Articles, Women's History

Celebrating Women Who Shaped the Twentieth Century

The twentieth century saw a surge of incredible women who made an indelible mark on our society and culture. From groundbreaking activists to inspiring entertainers, these iconic figures have shaped our lives in ways both big and small. Let’s take a moment to celebrate the incredible women who have left their mark on the history books!

 

Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks is one of the most well-known female icons of the 20th century. In 1955, she was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus for a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. Her brave act sparked a 381-day boycott of Montgomery buses led by Martin Luther King Jr., which eventually led to the desegregation of public transportation in America. Rosa Parks’ courage and determination were instrumental in pushing forward civil rights legislation in America and beyond.

Little known fact: Did you know that a full nine months before Rosa Parks’s famous act of civil disobedience, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin was arrested on March 2, 1955 for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery, Alabama bus. Rosa Parks is much better known, but Claudette Colvin was the first!

 

Margaret Thatcher

Another influential woman from this era was Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s first female Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party from 1979-1990. During her time as Prime Minister, she implemented sweeping economic policies such as privatizing state-owned industries and reducing government spending that helped put Britain back on track after years of economic stagnation. She also had a major impact on international politics during her time as Prime Minister, notably during the Falklands War between Britain and Argentina in 1982. Thatcher was criticized for being tough and not at all a feminist, but it is still a huge accomplishment that she was elected to office, paving the way for others. It would be almost 30 years before another female Prime Minister would hold that position. Theresa May served from 2016-2019, and Liz Truss served for a very short term in 2022.

 

Oprah Winfrey

Finally, we can’t talk about iconic women without mentioning Oprah Winfrey. As one of the most successful businesswomen in history, Oprah has become an icon for millions around the world thanks to her long-running talk show and philanthropic efforts. She has used her platform to advocate for causes such as education reform, poverty alleviation, racial equality, and gender equity throughout her career. Her work has been instrumental in creating positive change around the world, particularly when it comes to empowering women and girls everywhere.

Women like Rosa Parks, Margaret Thatcher, and Oprah Winfrey are just some examples of amazing women who have left their mark on our society over the past century. They are all beacons of hope for people everywhere – no matter what your background or circumstances might be – that you can make an impact if you commit yourself wholeheartedly to achieving your goals! We owe them all a debt of gratitude for their monumental contributions to history! Girls and women today would not be where we are without all the things they did to pave the way!

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