***Our Journalism class felt grateful to learn about and reflect upon March's Women's History Month!***
***Our Journalism class felt grateful to learn about and reflect upon March's Women's History Month!***
Origins of Women's History Month
Women's History Month is celebrated from March 1st to March 31st. This month commemorates the importance of women and their contributions! Women's History Month started in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L 97-28, which authorized to make the week of March 7th, 1982 as Women's History Week. In 1987 Congress then passed Pub. L. 100-9, which designated March as Women's History Month. Congress also can request every year to have the President to to proclaim each March as Women's History Month. Since 1995, presidents have issued proclamations that celebrate the accomplishments that women have made in the United States.
Famous Women in STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)
(1821-1910)
Elizabeth Blackwell was the first women in America to receive a doctor of medicine. She championed medical education for women and careers for women in medicine.
(1918-2020)
Katherine Johnson enrolled at West Virginia State University at only 15 years old. She earned a graduate degree in mathematics. She joined an all-male flight research team on which her computations influenced every major space program.
(1906-1992)
Grace Hopper was a military leader, mathematician, and computer programmer. She graduated from Vassar College and earned a master's and doctorate in mathematics from Yale.
(1956-present)
Mae C. Jemison set her mind on biomedical engineering from a young age. She worked for years as a science mission specialist and became the first African-American women to travel in Space (9/12/92)
(1951-2012)
Sally Ride attended Stanford and double majored in English and Physics. She beat out 1000 applicants for a spot in NASA's astronaut program. She was the first woman to travel into space (6/18/83)
(1900-1979)
Cecilia Payne went to Cambridge University. She later travelled to the U.S. and she became the first person to earn a doctorate in astronomy from Harvard.
(1878-1968)
Lisa meitner earned a doctorate degree in 1906 after studying physics at the University of Vienna. She has been called "Mother of Nuclear Power."
(1897-1991)
Florence Seibert was a Chemist during the 20th century. She was a instructor in Pathology and was an inductee into the National Women's Hall of Fame
(1944-present)
Antonia Novella was a Hispanic Surgeon General, and the first one to. She was behind multiple programs that helped improve the health of Children and Women.
Famous Musicians
(1946-present)
Being a female country artist in a male dominated genre, Dolly Parton was an inspiration and voice for other women. She displayed a woman's perspective and spoke her mind, and many people admire how expressive she is. Not only is she a great singer, she’s also a generous person. Recently she donated $1 Million towards the research of a cure for Covid-19. She has donated to charities numerous times in the past, majority being funds to help children and low-income families.
(1995 - present)
Amala Ratna Dlamini, also known as Doja Cat, is an American singer, rapper, record producer, and songwriter. She was born in Los Angeles. She first began releasing her music on soundcloud. Doja Cats large success comes from her amazing drive, and work ethic. Doja has worked so hard these past years, and has blown up in media.
(1977 - present)
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, also known as Shakira, is a Colombian singer and songwriter. She was born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia, and has been referred to as the "Queen of Latin Music." Broadcast Music, Inc., the largest music rights organization in the United States, described Shakira as a pioneer who extended the global reach of Latino singers.
(1982-present)
Nicki Minaj started her career as a backup singer for local aspiring singers in New York City. A local record label saw videos of her work on Myspace and her career went on from there as one of the most famous woman rappers.
(1985-present)
Lana Del Rey is an American singer and songwriter and her music is known for cinematic quality and exploration of tragic romance containing references to contemporary pop culture. She has sold about 19.1 million albums and 13 million singles.
(1958-present)
Madonna is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known as one of the most influential figures in pop culture. Madonna is often referred to as the "Queen of Pop."
(1942-2018)
Aretha Franklin is referred to as the "Queen of Soul." She was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Franklin is one of the world's best selling music artists. She was placed twice in 9th place in Rolling Stones "100 Greatest Artists Of All Time."
(1969 - present)
Mariah Carey is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. She is referred to as "Songbird Supreme" and "Queen of Christmas" for her famous song "All I want for Christmas." Carey rose to fame in 1990 with her eponymous debut album.
(1998 - present)
Taylor Swift is an American singer and songwriter. Her music includes various genres including country, folk, pop, and alternative. He songs are often inspired by her personal life and has received widespread media coverage and critical praise.
(1917 - 1996)
Ella Fitzgerald was a very popular Jazz singer during the 20th century. She was a master at Scat Singing and was a part of the Chick Webb Orchestra. Some of her most famous songs are "Dream a Little of me" and It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that Swing"
(1915 - 1959)
Billie Holiday was a prominent figure during the late Jazz age. Holiday sang in Nightclubs when she was introduced to John Hammond, a music producer who was interested in giving Holiday a music career because of her impressive singing abilities. This majorly jump started her Jazz career
(1933 - 2003)
Eunice Kathleen Waymon, also known as Nina Simone, was an American singer, songwriter, musician and Civil Rights activist. She sang in a wide range of styles from classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B, gospel and pop. The reason she chose the name Nina Simone was to disguise herself from her family, as they accused her of playing the "devil's music." Her career launched when she began playing at a nightclub in Atlantic City. Perhaps one of her most famous songs is "Feeling Good" - Listen HERE!
(1969 - present)
Jennifer Lynn Lopez, also known as J.Lo, is an American singer, dancer and actress. In her career, she became the first Latin actress to earn over US$1 million for a film! Lopez is considered a pop culture icon and has been described as a triple threat entertainer and the most influential Latin entertainer in North America.
(1971 - 1995)
Selena Quintanilla Pérez, also known as Selena, was an American singer, songwriter, spokesperson, model, actress and fashion designer. She has been called the "Queen of Tejano music," as she received credit for entering this genre of music into the mainstream. In 2020 Billboard magazine put her in third place on their list of "Greatest Latino Artists of All Time."
(1986 - present)
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for her image reinventions and musical versatility. Gaga began performing as a teenager, singing at open mic nights and acting in school plays. She studied at Collaborative Arts Project 21, through New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, before dropping out to pursue a career in music. Gaga is one of the world's best-selling music artists and the only female artist to achieve four singles that sold at least 10 million copies globally!