Notable Women

Hedy Lamarr

Movie star by day, genius inventor by night: it sounds unbelievable. But it's true. Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000) was an extremely intelligent woman with the mind of an engineer. Being a movie star ...

Hypatia

There are no known images of Hypatia (ca. 350-415), the last great pagan philosopher and scientist of the ancient world. That's not surprising, of course; there are no known images of almost anyone ...

Jane Austen

Jane Austen (1775-1817) hardly needs an introduction; she is one of the most beloved and admired authors in the English language. The watercolor above right is by her sister Cassandra, and is ...

Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc (1412-1431) was one of the most brilliant generals in history. She was probably the only brilliant general in history to be burned at the stake for, essentially, refusing to wear women's ...

June Carter Cash

Did you know that June Carter (1929-2003) considered herself a feminist? Somebody asked her that back in 1999, and she replied that yes indeed, she did think of herself that way. And she said she ...

Lise Meitner

You would think that the person who discovered nuclear fission would be one of the most famous scientists of the 20th century. You would think she'd be a household name. But unless you're a geek or ...

Lizzie Borden

Well, she's not exactly a heroine, but you can't deny she's a Notable Woman. And we gotta have some gore. Lizzie Borden (1860-1927) is one of the most famous crime figures in American history. As ...

Madam Walker

Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919) was America's first great female entrepreneur. Her rags-to-riches story still mesmerizes: born Sarah Breedlove, the daughter of slaves, she built a business empire by ...

Marie Curie

Radioactivity. It was Marie Curie (1867-1934) who coined the word. She had a right to: she discovered the stuff (along with her husband, Pierre Curie, and Henri Becquerel). She was the first woman ...

Marie de France

Eleanor of Aquitaine is famed for her great patronage of the arts, and one of the finest poets at her court may have been her own sister-in-law. Marie de France (ca. 1140-1200) was a high-ranking ...

Marie Laveau

Marie Laveau (1801?-1881), better known as the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, is one of the most mysterious figures in American history. Almost all the facts of her life are shrouded in legend and ...

Mercy Otis Warren

Mercy Otis Warren (1728-1814) was the unsung heroine of the American Revolution. As one of the intellectual leaders of the rebellion, she wrote countless pamphlets, plays, and treatises explaining ...