Rabbi According to Halachic Sources?” After examining and researching various Jewish sources, Jonas supported her thesis and concluded that woman can become rabbis. Upon submission, her former teachers declined her request. Finally, on December 27, 1935, Jonas was ordained by Rabbi Max Dienemann, head of the Liberal Rabbis’ Association, giving her recognition as Judaism's first woman rabbi. Jonas’ work included chaplain in various Jewish social institutions. In the late 1930’s she began to do pulpit work after filling in for Rabis arrested or killed by the Nazis. After being taken into custody herself and brought to a concentration camp, Jonas helped Jewish prisoners cope with the shock of life within the concentration camp. In 1944, Jonas was deported to Auschwitz, where she was murdered. Jonas’ determination and inspiration shed a positive light on the most mournful conditions, proving her to be a true shero in history.
alice paul
(1855 - 1977)
Alice Paul was an American suffragist and activist. She believed that women had more to offer than traditional gender roles allowed for. Along with Lucy Burns and other suffragists, she led a campaign to protest Washington for the right to vote on the day that President Woodrow Wilson was inaugurated. She founded the National American Woman’s Suffrage Association (NAWSA). She was imprisoned for her actions and famously endured a hunger strike, insisting that women were equal and deserved equal rights. Finally, in 1919 the Ninetieth Amendment was added to the United States Constitution, granting women the right to vote.
Alice Paul was an American suffragist and activist. She believed that women had more to offer than traditional gender roles allowed for. Along with Lucy Burns and other suffragists, she led a campaign to protest Washington for the right to vote on the day that President Woodrow Wilson was inaugurated. She founded the National American Woman’s Suffrage Association (NAWSA). She was imprisoned for her actions and famously endured a hunger strike, insisting that women were equal and deserved equal rights. Finally, in 1919 the Ninetieth Amendment was added to the United States Constitution, granting women the right to vote.
clara barton
(1821 - 1912)
During childhood, Barton’s father would share stories with her of when he was a soldier, causing her to have a large interest in the military. At the age of 15, Barton began teaching, which she did until the age of 33. She then moved to Washington D.C., rushing to provide care and supplies to the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment. Barton then became heavily involved in assisting injured soldiers. During the Battle of Bull Run in the Civil War, Barton ran out of supplies and posted an ad in the local newspaper asking for donations. Having been very successful, Barton then expanded her role and traveled to where the ill soldiers were taken to further care of them during the remainder of the war. Following the war, Barton became very involved in various groups and soon became a member in the suffrage movement and a blacks rights activist. After traveling to Europe in 1869, Barton helped the International Red Cross, receiving an Iron Cross of Merit. Upon arriving back in America, Barton founded the first Red Cross and organized the National Society of the Red Cross.
During childhood, Barton’s father would share stories with her of when he was a soldier, causing her to have a large interest in the military. At the age of 15, Barton began teaching, which she did until the age of 33. She then moved to Washington D.C., rushing to provide care and supplies to the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment. Barton then became heavily involved in assisting injured soldiers. During the Battle of Bull Run in the Civil War, Barton ran out of supplies and posted an ad in the local newspaper asking for donations. Having been very successful, Barton then expanded her role and traveled to where the ill soldiers were taken to further care of them during the remainder of the war. Following the war, Barton became very involved in various groups and soon became a member in the suffrage movement and a blacks rights activist. After traveling to Europe in 1869, Barton helped the International Red Cross, receiving an Iron Cross of Merit. Upon arriving back in America, Barton founded the first Red Cross and organized the National Society of the Red Cross.
hillary clinton
(1947 - Present)
Before the role of First Lady, Hillary Clinton proved to be a highly successful female lawyer. Having been a highly influential partner to her husband, President Bill Clinton, Hillary proved to be very knowledgeable when it came to politics. After her husband’s presidency, Mrs. Clinton decided to obtain the U.S. Senate seat from New York. After winning, Clinton became the first wife of a president to seek and win national office and the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate from New York. In early 2007, Hillary Clinton announced that she planned to strive for a much higher goal, to be the first female president. In the 2008 Democratic primaries, Senator Clinton conceded her nomination when it was obvious that nominee Barack Obama had the majority of the delegate vote. Shortly after winning the presidency, President Obama appointed Clinton as U.S. Secretary of State, making her the first female to serve in a president’s cabinet. During her term as secretary of state, Clinton used her position to make women's rights and human rights a central talking point of U.S. initiatives. She became one of the most traveled secretaries of state in American history, and promoted the use of social media to convey the country's positions.
Before the role of First Lady, Hillary Clinton proved to be a highly successful female lawyer. Having been a highly influential partner to her husband, President Bill Clinton, Hillary proved to be very knowledgeable when it came to politics. After her husband’s presidency, Mrs. Clinton decided to obtain the U.S. Senate seat from New York. After winning, Clinton became the first wife of a president to seek and win national office and the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate from New York. In early 2007, Hillary Clinton announced that she planned to strive for a much higher goal, to be the first female president. In the 2008 Democratic primaries, Senator Clinton conceded her nomination when it was obvious that nominee Barack Obama had the majority of the delegate vote. Shortly after winning the presidency, President Obama appointed Clinton as U.S. Secretary of State, making her the first female to serve in a president’s cabinet. During her term as secretary of state, Clinton used her position to make women's rights and human rights a central talking point of U.S. initiatives. She became one of the most traveled secretaries of state in American history, and promoted the use of social media to convey the country's positions.
Dr. susan smith mckinney
(1847 - 1918)
Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Steward had many professional accomplishments in her life. She was the first African American woman to earn a Medical Doctorate in New York State, graduating valedictorian with her M.D. in 1870. She was a mix of different ethnicities including: European, African, and Shinnecock Indian Heritage. Susan McKinney Steward created a private practice in Brooklyn from 1870-1895. Susan also helped with co-founding the Brooklyn Women’s Homeopathic Hospital and Dispensary. This was meant to serve the needs of the African American Community. Susan also practiced at the Brooklyn Home for Aged Colored People, as well as served as a board member. Dr. Steward has specialties in prenatal care and childhood diseases. In 1898 Dr. Susan McKinney Steward was hired at Wilberforce University in Ohio to teach health and nutrition. She did many different activities, which included local missionary work and women’s suffrage advocacy. Some of this work included being the president of the Brooklyn Women’s Christian Temperance Union. She also gave a presentation titled “Colored Women in America” and “Women in Medicine.”
Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Steward had many professional accomplishments in her life. She was the first African American woman to earn a Medical Doctorate in New York State, graduating valedictorian with her M.D. in 1870. She was a mix of different ethnicities including: European, African, and Shinnecock Indian Heritage. Susan McKinney Steward created a private practice in Brooklyn from 1870-1895. Susan also helped with co-founding the Brooklyn Women’s Homeopathic Hospital and Dispensary. This was meant to serve the needs of the African American Community. Susan also practiced at the Brooklyn Home for Aged Colored People, as well as served as a board member. Dr. Steward has specialties in prenatal care and childhood diseases. In 1898 Dr. Susan McKinney Steward was hired at Wilberforce University in Ohio to teach health and nutrition. She did many different activities, which included local missionary work and women’s suffrage advocacy. Some of this work included being the president of the Brooklyn Women’s Christian Temperance Union. She also gave a presentation titled “Colored Women in America” and “Women in Medicine.”