Heroes & Trailblazers

Martha Ann Maxwell (1831-1881): Naturalist and Taxidermist

First woman field naturalist to obtain and prepare her own specimens Set a precedent for showing the animals in lifelike poses surrounded by a natural... continue »

Sacagawea: Only Woman to Accompany the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Served as interpreter and symbol of peace to Native Americans whom the Corps of Discovery encountered on their trip West; Her knowledge of edible plants... continue »

First Female Surgeon in Civil War: Physician Mary Walker

• Volunteered with the Union Army but had to serve as a nurse, not a physician because of her gender; eventually surgeons were so badly... continue »

Guardian of the Manhattan Project: Dorothy Scarritt McKibbin

McKibbin served as the primary contact for people arriving to work on the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos, New Mexico After the war, she remained... continue »

Annie Dodge Wauneka (1907-1997): Improved Health Standards for the Navajo People

Worked to bridge gap between native healers and medical doctors in an effort to eradicate tuberculosis among the Navajos Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom in... continue »

First Woman Tiger Trainer/Tamer: Mabel Stark (1888-1968)

• Performed with many circuses as a tiger trainer and had the center ring with Ringling Brothers in the early 1920s • Worked with the... continue »

Elizabeth Thorn (1832-1907): Six Months Pregnant and Burying the Dead at Gettysburg

Stepped in to serve as cemetery caretaker since her husband was off fighting for the Union Often referred to as "Angel of Gettysburg" Elizabeth Masser... continue »

Valaida Snow (1904-1956): Jazz Pioneer and “Queen of the Trumpet”

Jazz performer and pioneer Louis Armstrong called her the “second best trumpet player” in the world; Armstrong placed himself first. Valaida Snow was born into... continue »

Myra Bradwell (1831-1894): Rejected by Bar Assoc. but Builds Legal Publishing Empire

• Refused admission to the bar and the practice of law by the Illinois Supreme Court because of her gender; • Established the Chicago Legal... continue »

Olive Ann Mellor Beech (1904-1993), Aviation Industrialist and Pioneer

First woman to head major aircraft company First—and thus far, the only--woman to receive National Aeronautic Association’s Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy (1980) Selected by The... continue »

Annie Edson Taylor (1838-1921): American Daredevil

• Sought fame and fortune by taking a plunge over Niagara Falls• First person ever to successfully go over the Falls in a barrel• Used... continue »

Eleanor Roosevelt: Foster Parent for World War II Refugees

Throughout her life, Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) was a humanitarian, always finding ways to play an active role in helping others. She was particularly affected by... continue »

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