CELEBRATE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
March is Women's History Month! In celebration of the month, we are commemorating, honoring and celebrating the vital role of women in history. Read about four iconic women throughout history that shaped society today through their resilience and passion!
Maxine Waters
She was born in St. Louis Missouri, and she was the fifth child of 13 children. At age 13 she began working at factories and restaurants. She earned her bachelor's degree at California State University. Congresswoman Maxine Waters is considered by many to be one of the most powerful women in American politics today. She has gained a reputation as a fearless and outspoken advocate for women, children, people of color, and the poor. Elected in November 2018 to her fifteenth term in the U.S. House of Representatives with more than 70 percent of the vote in the 43rd Congressional District of California. She represents the 43rd district. Throughout her more than 40 years of public service, Maxine Waters has been on the cutting edge, tackling difficult and often controversial issues.
Malala Yousafzai
Yousafzai was born in Mingora, Pakistan. She won the noble peace prize at age 17. When she was 11 years old, she fought for girls’ rights to get an education. Until this day she continues to fight for their education. In 2012 the Taliban attempted to assassinate Malala Yousafzai on the bus home from school. She survived but underwent several operations in the UK, where she lives today. In 2020, she graduated from the University of Oxford. With the support of the Malala fund, she opened an all-girls school in Lebanon for refugees from the Syrian Civil War.
Sonia Sotomayer
Sotomayor was born in the Bronx on June 25, 1954, to Juan Sotomayor and Celina Baez, both native Puerto Ricans. She became the first Latina Supreme Court Justice in U.S. history. She was appointed by former President Barack Obama in May 2009 and later confirmed in August 2009. She is also the third female justice in U.S. Supreme Court history. Sotomayor continues to support women's issues, criminal justice reform, and legal immigration.
Ibtihaj Muhammed
In 2016, fencing champion Ibtihaj Muhammed became the first Muslim woman to represent the U.S. at the Olympics, and she also won an Olympic medal. She also commanded attention for being the first Olympian to wear a hijab. Doll manufacturer Barbie recreated a hijab-wearing figure in her honor in 2018. In Barbie dolls "Shero" collection will be modeled after Muhammad. She wrote and published her own book called “the proudest blue.” Named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the world, Ibtihaj is an important figure in a larger global discussion on equality and the importance of sport.
Sources:
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2014/yousafzai/facts/