Lyda Newman, a Black female inventor, patented the first hairbrush with synthetic bristles. She is the third Black woman, Judy W. Reed being considered the first, to ever receive a patent. She is also known for her activism in the women’s voting rights movement of the early 20th century.
Mary Dixon Kies was the first woman to receive a U.S. patent in her own name, granted on May 5, 1809, for a new technique of weaving straw with silk or thread to create hats. Her invention increased profits for the New England hat-making industry and was praised by First Lady Dolley Madison.
An institution, formally known as the Chicago Hospital-College of Medicine established in 1912, was renamed to the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine in 2004 to honor the renowned scientist Rosalind Franklin. Its current location is in North Chicago. The school is a private, graduate-level institution with colleges, including the Chicago Medical School and the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine.
Florence Nightingale, known as “The Lady with the Lamp,” was a British social reformer, statistician and the founder of modern nursing. Interestingly, another, less known hidden figure travelled on her own dime to the Crimean War Crimean War after Nightingale rejected her application. Mary Seacole, a Jamaican-born nurse, set up the “British Hotel” near a battlefield and cared for wounded soldiers. “Her contributions were mostly overshadowed by those of Nightingale,” according to History Snob.
The first women’s rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848, producing the Declaration of Sentiments.
Wyoming Territory granted women the right to vote in 1869; the 19th Amendment guaranteed it nationally in 1920.
In 1972, Title IX prohibited gender-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act created in 1974 allowed women to apply for credit cards without a male co-signer.
Beyoncé holds the record for the most Grammy Awards in history with 35 awards. Following her wins at the 2025 ceremony, she has a total of 99 career nominations.
The first National Women’s Day celebration was held in New York City in 1909.
