Womanica

Kate Sessions (1857-1940) was a pioneering figure in the field of horticulture, known as the “Mother of Balboa Park.” 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 school desegrega...

Johnnie Tillmon (1926-1995) was a warrior for welfare rights in the United States, who fought tirelessly to better the lives of impoverished mothers like herself. 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 t...

Jahanara Imam (1929-1994) was the mother of a freedom fighter, and her diary became the defining account of a country’s arduous and entangled birth.  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 righ...

Felicitas Méndez (1916-1998) was determined to provide her children with equal opportunity to education, so she won a landmark court case and paved the way for desegregation in public schools across the country. 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 — includin...

Fatima Jinnah (1893-1967) is remembered in Pakistan as the “Mother of the Nation.” Her memory is a symbol of feminism and democracy. 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 s...

Dr. Margaret Chung (1889-1959) was the first known Chinese-American woman to become a doctor. Not only did she care for all her patients, she also “adopted” more than a thousand U.S. soldiers during World War II.  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 — includ...

Dorian Corey (1937-1993) was one of the matriarchs of the New York drag ballroom scene.  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 school desegregation efforts, such as Alberta...

Claudia Jones (1915-1964) was a revolutionary, intersectional writer, journalist and communist activist who fought for the liberation of Black women and the rights of all working-class people. 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...

Clara Hale (1905-1992) dedicated her life to caring for children who had a rough start to life. Her journey might make you reconsider what it means to be a mother.  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...

Berdis Baldwin (1903-1999) was a woman whose influence can be felt throughout American culture, but whose name you’ve probably never heard. As the mother of one of our country’s most singular voices, she helped guide and grow a creative genius. 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’...

Azucena Villaflor (1924-1977) was an activist and one of the founders of Mothers of La Plaza de Mayo, which looked for victims of Argentina's Dirty War. 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 r...

Anna Jarvis (1864-1948) was the founder of Mother’s Day... but the way we celebrate today is very different from what she had in mind. 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...

Andrée Blouin (1921-1986) helped birth several African countries into new eras of independence, free from French colonial rule. 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 school...

Alice Salomon (1872-1948) was an educator and activist who was a foundational figure in the thriving field of social work that exists today.  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 movem...

Alberta King (1904-1974) was a pillar of her Atlanta community, and a teacher to the next generation. Her wisdom laid the foundation for the activism of one of the most renowned civil rights leaders of the 1960s: her son, Martin Luther King Jr. 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’...

Hilda Murrell (1906-1984) was a renowned rose grower and anti-nuclear power campaigner.  Women’s contributions to peacekeeping efforts are often overlooked, but no more. This month on Womanica we're highlighting women who have spearheaded peacekeeping initiatives all over the world — from India to South Africa to the United States. We cover women like ​​Doria Shafik who led Egypt’s female liberati...

Urvashi Vaid (1958-2022) was one of the most prolific LGBTQ organizers in history. As an Indian, Hindu lesbian, she took an intersectional approach to her fight. Women’s contributions to peacekeeping efforts are often overlooked, but no more. This month on Womanica we're highlighting women who have spearheaded peacekeeping initiatives all over the world — from India to South Africa to the United S...

Sylvia Pankhurst (1882-1960) was a member of a famed British suffragette family known for their militant civil disobedience. She saw the fight for suffrage as universal, and became an important figure in opposing fascism and the Italian invasion of Ethiopia. Women’s contributions to peacekeeping efforts are often overlooked, but no more. This month on Womanica we're highlighting women who have spe...

Sunila Abeysekera (1952-2013) fought relentlessly for human rights at home in Sri Lanka and abroad. Women’s contributions to peacekeeping efforts are often overlooked, but no more. This month on Womanica we're highlighting women who have spearheaded peacekeeping initiatives all over the world — from India to South Africa to the United States. We cover women like ​​Doria Shafik who led Egypt’s fema...

Shirin Ebadi (1947-present) is a woman of firsts. She is the first woman in Iran to serve as a judge, as well as the first Muslim woman and Iranian to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Women’s contributions to peacekeeping efforts are often overlooked, but no more. This month on Womanica we're highlighting women who have spearheaded peacekeeping initiatives all over the world — from India to South Africa...

Rigoberta Menchú Tum (1959-present) dedicated her life to speaking out for Indigenous Guatemalans, fighting tirelessly against the human rights abuses that occurred during and after the Guatemalan Civil War. Women’s contributions to peacekeeping efforts are often overlooked, but no more. This month on Womanica we're highlighting women who have spearheaded peacekeeping initiatives all over the worl...

Marii Hasegawa (1918-2012) dedicated her life to diplomacy and social work. Her story is a reminder that a lifetime in the pursuit of peace is a humbling task we must choose to take up every day. Women’s contributions to peacekeeping efforts are often overlooked, but no more. This month on Womanica we're highlighting women who have spearheaded peacekeeping initiatives all over the world — from Ind...

Madeeha Gauhar (1956-2018) challenged censorship in Pakistan and helped to transform theater in South Asia. Women’s contributions to peacekeeping efforts are often overlooked, but no more. This month on Womanica we're highlighting women who have spearheaded peacekeeping initiatives all over the world — from India to South Africa to the United States. We cover women like ​​Doria Shafik who led Egyp...

Muriel Duckworth (1908-2009) was a Canadian activist, feminist, and pacifist. Women’s contributions to peacekeeping efforts are often overlooked, but no more. This month on Womanica we're highlighting women who have spearheaded peacekeeping initiatives all over the world — from India to South Africa to the United States. We cover women like ​​Doria Shafik who led Egypt’s female liberation movement...

Joyce Sikhakhane-Rankin (1943-present) is a South African journalist who took a stand against the apartheid system. Though she was imprisoned for her resistance against the racist government, she helped pave the way for a democratic South Africa. Women’s contributions to peacekeeping efforts are often overlooked, but no more. This month on Womanica we're highlighting women who have spearheaded pea...