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Learn more about the women whose words inspire us

ACTIVISTS

Sovereigns

WRITERS

ENTREPRENEURS 

SCIENTISTS

PEACE ADVOCATES

MUSICIANS

AVIATORS

MORE ABOUT THE WOMEN

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT

"Be comforted dear soul, there is always light behind the clouds."

quote from Little Women published in 1868

quote from An Old-Fashioned Girl published in 1869

quote from Little Women published in 1868

"Books are always good company."

quote from Jo's Boys published in 1886

quote from Little Women published in 1868

quote from The Abbot's Ghost Or Maurice Treherne's Temptation published in 1867

a b o u t

1832 - 1888

Louisa May Alcott is best-known for her novel Little Women. Along with writing, Alcott also was an abolitionist and feminist. She worked as a nurse during the Civil War; however, she was sent home after contracting typhoid fever. She published Little Women in 1868 and wrote many other books following the lives of different characters in the years following. Louisa May Alcott never married and spent her later life carrying for her parents and niece. Her work remains admired today and her words reveal her to be a woman far ahead of her time.

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Louisa May Alcott

Susan B. Anthony

a b o u t

1820 - 1906

Susan B. Anthony was an activist, supporting women's suffrage and abolition. She played a pivotal role in the development of many women's rights associations and was a key figure in the suffrage movement. Susan B. Anthony's dedication, spirit, and resolve inspire us.

Susan B Anthony
Jane Austen

JANE AUSTEN

quote from Sense and Sensibility published in 1811

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a b o u t

1775 - 1817

Jane Austen is an English novelist whose writing centered around the lives of women. Her novels were not very well-known during her own lifetime; however, their popularity grew tremendously following her death. In fact, it was not until after her death that Jane Austen was revealed to be the author of her novels; she had published them under a pen name or anonymously. Jane Austen is now considered one of the most influential and famous British authors. Her work is read around the world and her social critiques and documentation of life in her times has captured the minds of millions of readers. 

MADAM C.J. Walker

"Perseverance is my motto."

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a b o u t

1867 - 1919

Madam C. J. Walker (aka Sarah Breedlove) was an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and activist during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Sarah Breedlove was the first child in her family to be born free under the 13th amendment. At the age of 14, Sarah Breedlove married and in 1885, gave birth to a daughter. After her husband's death, Sarah Breedlove worked to care for her daughter while also experimenting to develop her own haircare products. Sarah Breedlove remarried and began her business, selling the products she had developed. She is considered the first female, self-made millionaire in the United States. 

We have chosen to use her given name, Sarah Breedlove, on our cards and art prints that feature her words. C. J. Walker was the name of her husband, and we hope that by using Sarah Breedlove, we can honor the work that was truly hers.

Sarah Breedlove

AMELIA BARR

"Kindness is always fashionable."

quote from All the Days of My Life: An Autobiography published in 1913

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a b o u t

1831 - 1919

Amelia Barr was a British novelist. She was born in England and moved to various locations throughout her childhood. After she was married, Barr and her husband moved to the United States. In 1867, her husband and three sons died of yellow fever. In the following year, Amelia Barr and her 3 daughters moved to New York, where Amelia Barr worked as a governess and began to write. Throughout the rest of her life, Amelia Barr wrote over 75 novels and stories that often times referenced historical events. 

Amelia Barr

ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING

"Whoever lives true life will love true love."

quote from Aurora Leigh published in 1856

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a b o u t

1806 - 1861

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was an English poet.She began writing early in childhood, and her mother saved much of her work. Browning was an abolitionist and very vocal in the movement to stop child labor. Elizabeth Barrett Browning married in secret and moved to Italy with her husband. Her work has inspired many other influential writers.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

EMILIE DU CHATELET

"Let us choose for ourselves our path in life and let us strew that path with flowers."

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a b o u t

1706 - 1749

Emilie du Châtelet was a French mathematician and physicist during the Enlightenment. She studied the mathematics published by Newton, Leibniz and Christian Wolff. She also tutored many now-famous physicists and mathematicians. Her extensive knowledge of physics and mathematics allowed her to Newton's works and provide insight of her own. She also wrote on other topics including metaphysics, ethics, and religion. 

Emilie du Chatelet

MARIE CURIE

quote from Madame Curie : A Biography, a book written by Marie Curie's daughter Eve Curie Labouisse published in 1937

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a b o u t

1867 - 1934

Marie Curie was a Polish-French physicist who conducted ground-breaking research on radioactivity. In 1903, she became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and in 1911, she won the Nobel Prize in chemistry. She remains the only person to have received two Nobel Prizes in different subjects. She discovered two elements: polonium and radium, and her work on radioactivity has impacted science and our own lives in many ways.

Marie Curie

Amelia Earhart

"Adventure is worthwhile in itself."

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a b o u t

1897 - disappeared 1937

Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean along with setting many other flying records. She loved adventure from a young age and was continually interested in fields "outside the norm" for women of her time. She is now well-known for her contributions to aviation. In attempt to fly around the world, Amelia Earhart and her plane disappeared. As of today, the full story of her disappearance remains a mystery. Amelia Earhart's courage and sense of adventure inspire us.

Amelia Earhart
George Eliot

GEORGE ELIOT

"It's never too late to be what you might have been."

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a b o u t

1819 - 1880

Born Marie Ann Evans, though most commonly referred to by her pen name, George Eliot was a British writer, most known for her novel Middlemarch. George Eliot's work is praised for its depiction of rural life, along with political and social issues. 

ANNE FRANK

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy."

quote from The Diary of a Young Girl published in 1947

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a b o u t

1929 - 1945

Anne Frank was a Jewish girl who grew up during World War II. Her diary, published after her death, details her life fleeing from the Nazis. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Anne and her family fled to the Netherlands as Hitler rose to power. The family went into hiding as the persecution of Jewish people increased. In 1944, Anne Frank and her family were captured and taken to concentration camps. Anne Frank died months later. Her diary was found and published by her father, the only surviving member of her family. Anne Frank's story has been read by millions of people in countries all around the world.

Anne Frank

MARGARET FULLER

"Today a reader, tomorrow a leader."

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a b o u t

1810 - 1850

Margaret Fuller was an American journalist. Margaret Fuller was well educated by her father in her childhood and became known as the most well-read person in New England. She was the first American, female war correspondent, a passionate feminist, and an abolitionist. 

Margaret Fuller

EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY

"You are loved.'

a b o u t

1892 - 1950

Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950) was an American poet and playwright. Her poetry was unique and came to represent a new, more youthful writing style. Her passion and spirit inspire us.

Edna Millay

QUEEN LilIʻUOKALANI

"Never cease to act because you fear you may fail."

a b o u t

1838 - 1917

Queen Liliʻuokalani was the last sovereign monarch and only queen regent of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Liliʻuokalani was born in Honolulu in 1838 and ascended the throne after her brother's death in 1891. She was forced to abdicate the Hawaiian throne after the islands of Hawaii were annexed by the United States. In addition to her political role, Liliʻuokalani was an author and songwriter.

Lili'uokalani

MARIA MITCHELL

"Science needs women."

quote from "The Need for Women in Science" speech in 1876 to the Fourth Congress of the Association for the Advancement of Women

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a b o u t

1818 - 1889

Maria Mitchell was an American astronomer and naturalist. Growing up, she was interested and skilled at mathematics and astronomy. In 1847, she discovered Comet 1847 VI, which is now known as C/1847 T1. She published her discovery along with calculations of its orbit. She became a professor of astronomy at Vassar College, while conducting astronomical research. She was also involved in the women's suffrage movement.

Maria Mitchell

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE

quote from Notes on Nursing published in 1859

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a b o u t

1820 - 1910

Florence Nightingale was a British nurse and statistician. Her publications advanced communication among those in the medical field and are considered instrumental in the advancement of science. Florence Nightingale was a nurse during the Crimean War, and after the war, she published Notes on Nursing which documented tips for those in the nursing profession. Her writings often utilized clear, easily-understandable language and graphics to help convey the main points - techniques commonly used today.

Florence Nightingale

SACAGAWEA

"Amazing the things you find when you bother to search for them."

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a b o u t

1788 - 1812 or 1884

Sacagawea helped lead the exploration of the western part of the United States with Lewis and Clark. She worked as a translator and peace advocate on the journey. She also made some of her own contributions to natural history. 

There are numerous spellings of Sacagawea's name; however, we have chosen to use Sacagawea as that is the spelling many historians use.

Sacagawea

CLARA SCHUMANN

"Why hurry over beautiful things? Why not linger and enjoy them?"

quote from Music & Letters, an article written by Clara Schumann's student Adelina de Lara published in 1945

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a b o u t

1819 - 1896

Clara Schumann was a German pianist and composer. She was a child prodigy who began touring Europe at age eleven. In her later years, she began to teach piano, becoming the first teacher and only woman on the faculty at Dr. Hoch's Konservatorium. Her pupils were primarily women, many of whom had successful careers in music. 

Clara Schumann

ST CATHERINE OF SIENA

quote from a letter from Catherine to Stefano Maconi

a b o u t

1347 - 1380

St. Catherine of Siena  was an author and the first woman to be appointed a Doctor of the Church. She influenced the Catholic Church, politics, and therefore world history in her time. Catherine of Siena's boldness inspires us.

St Catherine of Siena

ST THERESE DE LISIEUX

"Let us love since that is what our hearts are made for."

a b o u t

1873 - 1397

Thérèse de Lisieux was a French saint known for doing little things with great love. Her kindness, patience, and dedication inspire us.

St Therese de Lisieux

VICTORIA WOODHULL

a b o u t

Victoria Woodhull was a politician and activist.

Victoria Woodhull

SARAH WINNEMUCCA

a b o u t

~1844 - 1891

Sarah Winnemucca was an advocate for Native American rights. As a member of the Northern Paiute tribe, she grew up during conflicts between the US military and Native American tribes. She gave lectures to communicate the injustices suffered by Native American people and compiled her writing into an autobiography, which became the first known autobiography of a Native American woman to be published. 

Sarah Winnemucca
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