Throughout history, despite being underrepresented in the professional sphere, women have made enormous achievements, though many went overlooked or unacknowledged. Women’s History Month in March recognizes the countless contributions women have made to society, in the arts, science, politics and more.
African-American novelist, editor and Nobel laureate Toni Morrison remains one of the most celebrated authors in the world. Born on Feb. 18, 1931 in Lorain, Ohio, Morrison faced racial segregation and constant discrimination. According to the National Women’s History Museum, at 39 years old, she wrote and published her debut novel, “The Bluest Eye.” Her most renowned work is her 1987 novel “Beloved,” which was a bestseller for 25 weeks and won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Morrison’s writing, which focused on African-American life and her commentary on racial relations, influenced many writers and artists after her time.
“‘The Bluest Eye,’ which we teach in Story and Style, has very graphic scenes that really feel like you’re in that moment,” FHS English teacher Monica Dery said. “[These] moments and scenes that are so tied to [race, gender and class] have just changed the way that people interact with literature [and] discourse around [this topic].”
Along with arts, the field of STEM has also been greatly impacted by the advancements women have made, which are often overlooked. Born on Feb. 19, 1964 in Washington D.C., biochemist Jennifer Doudna has been a trailblazer in STEM, creating CRISPR-Cas9, a genome editing tool. CRISPR has been recognized as one of the most remarkable discoveries in the history of biology. The mechanisms are crucial for treating genetic diseases and cancer treatments. For her work, Doudna won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020. By winning the Nobel Prize, Doudna has been an inspiration for girls to pursue STEM. Her profile makes her a powerful example for girls aspiring to STEM careers, according to UC San Diego Sally Ride Science.
“When you see someone who looks like you doing something, it occurs to you that, ‘Oh, I could do that too,’” FHS biology teacher Mary Haddad said.
Additionally, Iranian lawyer and writer Shirin Ebadi made significant contributions to the world of politics. She became the first female judge in Iran. Throughout her career, Ebadi fiercely defended individuals being persecuted by authorities, often putting herself at great risk. According to The Nobel Prize website, in 2000 she was imprisoned for criticizing Iran’s political hierarchy. Ebadi fought for human rights, especially those of women and children. One major achievement Ebadi had was establishing the Defenders of Human Rights Center in 2001.
Women have made tremendous advancements through the years, many of which have gone unrecognized. However, role models like Toni Morrison, Jennifer Doudna and Shirin Ebadi continue to create opportunities for women. Their resilience inspires younger generations of girls to reach their goals and establish themselves in minority fields.
