Women Who Dare

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Women Who Dare Series Library of Congress Released in 2006 Women Who Dare celebrates the lives of women who have changed the course of American history through their courage and spirit, often in the face of overwhelming obstacles.

Wangari Maathai Environmental and Political Activist

In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness, to reach a higher moral ground. A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other. That time is now. ~Wangari Maathai

Oveta Culp Hobby Director, Women’s Army Corps First US Secretary of Health, Education & Welfare

"Women who stepped up were measured as citizens of the nation, not as women...This was a people's war, and everyone was in it.“ ~Oveta Culp Hobby

Kalpana “Montu” Chawla Astronaut, Aeronautical Engineer First Indian born woman in space

Emma Queen of Hawaii

Nancy Harkness Love Aviator

Wilma Mankiller Chief of the Cherokee Nation

Heather O’Brien Political/Economic Peacekeeper

Odetta Singer, Civil Rights Activist

Debora Sampson Continental Army Soldier

Ani Pachen Warrior; Tibetan Buddhist Nun

Rebecca Lee Crumpler First Black American Woman to earn an M.D.

Ellen Ochoa Astronaut First Hispanic woman in space

“What everyone in the astronaut corps shares in common is not gender or ethnic background, but motivation, perseverance, and desire - the desire to participate in a voyage of discovery.” ~Ellen Ochoa

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ~Marianne Williamson spiritual activist, author, lecturer and founder of The Peace Alliance

Wangari Maathi – dared to fight for her beliefs Oveta Culp Hobby – dared to lead in a male dominated field Montu Chawla – dared to explore Emma, Queen of Hawaii – dared to fight for her people Nancy Harkness Love – dared to serve her country in a time of war Wilma Mankiller – dared to make a difference for her people Heather O’Brien – dared to make a difference for the oppressed Odetta – dared to be the voice of the people Debora Sampson – dared to risk her life for her country Ani Pachen – dared to risk her life for her faith Rebecca Lee Crumpler – dared to use her education to care for the poor Ellen Ochoa – dared to explore

Wangari Maathai Oveta Culp Hobby Montu Chawla Emma, Queen of Hawaii Nancy Harkness Love Wilma Mankiller Heather O’Brien Odetta Debora Sampson Ani Pachen Rebecca Lee Crumpler Ellen Ochoa What will you dare to do?