We lost so many people this past year it feels inconceivable. I am especially sorry for the loss of these trailblazing women who opened doors, broke barriers, shattered ceilings, paved new pathways for women, and inspired so many to do more in their everyday lives.
The loss of Ruth Bader Ginsburg literally made me cry. I never had the privilege of meeting her, but she was just so amazing and inspiring and her death came at such a tragic point in our history. Not only did her time on the Supreme Court change so much for us, but her passing and who has been placed on the bench in her stead may also have an untold impact on us for years to come.
I also feel cheated not only by the loss of these women but for some like Katherine Johnson, the mathematician for NASA 101, whom I never knew about until I saw the movie Hidden Figures. How horrible is it that this group of black women, who made it possible for the space program to be successful and actually saved men’s lives, were never recognized or had their story told in our school’s history books for decades? Our education system must not just tell the white man’s history (his story) but needs to embrace all people’s history, minorities of all colors as well as women’s history (her story)!
One of the women listed here, B. Smith, was a restaurateur and a model. I had the privilege to meet and dine on several occasions in her New York City restaurant which was absolutely amazing.
Remember the women that stepped forward in World War II: well, we have lost the original “Rosie the Riveter” Rosalind Walter.
I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did and I look forward to hearing about many new women who are trailblazing for the next generation!