We’re celebrating Women’s History Month in March! This year’s theme by the National Women’s History Alliance is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.”
In honor of this month, we’re highlighting some of the women who have inspired generations and paved the way for today's women.
Bridget “Biddy” Mason
1818-1891
Biddy was a nurse, entrepreneur, and one of Los Angeles’ first prominent Black landowners. After gaining her freedom from slavery in 1856, she moved to Los Angeles where she worked as a nurse and midwife. She invested in land, growing her fortune to nearly $300,000, which is the equivalent of about $10 million today.
Biddy was a philanthropist in the LA community. She was instrumental in founding a traveler’s aid center and an elementary school for Black children. Her legacy is honored with Biddy Mason Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
Marie Curie
1867-1934
A pioneering scientist in multiple respects, Marie became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and she remains the only person ever to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields: Physics (1903, shared with her husband Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel for their work on radioactivity) and Chemistry (1911 for her discovery of the elements radium and polonium).
Her work laid the foundation for future developments in science and medicine, particularly in cancer treatment through radiation therapy. Marie’s work supported future women in science and medicine, including her daughter, Irène Joliot-Curie, who also won a Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
Katharine Graham
1917-2001
Katharine led The Washington Post Company from 1963 to 1991, becoming one of the first female publishers of a U.S. newspaper and the first woman to be CEO of a Fortune 500 company. She guided the newspaper through its groundbreaking publication of the Pentagon Papers and its coverage of the Watergate scandal.
These pivotal moments helped establish the Post as one of the most respected journalistic institutions in the world.
Junko Tabei
1939-2016
In 1975, Junko became the first woman to summit the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. Her expedition was made of the first-ever all-female team. Junko was also the first woman to complete the Seven Summits, climbing the tallest mountains on each continent.
Her motto was: “Do not give up. Keep on your quest.”
Dr. Keren Brown Wilson
Dr. Wilson is known as the creator of assisted living, opening the first community in 1988. She founded the Jessie F Richardson Foundation, which provides multi-generational support for older adults. She also started AGE+ to expand upon that foundation, focusing its efforts in Oregon’s rural and suburban communities.
Celebrate Women’s History Month by following us on social media! Find out more about our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at AreteLiving.com/deib.
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