Women’s History Month Sara Fredrickson Federal Women’s Program Manager - Kansas USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

National Women’s History Month “In 1987, the National Women's History Project petitioned Congress to expand the national celebration to the entire month of March. Since then, the National Women's History Month Resolution has been approved with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. Each year, programs and activities in schools, workplaces, and communities have become more extensive as information and program ideas have been developed and shared.” (qtd. in

National Women’s History Month To help uncover women’s forgotten heritage, the following slides highlight a few of the women who have held the “Famous First” positions.

“Famous Firsts” by Women  Henrietta Johnston begins to work as a portrait artist in Charleston, South Carolina, making her the first known professional woman artist in America.  Mary Katherine Goddard and her widowed mother become publishers of the Providence Gazette newspaper and the annual West’s Almanack, making her the first woman publisher in America.  Elizabeth Blackwell receives her M.D. degree from the Medical Institution of Geneva, New York, becoming the first woman in the United States (U.S.) with a medical degree.

“Famous Firsts” by Women  Jeannette Rankin of Montana is the first woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.  Frances Perkins is appointed Secretary of Labor, making her the first woman member of a presidential cabinet.  Jerrie Cobb is the first woman in the U.S. to undergo astronaut testing with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  Juanita Kreps becomes the first woman director of the New York Stock Exchange.

“Famous Firsts” by Women  Sandra Day O’Connor was appointed to the U.S Supreme Court, making her its first woman justice.  Dr. Sally K. Ride becomes the first American woman to be sent into space.  Wilma Mankiller becomes the first woman chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.  Dr. Antonia Novello is sworn in as the first woman U.S. Surgeon General.  Madeleine Albright as the first woman sworn in as U.S. Secretary of State.

“Famous Firsts” by Women  Lt. Kendra Williams, U.S Navy, becomes the first U.S. female combat pilot to bomb an enemy target.  Lt. Col. Eileen Collins is the first woman astronaut to command a space shuttle mission.  Nancy Pelosi becomes the first woman U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives.  Dr. Peggy Whitson, an American astronaut, becomes the first woman to command the International Space Station.

National Women’s Month The popularity of women's history celebrations has sparked a new interest in uncovering women's forgotten heritage so the following slides are to highlight a few of the inventions patented by women throughout the years.

Inventions by Woman  Margaret Knight invented a new machine part that would automatically fold and glue paper bags to create square bottoms for paper bags. Ms. Knight founded the Eastern Paper Bag Company in  Josephine Cochran invented the dishwasher.

Inventions by Women  Mary Walton patented a method of deflecting smoke stack emissions.  Mary Anderson patented the windshield wiper for automobiles.  Katherine Blodgett received a patent for the “Film Structure and Method of Preparation” which is used for many purposes including limiting distortions in eyeglasses, microscopes, telescopes, and cameras.

Inventions by Women  Virginia Apgar invented the Newborn Scoring System (Apgar Score)  Bette Nesmith Graham invented “Mistake Out,” known today as “Liquid Paper.”

Inventions by Women  Chemist, Edith Flanigen, invented a petroleum refining method. Her molecular sieves have made gasoline production more efficient, cleaner, and safer worldwide.  Stephanie Kwolek patented Kevlar, a synthetic material which is five times stronger than same-weight steel. Kevlar is the material used in bullet-proof vests, space vehicles, parachutes, and skis.

Inventions by Women  Sally Fox patented the naturally colored cotton “FoxFibre.”  Gabriele Knecht patented the forward sleeve design, which allows the arms to move freely when shifting the whole body and allows clothes to drape gracefully on the body.  Carol Wior patented the Slimsuit which is a slimming swimsuit.

Women’s Art: Women’s Vision  “This year’s theme provides a special opportunity to discover and celebrate women’s visual arts in a variety of forms and mediums that help expand our perceptions of ourselves and each other.”  Visit to view all the women artists that are being honored. (qtd in

National Women’s History Month Other Web sites of interest:  (Rosie the Riveter National Historic Site in San Francisco, California) (Rosie the Riveter National Historic Site in San Francisco, California)   (Women’s Rights National Historic Park in Seneca, New York) (Women’s Rights National Historic Park in Seneca, New York) 

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