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Abigail Adams
was born in Weymouth, MA and is most commonly known as the wife of the second president of the United States, John Adams. She shared financial responsibilities as well as property management with her husband and often offered her husband advice on political issues he confronted. She was also appointed to the Massachusetts Colony General Court in 1775, making her the first First Lady to ever hold any quasi-official government position. -
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
was an influential American social activist, abolitionist and leader of the women's movement during the nineteenth century. One of her most important contributions was the drafting of an amendment to the Constitution in 1878, which granted women the right to vote. Although it was not ratified until 1920 she was the woman who originally put forth the plan that allows women to participate in the voting process now, known as the 19th Amendment. -
Victoria Woodhull Martin
was a leader of the woman's suffrage movement and became highly involved with fighting for women's rights to marry, divorce, and bear children without government involvment. At the peak of her political involvement, she ran for in 1872 from the Equal Rights Party. She did not win any electoral votes and was arrested for publishing a scandalous article, but many of her ideas for reforms have since become implemented in our government and are taken for granted. -
Rebecca Latimer Felton
of Georgia was the first woman to serve in the United States Senate. Although she was only called upon to fill a vacancy, she took the oath of office on November 21st, 1922 and served for twenty four hours. Her service is a symbol of women's rights and accomplishments. She set a precedent for the women to later follow her. -
Judge Sonia Sotomayor
was born to a Puerto Rican family and grew up with few economical resources. From an early age, her mother instilled in her the power of education and coupled with her incredible work ethic and intelligence, it led her to attending both Princeton and Yale Law School. In 2009 her achievements culminated in her appointment to, not only a Supreme Court Justice, but also the first Latina one. She serves as a significant representation of a strong woman who has attained political success. -
Enheduanna
Enheduanna The author and philosopher was an ancient Sumer princess given the title of High Priestess by her father Sargon of Akkad in a strategic political move to unite southern and northern Mesopotamia. Priestesses provided continuity of government thus this position held incredible significance within the region and established her as an important diplomatic leader and powerful woman figure as far back as 2285 BCE.
