Women
Gloria Steinem (1934-Present)
“We need to remember across generations that there is as much to learn as there is to teach.” Gloria Steinem, born on March 25, 1935 in Toledo, Ohio, is best known for her social activism in women’s rights. Steinem grew up caring for her mother who had a mental illness, and this experience influenced her marriage and motherhood choices. She was quoted saying, "In the 1950s, once you married you became what your husband was, so it seemed like the last choice you'd ever have…I'd already been the very small parent of a very big child—my mother. I didn't want to end up taking care of someone else.” Steinem went to Smith College and studied government, an unusual major for a woman at the time. After college, Steinem became a freelance writer and wrote one of her most famous articles, exposing the undesirable conditions under which women at the Playboy Club were treated. From there, she continued to publish pieces and helped to create New York magazine and Ms. magazine. Gloria Steinem has written six books and many articles. In 2000, Steinem surprisingly married David Bale, despite her previous thoughts about marriage. In 2003 Bale passed away, but Steinem told O magazine that "he had the greatest heart of anyone I've known." Gloria has established many boards and organizations that fight for social justice and has received multiple awards for her work. Steinem pushed for awareness and knowledge of women’s rights issues and continues to be an advocate for women, communities, and social justice around the world.
Gloria Steinem (1934-Present)
“We need to remember across generations that there is as much to learn as there is to teach.” Gloria Steinem, born on March 25, 1935 in Toledo, Ohio, is best known for her social activism in women’s rights. Steinem grew up caring for her mother who had a mental illness, and this experience influenced her marriage and motherhood choices. She was quoted saying, "In the 1950s, once you married you became what your husband was, so it seemed like the last choice you'd ever have…I'd already been the very small parent of a very big child—my mother. I didn't want to end up taking care of someone else.” Steinem went to Smith College and studied government, an unusual major for a woman at the time. After college, Steinem became a freelance writer and wrote one of her most famous articles, exposing the undesirable conditions under which women at the Playboy Club were treated. From there, she continued to publish pieces and helped to create New York magazine and Ms. magazine. Gloria Steinem has written six books and many articles. In 2000, Steinem surprisingly married David Bale, despite her previous thoughts about marriage. In 2003 Bale passed away, but Steinem told O magazine that "he had the greatest heart of anyone I've known." Gloria has established many boards and organizations that fight for social justice and has received multiple awards for her work. Steinem pushed for awareness and knowledge of women’s rights issues and continues to be an advocate for women, communities, and social justice around the world.
Aung San Suu Kyi (1945-Present)
“It is not power that corrupts, but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.” Aung San Suu Kyi, born on June 19, 1945 in Yangon (Rangoon), Burma (Myanmar), is a Burmese opposition politician and is best known for her nonviolent movement against the brutal government. Suu Kyi was born to two politicians. In 1969 she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oxford and married her husband in 1972. Suu Kyi lived in England, India, and the United States with her husband and her two children until 1988 when she returned to Burma to care for her dying mother. When she returned, she found that Burma’s dictator U Ne Win had carried out a coup d'état. Suu Kyi then began speaking out against Burma’s dictator, and she has dedicated her life to fighting for human rights. After U Ne Win stepped down, Burma’s military junta took over and noticed Suu Kyi’s government opposition. In 1989 the military government of Burma placed Suu Kyi under house arrest and cut off her communication with the outside world. Throughout the years she has been confined to house arrest for different lengths of time and in May 2009 she was arrested and sentenced to prison for 18 months. In April of 2012, Suu Kyi was elected for a seat in parliament. In 1991 Suu Kyi received the Nobel Prize for Peace and in later years she was awarded the Rafto prize, the International Simón Bolívar Prize and the Jawaharlal Nehru Award. In 2007 she was given the Congressional Gold Medal. Aung San Suu Kyi has had many influential experiences and constantly works towards human rights.
“It is not power that corrupts, but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.” Aung San Suu Kyi, born on June 19, 1945 in Yangon (Rangoon), Burma (Myanmar), is a Burmese opposition politician and is best known for her nonviolent movement against the brutal government. Suu Kyi was born to two politicians. In 1969 she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oxford and married her husband in 1972. Suu Kyi lived in England, India, and the United States with her husband and her two children until 1988 when she returned to Burma to care for her dying mother. When she returned, she found that Burma’s dictator U Ne Win had carried out a coup d'état. Suu Kyi then began speaking out against Burma’s dictator, and she has dedicated her life to fighting for human rights. After U Ne Win stepped down, Burma’s military junta took over and noticed Suu Kyi’s government opposition. In 1989 the military government of Burma placed Suu Kyi under house arrest and cut off her communication with the outside world. Throughout the years she has been confined to house arrest for different lengths of time and in May 2009 she was arrested and sentenced to prison for 18 months. In April of 2012, Suu Kyi was elected for a seat in parliament. In 1991 Suu Kyi received the Nobel Prize for Peace and in later years she was awarded the Rafto prize, the International Simón Bolívar Prize and the Jawaharlal Nehru Award. In 2007 she was given the Congressional Gold Medal. Aung San Suu Kyi has had many influential experiences and constantly works towards human rights.
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt, born on October 11, 1884 in New York, New York, was a humanitarian, writer, and political figure. When Roosevelt was young, both of her parents passed away and she was sent to a school in England, which helped her to become more social. In 1905 she married Franklin D. Roosevelt, who later became President of the United States, and they had six children together. When her husband was President, Eleanor modeled a dramatic alternative to the role of the first lady. Instead of just being in the background of politics and White House matters, Eleanor stepped up to advocate for human rights, children’s causes, and was involved in the League of Women Voters. After her husband’s death in 1945, Eleanor continued to be involved in civil rights matters and politics. Eleanor served as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly, became chair of the United Nations’ Human Rights Commission, was chair of the Commission on the Status of Women, and eventually became a delegate to the United Nations. When she was a member of the Human Rights Commission, Eleanor helped to write the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Eleanor also wrote several books about her life. On November 7, 1962, Eleanor passed away from cancer. Eleanor Roosevelt was an influential woman who changed the image of the first lady and worked for political and social change.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt, born on October 11, 1884 in New York, New York, was a humanitarian, writer, and political figure. When Roosevelt was young, both of her parents passed away and she was sent to a school in England, which helped her to become more social. In 1905 she married Franklin D. Roosevelt, who later became President of the United States, and they had six children together. When her husband was President, Eleanor modeled a dramatic alternative to the role of the first lady. Instead of just being in the background of politics and White House matters, Eleanor stepped up to advocate for human rights, children’s causes, and was involved in the League of Women Voters. After her husband’s death in 1945, Eleanor continued to be involved in civil rights matters and politics. Eleanor served as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly, became chair of the United Nations’ Human Rights Commission, was chair of the Commission on the Status of Women, and eventually became a delegate to the United Nations. When she was a member of the Human Rights Commission, Eleanor helped to write the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Eleanor also wrote several books about her life. On November 7, 1962, Eleanor passed away from cancer. Eleanor Roosevelt was an influential woman who changed the image of the first lady and worked for political and social change.
Rita F. Pierson (1952-2013)
Rita F. Pierson was a professional educator. Pierson grew up in Houston, Texas. She went to Elmhurst College in Illinois before returning to Texas for her masters. She worked in many different school roles, including an elementary teacher, principal, and administrator. Pierson led professional development workshops. She was an agent of change and advocated for better education for children in poverty and students of color. One of her workshops specifically dealt with African American males in the school system. Pierson believed every child can learn and we as educators need to teach all children more equally. Pierson fought for students’ rights to a better education through speaking out about issues and her position as administrator in the Waco Independent School District. She gave an inspirational speech on TED Talks, which includes the quotes: “Every child deserves a champion — an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” “I gave [my students] a saying to say: ‘I am somebody. I was somebody when I came. I'll be a better somebody when I leave. I am powerful, and I am strong. I deserve the education that I get here.’”
Rita F. Pierson was a professional educator. Pierson grew up in Houston, Texas. She went to Elmhurst College in Illinois before returning to Texas for her masters. She worked in many different school roles, including an elementary teacher, principal, and administrator. Pierson led professional development workshops. She was an agent of change and advocated for better education for children in poverty and students of color. One of her workshops specifically dealt with African American males in the school system. Pierson believed every child can learn and we as educators need to teach all children more equally. Pierson fought for students’ rights to a better education through speaking out about issues and her position as administrator in the Waco Independent School District. She gave an inspirational speech on TED Talks, which includes the quotes: “Every child deserves a champion — an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” “I gave [my students] a saying to say: ‘I am somebody. I was somebody when I came. I'll be a better somebody when I leave. I am powerful, and I am strong. I deserve the education that I get here.’”
bell hooks (1952-Present)
bell hooks is a scholar and journalist. She was born Gloria Jean Watkins, but changed her name in memory of her great grandmother. The name bell hooks is lowercase because she wanted people to focus on her work. As a young student, she had experiences in a predominantly Black school and an integrated school with White teachers. Her Black teachers inspired her to learn all she can and gave her the passion she has for education. Bell hooks later went on to Stanford, UW Madison, and University of California, Santa Cruz to finally get her PhD. She is known as a feminist thinker and speaker on issues relating to African America women. However, hooks doesn’t separate issues, but realizes they are all part of people’s identities. She believes race, gender, and class are not part of a hierarchy, nor one more important than the other. Bell hooks has written a few books, based on research and her personal experience, including: Ain’t I a Women: Black Women and Feminism and Teaching to Transgress. “The moment we choose to love, we begin to move against domination, against oppression. The moment we choose to love, we begin to move toward freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others.”
bell hooks is a scholar and journalist. She was born Gloria Jean Watkins, but changed her name in memory of her great grandmother. The name bell hooks is lowercase because she wanted people to focus on her work. As a young student, she had experiences in a predominantly Black school and an integrated school with White teachers. Her Black teachers inspired her to learn all she can and gave her the passion she has for education. Bell hooks later went on to Stanford, UW Madison, and University of California, Santa Cruz to finally get her PhD. She is known as a feminist thinker and speaker on issues relating to African America women. However, hooks doesn’t separate issues, but realizes they are all part of people’s identities. She believes race, gender, and class are not part of a hierarchy, nor one more important than the other. Bell hooks has written a few books, based on research and her personal experience, including: Ain’t I a Women: Black Women and Feminism and Teaching to Transgress. “The moment we choose to love, we begin to move against domination, against oppression. The moment we choose to love, we begin to move toward freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others.”
Shakira (Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll) (1977-Present)
Shakira is a famous singer and dancer. She was born and raised in Columbia. Shakira infuses Latina and Arabic styles into her music, honoring her family heritage. Shakira became famous in Columbia and Latin American countries. She naturally wrote her songs in Spanish. Shakira moved to Miami, Florida at the age of 20. She taught herself to write songs in English and eventually increased her fame in the United States. Now she can write popular songs in Spanish or English to a wide range of listeners. She has won Grammy Awards, Latin Grammy Awards, as well as many others. Shakira is famous for her song, “Hips Don’t Lie”. She also sang “Waka Waka”, which became the theme song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup for soccer. Shakira later became a judge and mentor on the hit show, The Voice. Shakira is proud of her Latina identity and demonstrates strength and positivity through her music and actions. She is a strong female presence in the music industry and a role model for many girls. A quote from a fan reads: “Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is my hero because she has taught me to always follow my dreams and to receive as much education as I can. I know that my shero is the role model of many young girls and that she is making many Latinas proud because, she is making a difference in the world.”
Shakira is a famous singer and dancer. She was born and raised in Columbia. Shakira infuses Latina and Arabic styles into her music, honoring her family heritage. Shakira became famous in Columbia and Latin American countries. She naturally wrote her songs in Spanish. Shakira moved to Miami, Florida at the age of 20. She taught herself to write songs in English and eventually increased her fame in the United States. Now she can write popular songs in Spanish or English to a wide range of listeners. She has won Grammy Awards, Latin Grammy Awards, as well as many others. Shakira is famous for her song, “Hips Don’t Lie”. She also sang “Waka Waka”, which became the theme song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup for soccer. Shakira later became a judge and mentor on the hit show, The Voice. Shakira is proud of her Latina identity and demonstrates strength and positivity through her music and actions. She is a strong female presence in the music industry and a role model for many girls. A quote from a fan reads: “Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is my hero because she has taught me to always follow my dreams and to receive as much education as I can. I know that my shero is the role model of many young girls and that she is making many Latinas proud because, she is making a difference in the world.”