Ivy Tech Libraries: Women's History LibGuide: Home

Historic Firsts for Women

Lilian Bland: First woman to design, build, and fly an aircraft

Jeannette Rankin: First female member of Congress

Marie Curie: First woman to win the Nobel Prize

Jeane Kirkpatrick: First woman to serve as US Ambassador to the United Nations

Elisabeth Domitien: First woman to be appointed leader of an African Country

Sandra Day O'Connor: First woman on the United States Supreme Court

Hillary Clinton: First woman to receive the Democratic presidential nomination

Jennifer King: First female full-time NFL coach

Kamala Harris: First woman to serve as Vice President of the United States

Women's History Month

What is Women's History Month?

Established by presidential proclamation to draw attention to and improve the focus on women in historical studies.
Began in New York on March 8, 1857
Early movements included strikes and protests by women demanding better working conditions and equal rights
Observed as International Women's Day in 1910
Became Women's History Week in 1978
Officially observed as Women's History Month in 1987
Now a celebration of the economic, political and social contributions of women past and present

"Don't ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own." - Michelle Obama

Women's History Timeline

50 Fascinating Facts for Women's History Month

United States Census Bureau

My Hero: Women

"Until we get equality in education, we won't have an equal society."

-Sonia Sotomayor, Supreme Court Justice

Abigail Adams - Quotes, Children & Letters - Biography

"If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation." Abigail Adams

Related Library Guides

Women's History Month: Bloomington
A regional guide created for Women's History Month by the staff at Ivy Tech Bloomington.
Ivy Tech Universal Human Rights Library Guide
A guide focued on the inalienable rights which everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.