For too long, the narratives of progress and innovation have glossed over the monumental contributions of women. From science and technology to the vanguards of business and social reform, women have been instrumental in shaping our modern world. Yet, their stories often remain unrecognized, their triumphs unsung. Through their courage, resilience, and trailblazing achievements, women like Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, and Eleanor Roosevelt have not only shaped the course of our history but also paved the way for future generations to dream bigger and reach further.
To coincide with Women’s History Month, a recent poll of 3,000 respondents by Somewang revealed the 200 most beloved heroines from history, paying tribute to the rich stories of women who have broken barriers, fought for equality, and paved the way for future generations.
The top 10 were as follows:
- New York, Susan B. Anthony
Born in Massachusetts but spending much of her adult life in Rochester, New York, Susan B. Anthony was a key figure in the women’s suffrage movement in the United States. - Maryland, Harriet Tubman
Born into the harsh reality of slavery in Maryland, Harriet Tubman transcended her circumstances to become the legendary conductor of the Underground Railroad. Through her unparalleled courage and ingenuity, Tubman orchestrated the escape of dozens of enslaved individuals, guiding them to freedom with an unwavering resolve. - Massachusetts, Abigail Adams
As the wife of President John Adams and the mother of President John Quincy Adams, Abigail Adams was more than a figure in the backdrop of American history; she was a formidable advocate for women’s rights and an influential advisor to her husband. - New York, Gertrude Elion
Born in New York, Gertrude Elion’s groundbreaking work in biochemistry and pharmacology had a profound impact that reached far beyond any single state. Elion was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1988 for her development of drug treatments for leukemia, herpes, and AIDS, among other achievements. - New Jersey, Clara Maass
A nurse from East Orange, New Jersey, Clara Maass sacrificed her life in the name of medical research. She volunteered for experiments to determine the cause of yellow fever, ultimately dying from the disease. Her death led to reforms in medical experimentation ethics and contributed to the eventual understanding and control of yellow fever. - Alabama, Rosa Parks
Widely associated with Montgomery, Alabama, for her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Rosa Parks’ act of refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in 1955 became one of the most iconic moments in the civil rights movement. - Missouri, Maya Angelou
Although Maya Angelou is primarily known for her literary work, her contributions span across civil rights activism, education, and the arts, making her a multifaceted innovator. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Angelou spent much of her childhood and early adult years in Arkansas. - Georgia, Juliette Gordon Low
Born in Savannah, Georgia, Juliette Gordon Low was the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA in 1912. Inspired by her meeting with Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, Low established the Girl Scouts as a way to prepare young women for future roles as professional women and active citizens. Her innovative approach to girl’s education and empowerment has influenced generations of girls and young women across the United States. - South Carolina, Elizabeth Evelyn Wright
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright (1872-1906): Born in Talbotton, Georgia, but Elizabeth Evelyn Wright’s impact was strongly felt in South Carolina, where she founded Voorhees College in Denmark, SC. Inspired by Booker T. Washington, Wright faced numerous challenges in her mission to provide education to African American students in the rural South at the turn of the 20th century. - Indiana, May Wright Sewall
May Wright Sewall (1844-1920): An influential educator, suffragist, and reformer from Indiana, May Wright Sewall was instrumental in the fight for women’s rights, including suffrage. She founded the Indianapolis Woman’s Club and was a key figure in both national and international women’s suffrage movements.
West Virginia had four heroines included among the top 200:
- Katherine Johnson (1918-2020)
Born in White Sulphur Springs, Katherine Johnson was a pioneering mathematician who worked with NASA and made significant contributions to the United States’ aeronautics and space programs, including the calculation of the trajectory for the 1969 Apollo 11 mission to the moon. Her life and work were highlighted in the book and movie “Hidden Figures,” celebrating her achievements and those of her African American colleagues at NASA.
- Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973)
Born in Hillsboro, West Virginia, Pearl S. Buck was a renowned author and humanitarian. She won the Nobel Prize in Literature for her rich and truly epic descriptions of peasant life in China and for her biographical masterpieces. Her best-known work, “The Good Earth,” is widely read and has been influential in shaping Western perceptions of China.
- Elizabeth Simpson Drewry (1893-1979)
Born in Mingo County, Elizabeth Simpson Drewry made history as the first African American woman to be elected to the West Virginia State Legislature. Serving from 1950 to 1958, Drewry was a trailblazer in politics, advocating for civil rights, education, and labor. Her legislative work and dedication to public service left a lasting impact on the state.
- Anna Jarvis (1864-1948)
Born in Webster, Anna Jarvis is recognized as the founder of Mother’s Day in the United States. Following her mother’s death, Jarvis campaigned for the establishment of a day to honor mothers and their contributions. Her efforts resulted in President Woodrow Wilson officially declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day in 1914. Jarvis’s legacy is celebrated annually across the country, though she later became critical of the commercialization of the holiday.
“As we celebrate the indomitable spirits of our heroines, we are reminded of the profound impact they have had on shaping our nation’s narrative. These trailblazers, activists, scientists, and educators have not just etched their names in history; they have carved out possibilities for those who follow. We owe them an immeasurable debt of gratitude and the commitment to continue their work in our own lives,” says Steven Wang, founder of Somewang.