#WSN International Women's Day 2024
March, a month marked by beginnings and endings. The beginning of spring, and the end of winter. The new buds on trees begin to sprout, the snow dissolves away. Birds chirp and sing bringing in warmer winds, driving out the colder nights. March also has many exciting events. The Oscars take place on the 10th, do people still watch that? A personal favorite, St Patrick’s day on the 17th. But I would have to say, the most important date is March 8th. This day means everything to women around the world. Yes, this is National Women’s Day! All over the world we celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements from women today and throughout history. It’s a day to remind every one of the struggles, and victory over said struggle each and every women face in their own unique way. Throughout history there has been many strong and influential women that we can all find strength and inspiration for our own journey. While there are many, many, MANY women to choose from, but we all have busy days. We picked only 3 world changing women to talk about today. These three women were born in a time of uncertainty, discrimination, and despair. Despite all odd of the times, the people around them and the world being what it was 100 years ago, these women rose above all and made changes that affect our day to day lives.
“I refuse to take no for an answer.” This famous line was said by Bessie Coleman after she became the first African American woman to become a licensed pilot. Bessie Coleman literally came from the bottom of the bottom and rose above (literally) the world to land her recognition amongst the most influential people of the 20th century. As a child she would attend a segregated school while working in the fields to pick cotton (could you imagine!?). Once she was old enough, she attended the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University in Langston, OK. After she would acquire a sponsorship to study abroad. She would study in France to fly. In June 1921 Bessie became the first black woman wo earn an aviation pilots license, and international aviation license. Once she returned to the states would partake in particularly dangerous air shows, earning her nicknames such as “Queen Bess” and “Brave Bessie”. Bessie channeled her inner Icarus and relived her worldly shackles to soar above the world. Never doubt yourself, learn from Bessie Coleman.
Computer scientist, mathematician and United States Rear Admiral are just a few career tittles to describe Grace Hopper. Born in December 1906 as Grace Brewster Murray. As a child she was very curious, a trait that seemed to last her lifetime. At a young age she loved to find out how things worked, even dismantling a clock in her house to her mother’s despair. During her middle life she enlisted to join the United States Navy. Although she was denied, her determination landed her a spot within the Navy Reserves. This was in the 1940’s! What a woman. Grace is most importantly known as the “Mother of Computing”. She wrote the first compiler (a program that translates computer code written in one computing language to another). Without Grace, you would not even be able to read this! Women everywhere can look up in awe and inspiration at the pioneer that is Grace Hopper.
With such a roster, is hard to believe there could be any woman that could call themselves a peer among these two. But the Woman, the myth, the legend Hedy Lamarr would stand tall amongst these two. Hedy Lamarr had a wild career that spanned from Hollywood to the patent office. Her most famous movie – Samson and Delilah 1989 – was the highest grossing film of 1950 at the time of its release. But more importantly than Hollywood, she was an inventor! She shared the concept of “frequency hopping” with the U.S. Navy (seems to be a theme today). This as well as her work on developing a patent with George Antheil is what modern day Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth communications are based on. Without her, modern means of communication might not exist. Could you imagine no cellphones or Wi-Fi? We all owe a moment of thanks for broadening the worlds means of communication.
These three women taught me that anything is possible no matter what. If we all can channel our own willpower and determination nothing can stop each and every one of us from achieving our goals and be who we all want to be.
-What She Needs
