Honored: 2011 (1811 - 1887)
A major figure in the national anti-slavery and women’s rights movements, Abby Kelley Foster is remembered for her roles as a lecturer, fundraiser, recruiter and organizer. In 1850, Foster helped develop plans for the National Woman’s Rights Convention in Massachusetts, and later, in 1868, she was among the organizers of the founding convention of the New England Woman Suffrage Association. During her lifetime, Foster worked extensively with the American Anti-Slavery Society, where she held several different positions within the organization. Foster worked tirelessly for the ratification of the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments and helped lay the groundwork for the nineteenth amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Honored: 1976 (1744 - 1818)
Influential letter writer who urged her husband, President John Adams to "Remember the Ladies" and permit women to legally own property. She identified this major obstacle to women's equality, which was overcome years later.
Honored: 1993 (1881 - 1975)
Scientist who found the organism which caused undulant fever, a killer disease. Evans's discovery led to mandatory milk pasteurization, saving countless lives worldwide. An outstanding scientist, she also advocated women entering the scientific professions.
Honored: 1973 (1869 - 1970)
Physician pathologist who specialized in industrial diseases. Hamilton helped save workers' lives by forcing reforms in the workplace and protection from dangers such as lead poisoning.
Honored: 1979 (1885 - 1977)
Social reformer. Reared a Quaker, Paul found most of the women's suffrage movement too slow and passive. After earning a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1912, she campaigned aggressively for women's suffrage, using picketing and demonstrations to draw attention to the issue. Paul founded the women's party, which demanded passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.
Honored: 2009 (1929 - )
An attorney, civil rights activist and humanitarian, Allie B. Latimer was instrumental in organizing Federally Employed Women (FEW) in 1968, and served as the organization's founding president until 1969. In 1977, as a federal attorney, Latimer was the first African American and first woman to serve as General Counsel of a major federal agency as well as the first African American and first woman to attain the GS-18 salary level at the General Services Administration. She was also recognized as part of the 'second wave of feminist pioneers' by the Veteran Feminists of America (VFA).
Honored: 2001 (1927 - 2003)
In 1957 Althea Gibson became the first African American tennis player to win at Wimbledon and Forest Hills. Her influence as a role model for aspiring athletes has been profound.
Honored: 1995 (1818 - 1894)
First woman to own, operate and edit a newspaper for women, The Lily. First published in 1849 in Seneca Falls, New York, it became a recognized forum for women's rights issues. She often wore full-cut pantaloons under a short skirt, giving birth to the term "bloomers."
Honored: 1973 (1897 - 1937)
The first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, and the first to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean. Earhart was a strong individual who inspired other women to take risks in non-traditional arenas.
Honored: 1998 (1805 - 1879)
Sisters who wrote numerous published papers which championed abolition and women's rights.
