Throughout history, many brilliant women have achieved amazing things. Unfortunately, some of their contributions were overlooked or downplayed. Here’s a list of 10 women who made history in science, politics, the arts, and more, but whose names don’t always get the recognition they deserve.
1. Rosalind Franklin - The Unsung Hero of DNA
When we think of DNA, we might remember James Watson and Francis Crick. But Rosalind Franklin’s work was critical to discovering DNA's structure. Her photographs of DNA molecules, taken through a technique called X-ray crystallography, gave Watson and Crick the clues they needed. Unfortunately, she didn’t get the same credit during her lifetime.
2. Ada Lovelace - The First Computer Programmer
Today, computers are everywhere, but in the 1800s, the idea was just taking shape. Ada Lovelace was a mathematician and writer who worked with Charles Babbage on his early computer ideas. She’s now recognized as the world’s first computer programmer, yet she didn’t get much recognition during her life.
3. Hedy Lamarr - The Inventor Behind Wi-Fi Technology
Hedy Lamarr was famous as a glamorous actress, but she was also an inventor! During World War II, she co-invented a “frequency hopping” technology that would later help develop Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth. At the time, though, people focused only on her acting, and her scientific achievements went mostly unnoticed.
4. Katherine Johnson - The “Human Computer” of NASA
Katherine Johnson was a brilliant mathematician who worked at NASA, calculating flight paths for astronauts, including the Apollo 11 mission that landed on the moon. For many years, she was overlooked, even though her work was essential for NASA’s success. Now, thanks to the book and movie Hidden Figures, more people know her name and contributions.
5. Lise Meitner - The Physicist Behind Nuclear Fission
Lise Meitner was an Austrian physicist who helped discover nuclear fission, which led to the development of nuclear energy. Her research partner, Otto Hahn, won the Nobel Prize for this discovery, but Lise did not receive the same recognition. Today, many recognize her as a pioneer in nuclear physics.
6. Sybil Ludington - The Teen Revolutionary War Hero
Most people know about Paul Revere’s midnight ride, but did you know that 16-year-old Sybil Ludington rode twice as far to alert American troops about a British attack? Her courageous ride happened in 1777, yet it’s often left out of history books.
7. Alice Ball - The Chemist Who Helped Treat Leprosy
Alice Ball was a chemist who developed the first effective treatment for leprosy, called the “Ball Method.” Sadly, she died young, and her work was overshadowed by others. For years, she didn’t get credit, but today scientists honor her as a trailblazer in medicine.
8. Mary Anning - The Fossil Hunter Who Changed Paleontology
Mary Anning was a self-taught fossil collector in the early 1800s who made major discoveries, like the first complete Ichthyosaurus skeleton. Her finds helped shape the field of paleontology, but at the time, her work was often overlooked because she wasn’t a formally trained scientist.
9. Emmy Noether - The Mathematician Behind Noether’s Theorem
Albert Einstein called Emmy Noether “the most important woman in the history of mathematics.” She made groundbreaking contributions to algebra and theoretical physics, yet many people don’t know her name. Her Noether’s Theorem is fundamental in modern physics, but her achievements were overshadowed by male colleagues.
10. Ching Shih - The Powerful Pirate Leader
Ching Shih was one of history’s most powerful pirates, commanding over 300 ships and thousands of pirates in the early 1800s. She negotiated with the Chinese government and retired peacefully, an unusual feat for a pirate! Despite her incredible leadership, she’s often left out of pirate legends.
Final Thoughts
Each of these women changed history, even if they didn’t always get credit at the time. Today, we can honor their achievements and remember their contributions to science, politics, math, and culture. Celebrating these “hidden figures” helps inspire everyone to achieve their own dreams, no matter the challenges.