Throughout history, women have worked hard to change the world, even when facing significant obstacles. They have fought for equal rights, broken barriers in science and politics, and inspired future generations to stand up for what they believe in. In honor of International Women’s Month, here are some of the most influential women in history who made a lasting impact.

Susan B. Anthony

Susan B. Anthony was one of the most important leaders of the women’s suffrage movement in the United States. She believed that women should have the right to vote and spent her life fighting for equality.

“Susan B. Anthony [is the most prominent woman in history] because she led the woman suffrages and gave women the right to vote in the 1920s,” junior Erin Ruth said.

She co-founded the National Woman Suffrage Association and traveled all over the country giving speeches, organizing events, and pushing for new laws. In 1872, she was even arrested for voting illegally in a presidential election to prove her point. Although she didn’t live to see women get the right to vote, her efforts helped lead to the 19th Amendment in 1920, which finally gave women the right to vote in the U.S.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt wasn’t just the wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, she was a leader in her own right. As First Lady of the United States, she spoke out about human rights, racial equality, and women’s rights at a time when many people thought women should stay quiet about politics.

“My personal favorite is Eleanor Roosevelt because I feel like she really defined what a first lady or some of that position of the White House should be doing. She made a lot of change and impact during her husband’s time in office, bringing in a little bit more racial awareness as well. Like she helped get someone to sing on the Lincoln Memorial that had previously been denied because of their race and that was a huge step toward kind of breaking the segregation norm,” junior Lily Solensky said.

After her time in the White House she helped write the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an important document that set standards for human rights around the world. She also stood up for African Americans and worked to improve working conditions. Eleanor once said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent,” showing her belief that everyone deserves respect and dignity.

Marie Curie

Marie Curie was a brilliant scientist who made groundbreaking discoveries in physics and chemistry. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields. 

She discovered the elements radium and polonium, which helped develop cancer treatments and X-rays. Her work was extremely dangerous because she was exposed to radiation, but she kept going because she believed in the importance of science. Curie’s discoveries changed medicine and technology forever, proving that women belong in science. 

Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks became famous in 1955 when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. This simple act led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a major event in the Civil Rights Movement.

Her bravery inspired others to fight against segregation and unfair laws. Parks worked closely with civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to push for equal rights for Black Americans. She is remembered as “the mother of the civil rights movement”, showing how one person’s courage can make a big difference.

Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai is a modern-day hero. When she was just 15 years old, she was attacked by the Taliban for speaking out about girls’ right to education in Pakistan. Instead of staying silent, she became even more determined to fight for education rights around the world. 

She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, becoming the youngest winner ever, and started the Malala Fund to help girls in different countries go to school. Her famous quote, “One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world,” reminds us how important education is.

These women, and many others, have made the world a better place. They fought for equal rights, education, science, and justice, inspiring generations to stand up for what is right. This International Women’s Month, we remember their courage and continue working toward a future where everyone has the same opportunities, no matter their gender.

“I think it’s very important just to recognize the kind of impact that women have made in history and also the growth that they’ve taken over time. It’s important that we recognize a lot of stuff that we should be grateful to have currently, and that is why we should keep educating and learning about this,” Solensky said.

Their stories prove that one person can make a difference and that the fight for equality isn’t over yet.