Women's History Resources
Jennifer Doudna & Emmanuelle Charpentier
These two women were just awarded The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work developing the CRISPR–Cas9 gene-editing tools. The technology allows precise edits to the genome. It has countless applications: researchers hope to use it to alter human genes to eliminate diseases; create hardier plants; wipe out pathogens and more.
Maika Chaka
Maika has made NFL history as the first Black woman to be named an official referee by the league. She also works as a health and physical education teacher in the Virginia Beach public school system. Chaka said, “I am honored to be selected as an NFL official. But this moment is bigger than a personal accomplishment. It is an accomplishment for all women, my community, and my culture.”
Wilma Mankiller
In 1985, Oklahoma native Wilma Mankiller became the first woman to be Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, leading the largest tribe in the United States. After retirement, she wrote an autobiography, which not only detailed the story of her life, but also included the myths, legends, core values, and histories of the Cherokee Nation. Mankiller passed in 2010 of pancreatic cancer.
Maria Elena Salinas
María Elena Salinas is the first Latina to receive a Lifetime Achievement Emmy. She's the longest running female network anchor in the U.S., and had two seasons of her investigative series, The Real Story. Upon leaving Univision in December 2017 after a 36-year run at the network. Since 2019 she has worked with CBS News as a contributor.
As you listen, think of the Suffragettes and their marching—and realize they were marching during the worst pandemic in American history, just as we march during our current pandemic. Those women (and their male supporters) risked their lives to make their voices heard. They wore masks, just as we do today, in order to preserve their health and the health of others. It took a long time, but they persisted and we listen to these songs in homage to them. March on!
Varshini Prakash
Her aim is to protect the planet from manmade destruction. With her foundation the Sunshine movement, she is working to elect people who are going to fight for working people and care about the climate crisis
Ali Stroker
Singer and actress Ali Stroker is the first person to star in a Broadway play while using a wheelchair. She's also the first disabled performer to win a Tony Award
Joy Buolamwini
She is a poet of code who uses art and research to illuminate the social implications of artificial intelligence. She founded the Algorithmic Justice League to create a world with more equitable and accountable technology
Janet Mock
Janet has made a name for herself in journalism, writing two memoirs and becoming a trans activist. She made history as the first trans woman of color to write and direct an episode of TV when she joined the production of Ryan Murphy's series Pose.
