World-Changers (1875–2025): Real Women, Real Impact
- 4 hours ago
- 7 min read
I have things to say, and if you've been keeping up with my essays on real-world problems until now, you know I'll share them. I've been working on this since International Women's Day. The latest rolling out of the news only allowed me to add to this a bit. I hope you enjoy the real contributions of women in the last 150 years. Maybe even from some you may not have heard of:
In a world where headlines often celebrate millionaires taking brief journeys into space, it's time to turn the spotlight on a far more meaningful legacy—one forged by women who have fought, struggled, and made transformative changes right here on Earth. These are the women whose courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice have shaped the course of history. Their stories inspire us not with the idea of escaping Earth’s gravity but with the powerful reminder that real change begins with challenging the status quo and fighting for a better world.
As we reflect on the past 150 years, let's honor the women whose impact transcends the superficial. These are the pioneers who’ve redefined politics, science, human rights, and social justice—not by launching into space, but by launching movements that resonate with generations. Their legacies are not marked by wealth or fleeting moments of fame, but by the lasting change they instigated for the most vulnerable among us.
Pioneers in Politics: Breaking Barriers
Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906) – USA Susan B. Anthony didn’t need a spaceship to prove her value. She dedicated her life to securing women’s right to vote, laying the groundwork for the 19th Amendment. Her fight was for freedom and equality, not for a momentary thrill in the sky. She fought for the right of every woman to have a voice in shaping the future.
Emmeline Pankhurst (1858–1928) – UK While the rich and famous now orbit the Earth for leisure, Emmeline Pankhurst led the charge for women’s suffrage in Britain with unyielding force. Through her bold, sometimes militant actions, she brought women’s rights to the center of British politics—her legacy is one of power, struggle, and ultimate victory.
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) – USA As First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt could have lived a life of privilege, but instead, she chose to fight for human rights on a global scale. She helped draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ensuring that the oppressed, not the elite, would be heard. Her legacy is one of service to the most vulnerable, a true testament to what leadership should be.
Golda Meir (1898–1978) – Israel While billionaires race to conquer the stars, Golda Meir, one of the first female heads of state, faced down national crises and led her country with unshakable resolve. Her leadership wasn’t about wealth or fame—it was about standing firm for her people in a world that often sought to silence their voice.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (1938– ) – Liberia Africa’s first female elected president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, led Liberia from the ashes of civil war to peace. Her Nobel Peace Prize wasn’t awarded for breaking boundaries in space but for her work in rebuilding a shattered nation and restoring hope to its people. Her leadership is a shining example of what it truly means to uplift others.
Pioneers in Science, Technology, and Innovation: Transforming the World
Marie Curie (1867–1934) – Poland/France Marie Curie didn’t reach for the stars—she reached into the very atoms that make up our universe. A two-time Nobel Prize winner, Curie’s discoveries in radioactivity reshaped modern science and medicine. Her impact was far greater than a brief moment of fame—it was a revolutionary change in our understanding of the world.
Katherine Johnson (1918–2020) – USA While some women are now being celebrated for their brief stints in outer space, Katherine Johnson’s mathematical genius was critical to sending humans to the Moon. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes at NASA, breaking both racial and gender barriers in science, proving that the real stars are those whose work changes history, not just those who ride in the front seat of a spaceship.
Ada Lovelace (1815–1852) – UK Ada Lovelace was the first to envision the potential of computers long before they even existed. Her work in computing laid the foundation for the technology that powers much of our world today. She didn’t reach for the stars—she reached for ideas that have transformed life on Earth.
Chien-Shiung Wu (1912–1997) – China/USA Chien-Shiung Wu’s contributions to nuclear physics helped shape the Manhattan Project and changed the course of scientific history. Despite being overlooked for a Nobel Prize, her impact on science is undeniable. Her legacy proves that true innovation doesn’t need a platform of celebrity—it just needs determination and brilliance.
Rosalind Franklin (1920–1958) – UK Rosalind Franklin played a pivotal role in the discovery of DNA’s double helix, but for years, her contributions were overshadowed. While some chase fame in space, Franklin’s work continues to change the way we understand life itself—her legacy is one of quiet brilliance and scientific dedication.
Thinkers, Writers, and Rebels: Rewriting the Narrative
Virginia Woolf (1882–1941) – UK Virginia Woolf didn’t seek fame from outer space—she sought a space for women’s voices in literature. Her groundbreaking work A Room of One’s Own challenged societal expectations, arguing that women must have the autonomy to create and think freely. Her legacy is an enduring reminder that intellectual freedom, not fleeting fame, is what shapes the future.
Audre Lorde (1934–1992) – USA Audre Lorde’s work as a Black lesbian feminist poet was transformative, giving voice to the complexities of identity and oppression. Her words weren’t about escaping Earth—they were about challenging the systems that keep marginalized voices silenced. Lorde’s writings continue to inspire those who fight for a world where all identities are valued.
Simone de Beauvoir (1908–1986) – France Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex is considered one of the foundational texts of modern feminism. She didn’t fly into space; she grounded her work in the fight for women’s liberation and intellectual freedom. Her work continues to lay the foundation for feminist thought, showing us that the fight for equality is far more important than personal fame.
Bell hooks (1952–2021) – USA Bell hooks expanded feminism beyond the narrow lens of white, middle-class women, showing us that true liberation must include race, class, and gender. Her work was never about self-promotion; it was about elevating the voices of the oppressed and reshaping how we think about justice. Her legacy is one of inclusivity and solidarity, not fleeting attention.
Angela Davis (1944– ) – USA Angela Davis’s activism in racial justice, prison abolition, and feminism shows that real change happens through grassroots movements, not rocket launches. Her influence continues to inspire those fighting for social justice, proving that revolution starts on the ground, not in the sky.
Voices for the Vulnerable: Fighting for a Better World
Rosa Parks (1913–2005) – USA Rosa Parks didn’t need to fly into space to change history—she simply refused to give up her seat. Her quiet act of defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, becoming one of the most pivotal moments in the Civil Rights Movement. Her bravery on Earth changed the course of history far more profoundly than any journey into space ever could
Viola Desmond (1914–1965) – Canada
Canada’s Rosa Parks before Rosa Parks. Viola Desmond was a Black businesswoman who challenged racial segregation in 1946, nearly a decade before the U.S. civil rights movement gained momentum. After being arrested for sitting in the "whites only" section of a Nova Scotia theatre, she became a symbol of the struggle for racial justice in Canada. Today, her face appears on the Canadian $10 bill—but for too long, her story was buried. Desmond’s courage stands as a beacon for those who fight injustice in all its forms.
Dolores Huerta (1930– ) – USA Dolores Huerta dedicated her life to the rights of farmworkers and women, coining the iconic phrase “Sí, se puede!”—Yes, we can. Her activism isn’t about personal gain or reaching new heights—it’s about empowering the most vulnerable and creating lasting change in their lives.
Malala Yousafzai (1997– ) – Pakistan Malala Yousafzai was shot for her belief in girls’ right to education. Unlike those who pay to escape the Earth, Malala’s fight is rooted in the fight for equality and justice. Her Nobel Peace Prize wasn’t for a moment in space—it was for her unshakable dedication to ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to learn and grow.
Leymah Gbowee (1972– ) – Liberia Leymah Gbowee’s leadership in Liberia’s nonviolent women’s movement earned her the Nobel Peace Prize—not for a trip to the stars, but for her role in ending a brutal civil war and bringing peace to her nation. Her story reminds us that true power comes from standing firm for what’s right, not from seeking glory in the heavens.
Tarana Burke (1973– ) – USA Tarana Burke’s #MeToo movement, started long before it went viral, has changed the conversation around sexual violence. She works tirelessly with survivors, offering a platform for those who have been silenced. Her movement is a testament to the power of women who fight for justice and dignity on Earth—not in space.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020) – USA Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg didn’t need a rocket to make history. Her work on the U.S. Supreme Court transformed gender equality, solidifying her legacy as one of the most influential figures in the fight for women’s rights. Her legal battles were about creating a better world for everyone, not about seeking personal glory.
Everyday Legends: Women Who Changed the World
Harriet Tubman (1822–1913) – USA Harriet Tubman didn’t fly in a spaceship—she risked her life to free others. As a conductor on the Underground Railroad, she led countless enslaved people to freedom. Her bravery is a reminder that the true meaning of heroism lies in the selfless fight for justice, not in the pursuit of fame or adventure.
Margaret Sanger (1879–1966) – USA Margaret Sanger’s advocacy for birth control and reproductive rights was controversial but transformative. She wasn’t looking to escape—she was looking to empower women to control their own futures. Her work paved the way for reproductive rights that have benefited millions of women worldwide.
Marsha P. Johnson (1945–1992) – USA A Black trans woman and activist, Marsha P. Johnson was a leader in the Stonewall Uprising, advocating for LGBTQ+ youth long before the movement gained traction. She didn’t look to the stars for inspiration—she looked to the marginalized people around her and dedicated her life to their fight for equality.
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Are there woman here you haven't heard of?
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Who was the first woman in space?
Valentina Tereshkova
Svetlana Savitskaya
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