Honored: 2007 (1896 - 1994)
Known for her visionary work in education, arts, politics and women's affairs, Catherine Filene Shouse was the first woman to receive a Masters Degree in Education from Harvard University and the first woman appointed to the Democratic National Committee in 1919. Ten years later, she launched the Institute for Women's Professional Relations. An ardent supporter of the arts and arts education, Catherine Filene Shouse founded and was the major benefactor of the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Virginia - the first and only national park dedicated to the performing arts. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Gerald R. Ford in 1977.
Honored: 1996 (1944 - )
Founder and director of the Center for Women's Global Leadership at Rutgers University. Bunch has helped shape the global feminist movement and created conciousness about gender-based human rights. She is also a leader in national and international networking and advocacy for women.
Honored: 1994 (1860 - 1935)
Philosopher, writer, educator and activist who demanded equal treatment for women as the best means to advance society's progress. Her landmark Women and Economics (1898) argued that until women gained economic independence, real autonomy and equity could not be achieved.
Honored: 1998 (1912 - 1997)
Nuclear scientist whose pioneering work altered modern physical theory and changed the accepted view of the structure of the universe. A Columbia University Professor Emeritus, her experiment disproved a supposedly fundamental law of nature. She was one of the few women to be made President of the American Physical Society.
Honored: 1973 (1821 - 1912)
Founder of the American Red Cross, Barton ministered to injured soldiers during the Civil War and became known as the "Angel of the Battlefield." Devoted to the organization, she later took to the field, providing relief in the Spanish American War at the age of 77.
Honored: 1993 (1921 - 2005)
Attorney and jurist who, after performing landmark work with the NAACP with Thurgood Marshall and others, became the first African American woman elected to the New York State Senate. Motley was the first woman and African American to become Manhattan Borough President; she was the first African American women named to the federal bench.
Honored: 2011 (1927 - 2006)
One of the most celebrated champions of human and civil rights, Coretta Scott King, in partnership with her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ignited democracy movements worldwide. For over forty years, King traveled extensively as a messenger of peace, justice and social action. Notably, in 1974, she formed and co-chaired the National Committee for Full Employment, formed the Coalition of Conscience (1983), and co-convened the Soviet-American Women’s Summit (1990). In 1969, she became the founding president, chair and chief executive officer of The King Center, the first institution built in memory of an African American leader. As a lifelong advocate for non-violence and coalition building, King’s legacy will continue to serve as an example for years to come.
Honored: 2000 (1881 - 1928)
One the major leaders of the women's right to vote and equal rights movements, she was co-founder of the American Civil Liberties Union and author of the first national labor safety law guidelines. In 1919, she organized the First Feminist Congress, and she was one of the four authors of the Equal Rights Amendment proposed in 1923.
Honored: 1993 (1930 - )
Co-founder (with Cesar Chavez) of the United Farm Workers of America, the nation's first successful and largest farm workers union union. The UFW is dedicated to helping immigrant / migrant people of all ages. Huerta is known as a brilliant organizer, speaker, lobbyist, political strategist and human rights advocate.
Honored: 2003 (1947 - )
In 1960, at the age of 13, de Varona became the youngest member of a U.S. Olympic swim team. Just four years later, she won gold medals in the 400 IM and 400 Freestyle Relay at the Tokyo Olympics. She went on to set 18 world records in her career, and was the first President of the Women's Sports Foundation.
