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For centuries, gender bias has been a persistent challenge, forcing women to struggle for basic rights like holding a credit card or participating in jury duty. Despite societal and legislative barriers, countless women have overcome prejudice to leave an indelible legacy. Here are 25 remarkable women who shattered gender stereotypes.
1. MARIE OWENS // FIRST FEMALE POLICE OFFICER IN THE UNITED STATES
After losing her husband, Thomas, to typhoid in 1888, Marie Owens faced the responsibility of providing for her five children. She secured a role enforcing child labor regulations, initially with the Chicago Department of Health and later with the police force. As Detective Sergeant Owens, she wore her badge with pride, using her authority to expose unlawful child labor practices and advocate for educational opportunities. Her impact was so profound that she continued her work long after a policy was introduced to halt the employment of women. (This policy was eventually overturned.) By the time of her death in 1927 at age 70, she had dedicated over 32 years to the force.
2. VALENTINA TERESHKOVA // FIRST WOMAN IN SPACE
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Amid the Cold War rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States, space exploration became a battleground for supremacy. In 1963, cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova made history by piloting the Vostok 6, becoming the first woman to journey into space and orbit Earth. (General Kamanin insisted that allowing the U.S. to achieve this milestone would "wound the patriotic pride of Soviet women.") Tereshkova captured stunning images of Earth and the moon while documenting the physiological impacts of space travel. (Her mission nearly faced catastrophe when she realized her spacecraft was incorrectly programmed to ascend but not descend—an error swiftly corrected.) Her voyage remains the sole solo spaceflight by a woman, though it wasn't without its quirks: Tereshkova overlooked packing her toothbrush.
3. SALLY PRIESAND // FIRST AMERICAN ORDAINED FEMALE RABBI
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During her teenage years in 1950s and 1960s Cleveland, Ohio, Sally Priesand faced a world where women were rarely seen in religious leadership roles dominated by men. Determined to break barriers, she joined rabbinic school after studying at the University of Cincinnati. When she sought positions at synagogues, many interviewers struggled to grasp the concept of a female rabbi. Despite limited opportunities, she achieved full ordination in 1972 and became a passionate advocate for gender equality within her faith until her retirement in 2006.
4. KATHRYN BIGELOW // FIRST WOMAN TO WIN THE OSCAR FOR BEST DIRECTOR
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From its inception in 1929 until 2010, the Academy Awards exclusively honored male directors with the Best Director trophy, with only four women ever nominated. This trend was broken when Kathryn Bigelow triumphed over frontrunner (and ex-husband) James Cameron for her gripping war film, The Hurt Locker. Her victory highlighted the gender gap in the film industry, yet the disparity persists—no female director has been nominated since Bigelow's groundbreaking win. As reported by The New York Times, 93 percent of the top 250 films in 2009 were directed by men, and by 2016, women still directed only 7 percent of these films [PDF].
5. JUNKO TABEI // FIRST WOMAN TO REACH THE SUMMIT OF MT. EVEREST
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Standing at just 5 feet tall and weighing 92 pounds, Junko Tabei led a team of 15 women to the top of Mt. Everest in 1975, making her the first woman to achieve this feat. Tabei’s accomplishment followed her creation of an all-female climbing club after college, despite facing skepticism from men who deemed the perilous climb unsuitable for women. She later conquered the highest peaks on all seven continents.
6. ARLENE PIEPER // FIRST WOMAN TO COMPLETE A MARATHON
In 1959, Pieper undertook the Pikes Peak marathon as a personal test and to promote her and her husband’s gym. She selected Pikes Peak because the Boston Marathon barred women from participating. Pieper completed the race in just over nine hours but only discovered in 2009 that she was the first woman to officially finish a marathon.
7. SARAH BREEDLOVE // FIRST SELF-MADE FEMALE MILLIONAIRE
Breedlove driving a car. Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
While inheritances can be beneficial, they often fail to reflect true entrepreneurial drive. Sarah Breedlove’s wealth was entirely self-made, a testament to her relentless work ethic. Born to formerly enslaved parents in 1867, Breedlove was widowed at 20 and struggled for years to make ends meet. Around 1900, she began promoting a hair-growth tonic she credited with restoring her own hair, coinciding with her meeting Charles J. Walker, her future third husband. Her business flourished, with salespeople earning up to $15 daily—surpassing the $11 weekly wage of many white blue-collar workers. Known as Madam C.J. Walker, she passed away in 1919 as America’s first self-made female millionaire.
8. ALASKA P. DAVIDSON // FIRST FEMALE FBI SPECIAL AGENT
Before J. Edgar Hoover’s tenure began in 1924, the FBI appointed Alaska Davidson, a "refined" woman, as a special agent. Davidson’s main responsibility involved combating what is now recognized as human trafficking: the interstate transportation of women for illicit purposes. Starting her role at 54, she challenged both ageism and gender bias.
9. NELLIE TAYLOE ROSS // FIRST WOMAN ELECTED GOVERNOR
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Nellie Tayloe Ross served as Wyoming’s governor from 1925 to 1927, becoming the first woman to hold such a position. However, her achievement came with a heavy cost: she was nominated to run after her husband, Governor William Bradford Ross, passed away before his re-election campaign. Wyoming, known for its progressive stance—it was the first state to grant women voting rights in 1869—proved welcoming to a female leader. Ross later led the U.S. Mint from 1933 to 1953.
10. SUSAN B. ANTHONY // FIRST WOMAN FEATURED ON U.S. CURRENCY
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A tireless advocate for women’s rights, Susan B. Anthony dedicated her life to securing property ownership and other fundamental rights for women. In recognition of her efforts, the U.S. Treasury honored her in 1979 by placing her image on the one-dollar coin, making her the first real woman depicted on non-commemorative U.S. currency, a distinction previously reserved for Lady Liberty.
11. LIBBY RIDDLES // FIRST WOMAN TO WIN THE IDITAROD
Navigating 1150 miles of Alaskan wilderness with a dog sled is a feat reserved for the bravest, earning Iditarod champions immense respect. In 1985, Libby Riddles made history as the first woman to win the race, having previously competed in 1980 and 1981. Facing a fierce storm near the end, Riddles secured victory after more than 18 grueling days.
12. NANCY LIEBERMAN // FIRST FEMALE HEAD COACH IN THE NBA
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Before becoming an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings, Lieberman earned a silver medal at the 1976 Olympics. Her team experience paved the way for coaching roles, culminating in her 2009 appointment as head coach of the Texas Legends in the NBA developmental league (D-League)—making her the first woman to lead an NBA-affiliated team.
13. KRYSTYNA CHOJNOWSKA-LISKIEWICZ // FIRST WOMAN TO CIRCUMNAVIGATE THE GLOBE SOLO
Hailing from Poland, Chojnowska-Liskiewicz bonded with her husband over their mutual passion for sailing. After studying navigation and purchasing a yacht, she pursued her dream of sailing around the world alone. Setting sail from the Canary Islands in February 1976, she completed her journey in just over two years, returning to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
14. AMELIA EARHART // FIRST WOMAN TO FLY SOLO ACROSS THE ATLANTIC
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Amelia Earhart, unaware she would become a 20th-century icon, embarked on the first solo transatlantic flight by a woman driven purely by determination. Having been a passenger on a similar flight in 1928, she felt like "a sack of potatoes." Determined to take control, she piloted the journey herself in 1932, paving the way for future women in aviation to lead in the rapidly growing field.
15. MARGARET ABBOTT // FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN TO WIN AN OLYMPIC GOLD
At just 22 years old, Abbott clinched first place in the 1900 Paris Olympics golf tournament. Her edge? Practical attire. While other female competitors wore skirts and high heels, Abbott opted for functional clothing, securing a porcelain bowl as her prize. (Gold medals weren’t awarded in the early days of the Olympics, and Abbott didn’t even realize she was competing in an Olympic event—she thought it was a regular tournament. It wasn’t until after her death that her victory was recognized as part of the Olympics.)
16. MO'NE DAVIS // FIRST GIRL TO PITCH A SHUTOUT IN THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES
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In 2014, 13-year-old Davis made Little League history by becoming the first girl to pitch a shutout victory in the league’s World Series. Although only three female pitchers had reached the World Series before, Davis was the first to achieve a shutout. Her historic performance led her to donate her jersey to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
17. MARGARET BRENT // FIRST WOMAN TO DEMAND VOTING RIGHTS IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES
In 1648, it was unprecedented for a woman to address an official assembly and demand the right to vote. Yet, Margaret Brent did just that before the Maryland Assembly. As a wealthy landowner, Brent advocated persistently for representation in governmental affairs. Though her request was denied, her expertise in managing property, including livestock, played a crucial role in stabilizing the colony during periods of political unrest.
18. OPHA MAY JOHNSON // FIRST WOMAN TO JOIN THE U.S. MARINE CORPS
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From 1775 to 1918, the U.S. Marine Corps barred women from enlisting. When the policy changed, Opha May Johnson became the first to join [PDF]. At 40, she enlisted as a reserve clerk, a groundbreaking move that paved the way for women to rise to positions of command and leadership within the Corps.
19. EMELINE ROBERTS JONES // FIRST WOMAN TO PRACTICE DENTISTRY IN THE U.S.
Dentistry was traditionally a male-dominated field until Emeline Roberts Jones challenged the norm. The Connecticut native began treating patients in 1855 after revealing to her dentist husband that she had been secretly performing extractions and fillings. After his passing, Jones traveled across Connecticut and Rhode Island with a portable dental chair to support her family. In 1914, she was honored as an honorary member of the National Dental Association.
20. GENEVIEVE R. CLINE // FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE AS A FEDERAL JUDGE
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In 1928, President Calvin Coolidge appointed Genevieve R. Cline, the U.S. Treasury’s merchandise appraiser in Cleveland, as the first female federal judge. Cline served on the U.S. Customs Court for 25 years, opening doors for future female judges like Florence Allen and Burnita Shelton Matthews.
21. DIANE CRUMP // FIRST WOMAN TO RIDE IN THE KENTUCKY DERBY
Horse racing was historically unwelcoming to female jockeys, favoring smaller male riders. Diane Crump faced crowds of supporters and critics alike, accompanied by security as she prepared for her first professional race in 1968. Despite shouts of "go back to the kitchen," Crump pressed on, winning her first race two weeks later and making history at the Kentucky Derby in 1970.
22. ARETHA FRANKLIN // FIRST WOMAN INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK 'N' ROLL HALL OF FAME
Born in 1942, Franklin’s powerful voice and iconic performances earned her the distinction of being the first woman inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 (inductions began the previous year with 16 men). She was later joined by legends like the Supremes and LaVern Baker, though the Hall of Fame remains largely male-dominated.
23. ROBIN HERMAN // FIRST FEMALE REPORTER TO ENTER LOCKER ROOMS
During the 1970s, the idea of a female reporter entering the male-dominated, testosterone-filled locker rooms of professional sports teams seemed unimaginable. Beyond not being taken seriously in a male-centric field, many believed the presence of often-naked athletes created an unsuitable environment for mixed genders. Robin Herman shattered this barrier in 1975: As the NHL reporter for The New York Times, she persuaded the coaches at the NHL All-Star Game to grant her access. While women continued to fight for such opportunities—one even filed a lawsuit to enter locker rooms during the World Series—Herman remains a symbol of progress in sports journalism.
24/25. BARBARA BUTTRICK AND JOANNE HAGEN // FIRST WOMEN TO BOX ON TELEVISION
In the early days of television, boxing became a popular spectacle, bringing the sport into living rooms across the nation. In 1954, Barbara Buttrick and Joanne Hagen made history as the first women to box on TV. Hagen, the U.S. Women’s Boxing Champion, emerged victorious in an eight-round match against Buttrick. "She’s a fierce competitor," Hagen remarked about her opponent, "and I wish we both could have won."
