Historic American Women

1913-2005Rosa Parks was a civil rights pioneer, launching the Montgomery Bus Boycott and national efforts to end racial segregation. She…

1886-1939Ma Rainey was an early blues singer known as “The Mother of the Blues.” She introduced America to the blues…

1628-1712Mary Bliss Parsons was a founder of Northampton, Connecticut. She is known for repeatedly being tried for witchcraft and acquitted…

1905-1982Ayn Rand was a novelist and philosopher known for her two best-selling novels “The Fountainhead” and “Atlas Shrugged.” These works…

1885-1977Alice Paul was a suffragist and co-founder of the National Woman's Party. Paul's actions helped bring about the passage of…

1850-1935Annie Smith Peck was a mountaineer and writer. Leaving a career as a teacher, she became a mountain climber, setting…

1911-1958Elizabeth Peratrovich was a Tlingit Native Alaskan who worked to end racial discrimination against Alaska Natives. She is credited with…

1880-1965Frances Perkins was the first woman to serve as a cabinet secretary. Secretary of Labor during the administration of Franklin…

1832-1899Lucy Pickens was the First Lady of South Carolina during the Civil War. She was known as the 'Queen of…

1776-1857Mary Pickersgill was a seamstress. She sewed the flag flown over Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore during the…

1865-1915Susan La Flesche Picotte is considered to be the first Native American woman physician in the U.S. She worked on…

1979-2003Lori Piestewa was a U.S. soldier involved in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. She was the first female soldier to…