Many important women have shaped our country and world in numerous ways. The list is never-ending, and most of these amazing women never get the appreciation they deserve. This month is a time to honor their efforts and accomplishments that have made lasting impacts. Susan B. Anthony, Dr. Shirley Jackson, Stephanie Kwolek, and many more have made a change in our world, for the better.
Susan B. Anthony played a pivotal role in the women’s suffrage movement to help push for the voting rights of women. Anthony joined shortly after the movement was founded, yet made a crucial impact. “After the first meeting in 1850, Stanton and Anthony forged a lifetime alliance as women’s rights activists,” History, Arts & Archives stated in their article on the women’s rights movement. This only furthered the idea that she made lifelong relationships within this community and movement. She tirelessly campaigned for over 50 years for the movement. She previously took a stand in 1872 when she voted illegally on the Enforcement Act of 1872. As a result, she was arrested and prosecuted, which ended in her being fined $100 dollars. Yet she never gave up fighting for women’s rights.
The telephones we use every day for calls are thanks to the groundworks of Dr. Shirley Jackson. Not only did she lay the foundations for major telecommunication advancements, but she is also credited with breakthroughs in touch-tone telephones, solar cells, caller ID, fiber optic cables, and many other technological advancements. All of these amazing advancements are things we use multiple times a day. Not only did she make these amazing things, but she also paved the way for many African American women. Jackson was the first ever African American woman to receive a doctorate from MIT. These accomplishments changed the world and paved the way for women in the science field.
Stephanie Kwolek made an invention that saves lives every day. She invented Kevlar, which is an industrial fiber that is heat-resistant. Kevlar is five times stronger than steel, yet it is lighter than fiberglass. She was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 1996 for her amazing invention. Kevlar is now used in military ballistic vests, cut-resistant gloves, tires, and even in sports shoes to make them more durable. This is all thanks to Kwolek’s discovery of a liquid crystalline solution during her search to find high-performance fibers for tires.
Over our history, women have gotten the short end of the stick by not being able to vote till 1919, not being allowed to have an education till the late 18th century, and so much more. Even with going through all of these things, women have stood up and made incredible changes in the world. These women are some great examples, but there are so many more that aren’t shown enough appreciation. During this month, let’s take time to support women and show them the appreciation they deserve. Take some time to thank the women in your life for everything they do.
