The image above shows (left to right) Dolores Huerta, Anna Howard Shaw, Virginia Hall, and Katherine Johnson
By Dr. Laura Heaphy
In honor of March being Women’s History Month, I decided to write my first blog post about the incredible work of women.
It is easy to overlook the extensive accomplishments of women in history who have paved the way in establishing basic rights for modern women. To name a few:
I’d like to introduce you to 4 amazing women who inspire me.
Anna Howard Shaw was a physician, minister, and leader of the women’s suffrage movement in the late 1800s and early 20th century. She dedicated much of her life to working to earn women the right to vote and worked tirelessly to have her voice heard.
Virginia Hall was an American spy who showed determination and bravery in her efforts to help win World War II in Europe. Despite living in a time where female involvement in espionage and leadership were almost entirely unheard of, she dedicated years of her life to organizing resistance attacks and coordinating rescue missions. She did all of this as an amputee, as she lost her leg in a hunting accident before the start of the war. Her amazing story is the subject of several books including “A Woman of No Importance”.
Katherine Johnson was an American mathematician who worked for NASA from 1953 to 1986. Her complex manual calculations were integral to the success of numerous space missions, including Apollo 11’s 1969 landing on the moon. Katherine faced significant barriers and discrimination as an African American female. For many years she was assigned a separate bathroom, workspace, and lunch room from white NASA employees. Her name remained largely unknown until the 2017 release of the movie “Hidden Figures”.
Dolores Huerta is the cofounder of the United Farm Workers Association. She is an influential Latina labor activist who began her work in the mid-1950s. She overcame racism and sexism and advocated for safer working conditions for agricultural workers. During the 1990s and 2000s her worked focused on women’s issues and creating space for Latinos in elected positions.
With time, we often forget the context and importance of past events. Can you recall a time when you spoke up and shared an unpopular opinion? I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to speak up and say “Hey, I know not many others believe this, but women have stuff to contribute too!” (I’m guessing they phrased it a bit more eloquently than I did). I’m so glad that they did. I’m extremely grateful to all of the strong women before me who made it possible for me be both a psychologist and a mom. I have been lucky enough to have teachers, family members, and friends who believed my voice was valuable and encouraged me to see my own worth. Take a moment to reflect on some of the awesome women in your own life or in history.
References:
Fox, M., (February, 2020). Katherine Johnson dies at 101. The New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/24/science/katherine-johnson-dead.html
Gordon, A.D., (February, 2000). Shaw, Anna Howard. American National Biography.
https://doi.org/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.1500615
Michals, D. (2015). Dolores Huerta. The National Women’s History Museum.
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/dolores-huerta
Purnell, S. (2019). A woman of no importance. Viking.
