10 Working Women Pioneers Who Changed the World for GoodFrom Mary Tyler Moore to Shirley Chisholm, take a look at these trailblazing female voices.
ByRose Leadem•
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There's a long road ahead of us when it comes to achievinggender equality. Thankfully, with the help ofinfluential women, progress has been made.
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In fact, without many of these women and iconic figures, our rights to enter the workforce, earn equal pay and even run for office could have been at stake today. FromEleanor Roosevelt's reshaping of the role of first lady to Shirley Chisholm becoming the first black woman elected to U.S. Congress, here are 10 working women pioneers who changed the world for good.
Rosie the Riveter
During World War II, Rosie the Riveter became the iconic image of working women. During a time when women were primarily seen as housewives, she represented female strength and resilience as women rose up and joined the labor force as men were shipped off to war. From manufacturing to aviation, working women played a major role during the war and the female workforce grew50 percentbetween 1940 and 1945.Naomi Parker Fraley, the real woman who Rosie was based on, recently died at the age of 96.Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the second female justice to ever be confirmed to the Supreme Court.Bader Ginsburg was appointedassociate justice by Bill Clinton in 1993, and before that judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit by Jimmy Carter in 1980. However, Bader Ginsburg's accomplishments go beyond the courtroom. Throughout her career, Bader Ginsburg has been recognized as a major voice and advocate for gender equality and women's rights. She's worked as a volunteer lawyer for the ACLU, launched the ACLU'sWomen's Rights Project, became the first Supreme Court Justice to officiate a same-sex marriage and has received some of the country's highest awards including induction into the Women's National Hall of Fame, the American Bar Association's ABA medal and named seven times onForbes' 100 Most Powerful Women list.Shirley Chisholm
Politician, teacher and authorShirley Chisholmwas the first black woman elected to U.S. Congress as well as the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Chisholm worked for and ran various schools and daycares throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan until getting into politics.Joining theLeague of Women Voters, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Urban League and the Democratic Party Club in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, Chisholm eventually made her way to becoming a member of the New York State Assembly. Throughout her career and during her seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, Chisholm became a major advocate for women, minorities, early education and child welfare.
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Mary Tyler Moore
Mary Tyler Mooreis recognized for starring in roles that pushed gender norms and combatted female stereotypes of the 1960s, '70s and '80s. After her breakout role inThe Dick Van Dyke Show, which landed her two Emmys, Moore went on to star in her own hit showThe Mary Tyler Moore Show.Playing a television producer named Mary Richards,The Mary Tyler Moore Showrebelled against gender norms of the 1970s and shed light on the idea of not only women in the workplace but successful female industry leaders. The show gained major recognition and Moore won several awards for her performance. Later starring in several successful films and even receiving a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her performance inOrdinary People, Moore's social, political and professional achievements are extensive and impressive.Gloria Steinem
Even in her 80s,Gloria Steinemcontinues to fight the long-winded battle of gender equality. Feminist, journalist, activist and lecturer Steinem is most recognized as the leading voice for the feminist movement in the 1960s and '70s. Steinem established herself as a freelancer forEsquire,The New York Timesand various women's publications, and co-foundingMs. MagazineandNew York Magazine.While writing, Steinem also focused her efforts on political activism and throughout her career found and co-founded various nonprofits, foundations and initiatives, including the Women's Action Alliance, the National Women's Political Caucus, Women's Media Center, Choice USA, Ms. Foundation for Women and Take Our Daughters to Work Day. She's won various awards for both her editorial and political efforts, including an Emmy for television writing, a Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism and aPresidential Medal of Freedomfrom President Barack Obama.Billie Jean King
One of the greatest tennis players of all time,Billie Jean Kingwas not only an amazing athlete but a voice for women and gender equality. On top of being a six-time number-one world-ranking tennis player and winning 39 total Grand Slam titles, King also founded the Women's Tennis Association and Women's Sports Foundation. From being namedTime的年度人物被纳入National Women's Hall of Fame and receiving thePresidential Medal of Freedomfrom President Barack Obama, King used her fame as a tennis player to bring light to gender inequality in sports.Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Rooseveltwas the first First Lady to step out of her husband's shadow and actively participate in politics, ultimately reshaping the role of First Lady altogether. She was a major advocate for human and women's rights, working with the League of Women Voters, Women's Trade Union League and the International Congress of Working Women and writing about gender equality in her newspaper column, "My Day." After her husband Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away, Eleanor Roosevelt continued her work in public service as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly and later chair of the U.N.'s Human Rights Commission under President Harry Truman. When John F. Kennedy took office, he named her to the National Advisory Committee of the Peace Corps and as chair of the President's Commission on the Status of Women.