Throughout history, there have been a number of notable queer women who have made their mark on the world. From Queen Christina of Sweden to Anne Lister, these brave individuals were not afraid to express themselves and live openly as lesbians, even when it was illegal or not talked about. Queen Christina of Sweden (1626–1689) … Read more
Dolores O’Riordan was an Irish singer, songwriter and musician. She was the lead vocalist for the rock band The Cranberries from 1990 until their dissolution in 2003 and again from 2009 until her death in 2018. Her first solo album, Are You Listening?, was released in 2007. Dolores O’Riordan won numerous awards throughout her career, … Read more
Constance Lloyd was an Irish trailblazing women, feminist, and social activists in the 19th century. Today, however, she is sadly remembered mainly for being the wife of Irish author Oscar Wilde. Constance Lloyd: Early Life & Childhood She was born in 1858 to an English family living in Dublin, Ireland. Constance Lloyd: Her Career Lloyd’s … Read more
Willem Arondeus: Who Was He? Arondeus was a Dutch artist and author who is best known for his role in the resistance during World War II. In 1943, he founded Brandarisbrief, a publication that criticized the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands and advocated for resistance. He also led a group of resistance fighters in an … Read more
Toni Morrison: What was Toni Morrison most famous for? Toni Morrison was a world-renowned writer, educator, and editor. She authored 11 novels, as well as children’s books, nonfiction works, and plays. She was a true trailblazing black female writer, and gather many accolades and awards for her writing. She was the first black female author … Read more
In May 1940, Cécile Rol-Tanguy’s father was imprisoned by the Vichy regime. Her partner, Henri, was off fighting, far away from Paris. Her daughter, Françoise, passed away only a few days before, just as the Nazis invaded the city. Shortly after, she found out that her father was sent to Auschwitz, where he passed away … Read more
Golda Meir: Who Was She? Golda Meir (1898 – 1976) was an Israeli political leader who served as the fourth Prime Minister of Israel. She was the first ever female Prime Minister of Israel, and only the 3rd woman in the world to lead a state. Born in Kiev, Ukraine, she immigrated to the United … Read more
Honored for her contributions to the field of cardiology, Helen B. Taussig was a highly respected medical researcher and practitioner. A leading authority on congenital heart defects, she helped develop the field of pediatric cardiology and pioneered surgical treatments that have saved countless lives. Helen Brooke Taussig: Childhood & Early Life Born in 1898 in … Read more
“And so, on May 13th, 1958, I found myself fighting against modern slavery: hunger!” So wrote Carolina Maria de Jesus in her journal, in one of São Paulo’s poorest favelas (slums). Carolina was born to descendants of slavers, only went to school for two years, and still wrote an international best-seller. Her journal, which was … Read more
She was one of Hollywood’s first stars, known as America’s Sweetheart (despite being born in Canada), but she was also a savvy businesswoman. Along with Douglas Fairbanks (who would later become her husband), Charlie Chaplin, and the producer W.D Griffith, founded the only independent movie studio in Hollywood’s glamour age. Mary Pickford: Childhood Mary Pickford … Read more
“My beauty was my curse, so-to-speak. It created an impenetrable shield between people and who I really was, and made people view me in only one light.” So said Hedy Lamarr, one of the most amazing women of the 20th century and the stars of Hollywood during it’s Golden Age. Lamarr was called “the most … Read more
Portland, under the leadership of Dr. Esther Pohl, was the only city on the West Coast that didn’t have any deaths from bubonic plague.
