"I never realized until lately that
women were supposed to be the
inferior sex."
~Katharine Hepburn

Charlotte Forte Grimke, born this day
in 1837. In keeping journals of her daily
life-she gave the world a snapshot of the
life a free African Amercian in antebellum
North. A member of the Salem Female
Anti-slavery Society, a poet and educator.
Teaching in South Carolina during the 1860's
inspired her essays, "Life on the Sea Island"
published in The Atlantic Monthly. Later Ms.
Grimke was appointed clerk of the U.S.
Treasury Department.

Hazel Gladys Bishop, born this day in 1906.
A chemist and inventor, she was the first
woman to appear on the cover of Business
Week in 1951. Best known for inventing
non-smear lipstick. "Stays on you, not on him."
Kissproof lipstick launched her company
Hazel Bishop, Inc. making ten million in the first
years.

"You can lead a horticulture, but
you can't make her think."
~Dorothy Parker

Letitia Elizabeth Landon, born this day
in 1802. An English poet and novelist,
her work was meloncholy and romantic
and very popular in her life time.

Laura Drake Gill, born this day in 1860.
Known for establishing organized work
placement of educated and professional
women. She went on to work for the Red
Cross during WWI in Cuba, using her skills
to place nurses throughout the world. A
Liberty Ship was named in her honor.

Lina Wertmuller, born this day in 1929.
Italain film director, she started her career
as assistant director in Federico Fellini's
8 1/2. The first woman nomated for Best
Director in 1977 for her film, "Seven Beauties".
Ms. Wermuller latest film is, "Too Much Romance,
It's Time for Stuffed Peppers", 2004. Her work
is highly personal-reflecting her views on politics,
and feminism.

"You never find yourself until
you face the truth."
~Pearl Bailey

Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, born this
day in 1815. An author, she wrote
57 volumes of fiction, essays, and
poetry. "The Tenth of January",
tells the true story about scores of
factory girls who died in a mill fire
in Lawrence, MA. in 1859. This
example reflects the focus of her
work and beliefs:social justice,reform
and women's rights.

Lucy Stone, born this day in 1818. A
pioneer in women's suffrage. As a
publisher, she founded, "The Woman's
Journal", in 1870.

Annie Oakley, born this day in 1860.
Named "Little Sure Shot", by Cheif
Sitting Bull; Ms. Oakely traveled with
Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Her abilities
with fire arms made her world famous. In-
spring the film, "Annie Get Your Gun".

"One cannot consent to creep
when one has an impulse to
soar."
~Helen Keller

Anna Julia Cooper born this day
in 1858. A scholar, social activisit,
college president, and writer. The
first African-American Feminist, Ms.
Cooper first book published in 1892,
"A Voice from the South by a Black
Woman of the South." She called
for social change; a fledgling feminsit
movement did little for their minority
women. Ms. Cooper was born into
slavery and lived to see the birth
of the Civil Rights Movement.

This day in 1993 Ruth Bader Ginsburg
was sworn in to serve on the Supreme
Court.

"It is our duty to make this world a better
place for women."
~Christable Pankhurst

Mary Randolph Randolph born this day
in 1762. Author of , "The Virginia House-
wife." First published in 1824, it is rarely
out print. It is not only a cookbook, but a
history book of early Amercian manners
and dining.

Anna Peck Sill born this day in 1816.
Founder of Rockford College for Women.
In 1847 she started teaching in an old
downtown courthouse, with few students
and the only teacher- she stood by her
dream of education of women.

Janie Porter Barrett born this day in 1865.
A welfare worker and educator Ms. Barrett
founded The Locust Street Social Settlement
in 1890 in Norfolk, Va. It helped poor women,
through education, job skills training and educating
their children. In 1908, she founded the Va. Federation
of Colored Women's Club. In 1914, with the help
of Mary Cooke-Branch Mumford and Maggie Lena
Walker, a farm was purchased in Hanover County
Va. It provided a safe house, medical care, job
training for unmarried women of color and for
their children. In 1948, the General Assembly of
Va. named the Hanover County School in honor
of Ms Barrett.

This day in 1956 the women of South Africa
protested the "pass law" also known as the
dompas. It was the most despised symbols
of apartheid.