Womanica

Regina Jonas (1902-1944) asked a short, but important question: Can women serve as rabbis? She dedicated her life to proving that the answer to that question was 'Yes.' You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were meant to be broken. From the “Godmother of Title IX” Bernice Sand...

Olive Morris (1952-1979) was a community leader who rose to meet a dire moment in British history, a time rife with racial discrimination and economic despair.  You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were meant to be broken. From the “Godmother of Title IX” Bernice Sandler, to...

Mitsuye Endo (1920-2006) was detained for being of Japanese descent during World War II. She became the lead plaintiff in a Supreme Court case which was uniquely successful in challenging the mass imprisonment of Japanese Americans. You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were m...

Kathleen Lynn (1874-1955) fought for her own right to practice medicine, and fought for her peoples’ right to self-govern. You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were meant to be broken. From the “Godmother of Title IX” Bernice Sandler, to the most prominent figure of the Peopl...

Judith Heumann (1947-present) opened the door for millions of Americans to gain better accessibility to everyday life. She’s known as the mother of the disability rights movement.  You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were meant to be broken. From the “Godmother of Title IX”...

Inji Efflatoun (1924-1989) was an Egyptian feminist activist and pioneering artist. She used her surrealist paintings to highlight the cruelty of an autocratic government, even when she was being held as a political prisoner. You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were meant to...

Gertrude Benham (1867-1938) was a world traveler and master mountaineer who scaled over 300 mountains in her lifetime You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were meant to be broken. From the “Godmother of Title IX” Bernice Sandler, to the most prominent figure of the People Pow...

Forugh Farrokhzad (1935-1967) rejected patriarchal assumptions of womanhood through her poetry. In her revolutionary and controversial work, she expressed the emotions and experiences that women were so often denied.  You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were meant to be brok...

Florence Kelley (1859-1932) refused to accept the terrible working conditions of her time. Her reforms completely changed the exploitative status quo and drastically shaped the world we live in today. You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were meant to be broken. From the “God...

Eva Kotchever (1891-1943) wrote one of the earliest books of American lesbian literature. She was an openly gay Jewish immigrant woman in America when homophobic, anti-Semitic, and anti-immigrant sentiment was widespread. You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were meant to be...

Elizabeth Packard (1816-1897) fought for her own freedom after her husband forced her into a mental institution for expressing her religious beliefs. Her experiences inspired her to dedicate her life to advocating for the rights of mental health patients and married women. You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talkin...

Elizabeth Freeman (c. 1744-1829) was the first enslaved woman to file and win a freedom suit in the state of Massachusetts. Her  case set the precedent for freedom suits across the state, more than 80 years before the Emancipation Proclamation. You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules...

Eleanor Flexner (1908-1995) wrote what became the preeminent book women's rights, during an era when “feminist” was a dirty word. You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were meant to be broken. From the “Godmother of Title IX” Bernice Sandler, to the most prominent figure of th...

Dorothy Ferebee (1898-1980) provided healthcare to vulnerable communities when they needed it most. She worked tirelessly across the United States and around the globe, advocating for civil rights and public health. You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were meant to be broken...

Corazon Aquino (1933-2009) rose above her fears to become the first female president of the Philippines. She led the country to democracy in a way that set a precedent for other countries around the world. You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were meant to be broken. From the...

Charlotta Bass (c. 1880-1969) was the first Black woman to run for vice president of the United States. She was also a lifelong journalist and activist, who made it her life’s work to end segregation and discrimination. You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were meant to be br...

Charity Adams Earley (1918-2002) stood up against racism in the American military. Through her service as one of first Black female officers in the U.S. army, she contributed to the eventual desegregation of the American military.  You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were me...

Bernice Sandler (1928-2019) was the godmother of Title IX, a woman who was fed up with gender discrimination she faced and decided to do something about it. You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were meant to be broken. From the “Godmother of Title IX” Bernice Sandler, to the...

Ruth Batson (1921-2003) was a mother, educator, and civil rights leader who worked tirelessly to desegregate public schools in Boston. While motherhood can take many forms, to mother is to usher forth new generations through care, work and imagination. For the entire month of December, we’re celebrating mothers — including those who raised children who went on to lead the civil rights movement and...

Queen Idia (c. 1500s) rewrote the rulebook on mothering in ancient Benin. She fought for her son’s life and place on the throne – and made herself a queen in the process. While motherhood can take many forms, to mother is to usher forth new generations through care, work and imagination. For the entire month of December, we’re celebrating mothers — including those who raised children who went on t...

Norma Gabler (1923-2007) turned her motherhood into a weapon, bending the American educational landscape to fit her own moral compass. While motherhood can take many forms, to mother is to usher forth new generations through care, work and imagination. For the entire month of December, we’re celebrating mothers — including those who raised children who went on to lead the civil rights movement and...

Mother Jones (c. 1837-1930) became a “mother” to thousands of coal miners and union workers because of her tireless commitment to the labor movement.  While motherhood can take many forms, to mother is to usher forth new generations through care, work and imagination. For the entire month of December, we’re celebrating mothers — including those who raised children who went on to lead the civil rig...

Mariana Grajales Cuello (c. 1815-1893) remained dedicated to the revolutionary cause up until her last breath. She inspired her children and revolutionaries across Cuba to fight for independence. While motherhood can take many forms, to mother is to usher forth new generations through care, work and imagination. For the entire month of December, we’re celebrating mothers — including those who rais...

Louise Little (c. 1897-1989) battled oppression and challenged white supremacy while raising eight children, one of whom was Malcolm X. While motherhood can take many forms, to mother is to usher forth new generations through care, work and imagination. For the entire month of December, we’re celebrating mothers — including those who raised children who went on to lead the civil rights movement an...

Lorena Borjas (1960-2020) was an activist who dedicated her life to helping trans women, undocumented people and sex workers, survive the streets of Queens. While motherhood can take many forms, to mother is to usher forth new generations through care, work and imagination. For the entire month of December, we’re celebrating mothers — including those who raised children who went on to lead the civ...