Trailblazing Woman: Aretha Franklin

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Aretha Franklin was a singer and pianist who defined the golden age of soul music in the 1960s. She was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is one of the most honored artists in Grammy history.

ARETHA FRANKLIN (1942-2018) Aretha Franklin was a singer and pianist who defined the golden age of soul music in the 1960s. She was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is one of the most honored artists in Grammy history. Franklin was born in 1942 in Memphis, … Read more

Trailblazing Woman: Dr.Marie Maynard Daly

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Dr. Marie Maynard Daly was an American biochemist whose research helped advance the fields of molecular biology, cell metabolism, and cardiovascular disease. She was the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. degree in chemistry in the United States.

DR. MARIE MAYNARD DALY (1921-2003) Dr. Marie Maynard Daly was an American biochemist whose research helped advance the fields of molecular biology, cell metabolism, and cardiovascular disease. She was the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. degree in chemistry in the United States. Marie Maynard Daly was born in Queens, NY in 1921. … Read more

Trailblazing Woman: Michelle Obama

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Michelle Obama is a lawyer, writer, philanthropist, and former First Lady. As First Lady, she focused her attention on social issues such as poverty, education, and healthy living.

MICHELLE OBAMA (b. 1964) Michelle Obama is a lawyer, writer, philanthropist, and former First Lady. As First Lady, she focused her attention on social issues such as poverty, education, and healthy living. Michelle LaVaughn Robinson was born in 1964 in Chicago, IL and has an older brother. Raised with an emphasis on education, she and … Read more

Trailblazing Woman: Barbara Smith

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Barbara Smith is a Black lesbian feminist pioneer, scholar, activist, lecturer, author, and publisher. 

BARBARA SMITH (b. 1946) Barbara Smith is a Black lesbian feminist pioneer, scholar, activist, lecturer, author, and publisher.  Smith was born in Ohio in 1946 and has a twin sister named Beverly. Their mother died when they were 9, leaving her in the care of her grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Academics and activism were … Read more

Trailblazing Woman: Katherine Johnson

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Katherine Johnson was one of NASA’s human computers, performing the complex calculations that enabled humans to go to space and return home safely.

KATHERINE JOHNSON (1918-2020) Katherine Johnson was one of NASA’s human computers, performing the complex calculations that enabled humans to go to space and return home safely.  Katherine Johnson (née Coleman) was born in 1918 in West Virginia. She was a bright child with a gift for numbers and complete 8th grade by the time she … Read more

Trailblazing Woman: Miss Major Griffin-Gracy

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Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, often referred to as Miss Major, is an American author, activist, and organization for transgender rights. She has spent the last 50 years fighting for her trans and gender noncomforming community.

MISS MAJOR GRIFFIN-GRACY (b. 1940s) Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, often referred to as Miss Major, is an American author, activist, and organizer for transgender rights. She has spent the last 50 years fighting for her trans and gender noncomforming community.  Miss Major was born in Chicago, IL in the 1940s and assigned male at birth (AMAB). … Read more

Trailblazing Woman: Pauli Murray

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Pauli Murray was a civil rights activist, advocate, legal scholar, and later in life, an Episcopal priest. Murray’s work influenced the civil rights movement and helped to expand legal protections for gender equality.

PAULI MURRAY (1910-1985) Pauli Murray was a civil rights activist, advocate, legal scholar, and later in life, an Episcopal priest. Murray’s work influenced the civil rights movement and helped to expand legal protections for gender equality. Murray — born Anna Pauline Murray — was born in Maryland and was the fourth of six children. Murray’s mother … Read more