Trailblazing Woman: Wangari Maathai

by
Wangari Maathai was born in Nyeri, Kenya (Africa) in 1940. She was a social, environmental, and political activist who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. Her work was often considered to be subversive and unwelcome, stepping far outside traditional gender roles.

WANGARI MAATHAI (1940-2011) Wangari Maathai was born in Nyeri, Kenya (Africa) in 1940. She was a social, environmental, and political activist who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. Her work was often considered to be subversive and unwelcome, stepping far outside traditional gender roles. Maathai was educated in Kenya, Germany, and the United … Read more

Trailblazing Woman: Mother George

by
Mother George was a Black trans woman who lived in Grays Lake, Idaho throughout the late 19th century. Over the course of her life, she delivered 1,000+ children for Black and White families alike. | madewithlev.com

MOTHER GEORGE (c. 1846 – c. 1919) Mother George was a Black trans woman and midwife who lived in Grays Lake, Idaho throughout the late 19th century. Over the course of her life, she delivered over 1,000 children for both Black and white families.  With the support of her Native American mother, Mother George was … Read more

Trailblazing Woman: Barbara Smith Conrad

by
Barbara Smith Conrad, opera singer, educator, and civil rights pioneer

BARBARA SMITH CONRAD (1937-2017) Barbara Conrad (née Barbara Louise Smith) was an internationally acclaimed opera singer, educator, and civil rights pioneer.  Conrad, the youngest of five children, was born and raised in an all-black town in Texas. In 1956, Conrad was one of 104 Black students to be admitted to the University of Texas in … Read more

Trailblazing Woman: Angela Davis

by
Angela Davis is an American political activist, revolutionary icon, professor, and author who was an active member in the Communist Party and the Black Panther Party.

ANGELA DAVIS (b. 1944) Angela Davis is an American political activist, revolutionary icon, professor, and author who was an active member in the Communist Party and the Black Panther Party. Born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1944, Davis was no stranger to the impact of racism and activism. In high school, Davis participated in a  program that … Read more

Trailblazing Woman: Misty Copeland

by
Illustration of Misty Copeland, ballet dancer and philanthropist

MISTY COPELAND (b. 1982) Misty Copeland is an American ballet dancer who, in 2015, became the first African American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). Copeland has broken ground in roles from Clara in the Nutcracker to Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, published several books, pushed for more diversity in the arts, and is giving back … Read more

Trailblazing Woman: Lori Lightfoot

by
Original illustration of Lori Lightfoot, former Chicago Mayer and all around inspiring woman. | madewithlev.com

LORI LIGHTFOOT (b. 1962) Lori Lightfoot is an American politician and attorney who served as the 56th Mayor of Chicago. She was the second woman, first African-American woman, and first openly gay person to ever serve as Mayor of Chicago. Born in 1962, Lightfoot was known for her curious spirit and had a range of … Read more

Trailblazing Woman: Harriet Tubman

by
An illustration of Harriet Tubman, a conductor for the Underground Railroad, a Civil War nurse and spy, and advocate for human rights.

HARRIET TUBMAN (1822-1913) Harriet Tubman was best known for being a conductor for the Underground Railroad, a Civil War nurse and spy, and advocate for human rights. Tubman — born Araminta Ross — was born into slavery in Maryland (MD) in the early 1820s. She was put to work as a nursemaid at age 5. Around age … Read more