Women’s History Month Gallery
For International Women’s Day on March 8, a RoundUp survey asked students: who is one of your female role models from any point in history and why? In response, students pointed out women from across history and in their own lives – women for us all to learn from.
Ada Lovelace, a woman considered to be the first female computer programmer!”
Ada Lovelace because she was the first female coder.”
Ada Lovelace (1815-1852) was an English mathematician. Lovelace is considered the first computer programmer for her notes on Charles Babbage’s prototype of a digital computer, the Analytical Engine. In 1979, the programming language “Ada” was named after Lovelace. The second Tuesday in October is now celebrated as Ada Lovelace Day, which highlights the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Harriet Tubman”
Harriet Tubman (c. 1820-1913) was an American bondwoman that escaped from slavery and became a prominent abolitionist before the American Civil War. Tubman helped dozens of enslaved people escape and achieve freedom through the Underground Railroad, earning the name the “Moses of her people”. After the Civil War, Tubman created the Harriet Tubman Home for Indigent-Aged Negroes and later became involved in women’s suffrage.
Marie Curie because science”
Marie Curie (1867-1934) was a Polish physicist known for her work on radioactivity. Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and the only woman to do so in two different fields: physics and chemistry for the discovery of radioactivity and the isolation of pure radium, which Curie discovered.
Helen Keller, because she was able to overcome incredible adversity and still found ways to communicate with people and help others.”
Helen Keller (1880-1968) was an American author and educator who was blind and deaf. Keller’s education at Radcliffe College and ability to learn how to speak and lip-read were incredible accomplishments and inspired her writings on blindness in different magazines. Later, Keller wrote several autobiographies and worked for disability rights, cofounding the American Civil Liberties Union.
Katherine Johnson – her patience and perseverance while working as a human computer at NASA inspires me to work hard even in the midst of struggles.”
Katherine Johnson (1918-2020) was an American mathematician whose mathematical work performing calculations and analyzing test data contributed to the early United States space program. Johnson’s work played a crucial role in the Freedom 7, Friendship 7, and Apollo 11 missions, earning her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.
Nicki Minaj. She’s the queen”
Nicki Minaj (1982-present), born Onika Tanya Maraj, is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and actress. Minaj’s music has made 44 appearances on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the most by a female rapper, with notable albums including Pink Friday, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, and The Pinkprint. Minaj has also been a judge on American Idol, a reality television singing competition, and acted in several movies.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez”
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (1989-present) is the United States representative for New York’s 14th congressional district. Ocasio-Cortez took office at age 29, becoming the youngest woman ever to serve in the U.S. Congress, and has since advocated a progressive platform.
My mom! I admire her for courage and resilience”
One of my female role models is my mom. My mom is one of the most hardworking people I know. She is always supporting me in whatever I do, gives me great advice, and is truly one of my best friends. Even though I annoy her sometimes, I know she will always be there for me and will always love me for who I am.”
Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Hello! My name is Karen. I am a sophomore and an older sister. I moved to the Houston area two years ago from the Dallas area, although I was born in Kansas....
