Admirable Women

A vintage black-and-white engraved portrait of Victorian poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, shown in a three-quarter view seated in an upholstered armchair. She is a woman in her thirties or forties with large expressive dark eyes and a gentle, introspective expression as she gazes directly at the viewer. Her dark hair falls in soft, full ringlets around her face and over her shoulders, parted in the middle with a small decorative hair accessory visible. She wears a dark, long-sleeved Victorian dress with a fitted bodice buttoned down the front, wide puffed sleeves, a white lace collar and cuffs, and a voluminous skirt. In her lap rests some papers, which she holds with her left hand; her right hand holds a quill pen. Behind her is a softly rendered background with foliage and rose bushes, evoking a serene indoor or garden-like setting. The overall style is a detailed 19th-century steel engraving or lithograph, with fine shading and cross-hatching to create depth and texture.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning, one of the Victorian era's most celebrated English poets, was renowned for her lyrical, passionate & intellectually rich work.

She expanded what women could write about and how seriously they were taken. She was born #OTD in 1806. #WomensHistoryMonth #poetry #literature

A dramatic black-and-white close-up photographic portrait of artist Georgia O'Keeffe by Alfred Stieglitz, presented in high contrast with deep shadows and rich tones. She is shown from the shoulders up, facing slightly to her left but gazing upward and off-frame with a calm, intense, and contemplative expression. Her face is sharply defined, featuring high cheekbones, smooth skin, almond-shaped eyes with a direct yet introspective look, a straight nose, and full lips set in a subtle, serious line. Her dark hair is pulled back tightly into a sleek bun or chignon, emphasizing the elegant lines of her neck and jaw. She wears a dark, deep V-neck garment that reveals a light underlayer at the collarbone. Behind her floats an abstract, textured background resembling a large, circular moon-like form dotted with irregular light spots and organic patterns, evoking a sense of mystery and modernism.

A vibrant large-scale oil painting by Georgia O'Keeffe titled Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 (1932), depicting an enormous close-up view of a single white jimson weed (datura) flower dominating the canvas. The flower is rendered with precise, sensual detail: its trumpet-shaped bloom is pure creamy white, with velvety petals that curl gracefully outward and inward, their edges tinged with subtle pale green and yellow highlights. At the center, the flower's throat reveals delicate green pistils and stamens with small white anthers. Surrounding the blossom are bold, sweeping dark green leaves and calyxes in deep emerald and jade tones, their forms curving fluidly to frame the flower like protective waves. The background transitions from rich green foliage at the bottom to a luminous blue sky with soft cloud-like gradients at the top, creating a sense of the flower floating ethereally against the heavens. The style is characteristically modernist and magnified—clean lines, smooth gradients, intense color contrasts, and a focus on organic form that conveys both serenity and bold sensuality.

#OTD in 1986, Georgia O'Keeffe died at the age of 98.

O'Keeffe, a prolific artist known for her paintings of enlarged flowers, NY skyscrapers & New Mexico landscapes, is recognized as the "Mother of American modernism."

okeeffemuseum.org

#WHM #WomensHistoryMonth #art

A composite motivational image featuring a painted portrait of Pearl S. Buck on the left side and a block quote on the right. The portrait shows an older Pearl S. Buck, an American novelist and Nobel laureate, depicted in a realistic oil-painting style against a dark background. She has white hair styled in soft waves with a thoughtful, dignified expression. Her light blue eyes gaze directly at the viewer with quiet intensity. She wears pearl earrings, a pearl necklace, and a deep black off-the-shoulder velvet or satin dress. Her right left rests under her chin in a contemplative pose, with a prominent ring visible on her finger. The painting is signed in the lower right with what appears to be "Boone '21" or a similar mark. To the right of the portrait is a rectangular brown panel containing the quote in white text: "When good people in any country cease their vigilance and struggle, then evil men prevail." Below the quote, attribution reads "Pearl S. Buck" in smaller text. The overall design combines classic portraiture with inspirational typography on a dark, elegant background, evoking themes of wisdom, responsibility, and moral vigilance.

"When good people in any country cease their vigilance and struggle, then evil men prevail."

~Pearl S. Buck, #Pulitzer and #Nobel Prize (Literature) winning writer and novelist, died #OTD in 1973 #WHM #WomensHistoryMonth

A motivational montage image celebrating adventurer Tori Murden McClure, featuring a main action photo on the left and an inset formal portrait on the upper right. The primary photograph shows Tori Murden, a woman in her thirties with short brown hair, wearing sunglasses and a black short-sleeved top, triumphantly raising one arm (holding a cap) while seated and rowing in a small, specialized ocean rowboat named "SECTOR" on calm open ocean waters under a clear blue sky. The sleek, narrow boat is painted white with red and black accents, featuring bold branding including "SECTOR" in large letters, "NO LIMITS" slogan, "SOLA" (likely indicating solar-powered elements), American flags, sponsor logos like "JCR" and "TJR," solar panels on the deck, two long oars extended into the water (one with a paddle visible), a small cabin window, an antenna or mast, and the boat partially submerged in choppy blue-green sea waves. In the upper right corner is a smaller rectangular inset headshot of an older Tori Murden McClure in a professional setting: she has short dark hair, warm smile, wearing small earrings, and a dark blazer over a white blouse, posed against a neutral background in a formal portrait style. The overall composition highlights her historic achievement as the first woman and first American to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1999, blending adventure and accomplishment.

Tori Murden McClure is the first woman to row solo & unassisted across the Atlantic Ocean.

She rowed. 🚣‍♀️😮

She completed the 3,300-mile journey from the Canary Islands to Guadeloupe in 81 days in a 23-foot custom boat named the 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭.

She was born #OTD in 1963. #WomensHistoryMonth

A vintage black-and-white studio portrait of Lucy Hobbs Taylor, the first woman in the United States to earn a degree in dentistry (1866), taken in the late 19th century. She is a young woman in her 30s with a serious, composed expression, gazing directly at the camera. Her dark hair is parted in the center and pulled back into a neat bun. She wears a dark Victorian-style dress with a high collar, a light ruffled or lace collar insert, and a fitted bodice with subtle detailing. Her hands rest calmly in her lap, conveying quiet determination and professionalism. The plain backdrop and soft lighting emphasize her dignified presence as a trailblazing figure who overcame gender barriers to become a licensed dentist and advocate for women in medicine.

Happy #DentistsDay! 😬

Lucy Hobbs Taylor is the first American woman to graduate dental school (Ohio College of Dental Surgery, 1866).

By 1900, ~1,000 women had followed her into dentistry, an increase many attribute to her accomplishments.

#WomensHistoryMonth #WHM #WomenInSTEM

A classic color portrait of Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to fly in space, taken in her mid-20s shortly after her 1963 Vostok 6 mission. She is in full Soviet Air Force uniform, wearing a brown military jacket with blue and red shoulder boards, a tie, and a chest covered in numerous medals and orders (including the Hero of the Soviet Union star, Lenin Order, and others). Her short dark hair is neatly styled, and she gazes to the right of the camera with a calm, resolute, and dignified expression against a plain blue-gray background. The image highlights her pioneering role as the first female cosmonaut and her decorated status as a national hero of the Soviet Union.

A color photograph taken at the Science Museum's Cosmonauts exhibition, showing Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova standing beside a full-scale replica or original Vostok 6 spacecraft capsule. The spherical, dark metallic capsule with a circular window and visible hatch is displayed on a stand under dramatic red lighting. Tereshkova, an older woman with short gray hair, wears a dark patterned jacket over a light blouse, and looks toward the camera with a composed, proud expression. The image captures her as the first woman in space (June 16, 1963), standing next to the very vehicle she piloted during her historic solo Vostok 6 mission.

Engineer/cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova was just 26 when she became the first woman to fly in space (16 June 1963, Vostok 6).

Only woman to ever fly a solo space mission, she spent 3 days in space orbiting Earth 48 times (in that 👇). Born #OTD in 1937. #WomenInSTEM #WHM #WomensHistoryMonth

I will definitely look that up. Thanks for sharing, bixtram.

Despite her qualifications & 10,000+ flight hours, she was barred from spaceflight due to this "circular trap:"

NASA required all astronaut candidates to be graduates of military jet test pilot programs but...the US Air Force & Navy didn't allow women into these training programs.

A classic black-and-white photograph of Geraldyn “Jerrie” Cobb, pioneering American aviator and astronaut candidate, seated in the cockpit of a high-performance jet aircraft during the early 1960s. She wears a flight helmet with visor, oxygen mask connected to a hose, and flight suit with patches. Her expression is calm, focused, and determined as she looks upward slightly toward the sky, evoking her role as the first woman to pass the same astronaut screening tests as NASA's Mercury Seven men and her status as the top contender in the Mercury 13 program. The image captures her courage, skill, and groundbreaking ambition in an era when women were excluded from spaceflight due to gender bias.

Jerrie Cobb should have been the first woman in #space. 🚀

Due to gender bias, she wasn't.

Part of the Mercury 13 (women), she passed the same tests as the Mercury Seven astronauts (men), often ranking in the top 2% (including compared to the men). She was born #OTD in 1931.

#WomensHistoryMonth

A warm, color portrait photograph of evolutionary biologist Lynn Margulis seated outdoors next to the textured trunk of a large tree. She is smiling brightly and directly at the camera with a joyful, approachable expression, her eyes sparkling with warmth and intelligence. She has short, curly graying hair, and wears small stud earrings. Her outfit is a patterned blouse or dress in deep purple with floral accents in beige, gold, and brown tones.

Evolutionary biologist Lynn Margulis' groundbreaking work revolutionized our understanding of life's origins and evolution, and how complex life began. She was born #OTD in 1938.

+ Elected, US National Academy of Sciences, 1983
+ National Medal of Science, 1999

#WomenInSTEM #WomensHistoryMonth

A color photograph of Rose Gottemoeller, American diplomat and arms control expert, speaking at a United Nations press briefing or formal event. She is seated at a table with a microphone bearing the UN logo in front of her, wearing a dark blazer over a light pink blouse with a collar, a pearl necklace, and small gold earrings. Her short graying hair is neatly styled, and she has a focused, serious expression with her mouth slightly open as she speaks, her hands resting on the table near a stack of papers and notes. The background shows the blue UN emblem with a world map, emphasizing her role in nuclear non-proliferation, arms control negotiations (including New START), and high-level U.S. and NATO diplomacy on disarmament and security issues.

Rose Gottemoeller was chief negotiator of the New START Treaty (US/Russia).

The treaty expired 5 Feb 26 leaving no legally binding limits on US/Russian nuclear warheads (capped at 1,550 each under New START). 1st time since 1972.

It's Internat'l Day for #Disarmament & Non-Proliferation Awareness.

Close-up portrait of Setsuko Thurlow (born 1932), Japanese-Canadian atomic bomb survivor, taken in 2017 during an event. The older woman is shown in three-quarter view facing slightly left with a warm, gentle smile conveying joy, wisdom, and quiet resilience. She has short, neatly styled dark hair with soft curls, and red lipstick accentuating her open-mouthed smile or speech. She wears a red top or blouse partially visible under a gray blazer or jacket, and a small red pin or brooch on the lapel. The background is softly blurred with hints of purple fabric and another person nearby, suggesting an indoor gathering or conference setting. Her expression radiates hope and compassion, reflecting her lifelong advocacy for nuclear disarmament and peace.

Setsuko Thurlow survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on 6 Aug 1945. She's a nuclear disarmament campaigner known throughout the world for being a leading figure of the International Campaign to Abolish #Nuclear weapons (ICAN). #WHM

Internat'l Day for #Disarmament & Non-Proliferation Awareness.

Black-and-white formal portrait of Alva Myrdal (1902–1986), the Swedish diplomat, sociologist, politician, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She is photographed against a dark background, resting her chin thoughtfully on her left hand, which displays a large, ornate ring. Her expression is calm, wise, and slightly introspective, with deep-set eyes, fine lines of age, and a gentle smile. Her silver-gray hair is styled in a soft, voluminous updo typical of the mid-20th century, and she wears a dark tailored jacket or dress with a simple collar, along with a distinctive metal wristwatch on her left arm. Alva Myrdal was a pioneering figure in social policy, women's rights, and international disarmament. With her husband Gunnar Myrdal, she co-authored the influential 1934 book Kris i befolkningsfrågan (Crisis in the Population Question), which shaped Sweden's progressive family and welfare policies. She served as Sweden's Minister for Disarmament and Church Affairs (1966–1973), headed UNESCO's social science department, and played a key role in the United Nations. In 1982, she shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Alfonso García Robles for her lifelong work on nuclear disarmament and peace advocacy through organizations like the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and Pugwash Conferences. Known for her intellectual rigor, feminist principles, and commitment to global justice, she remains an icon of principled leadership in diplomacy and social reform.#AlvaMyrdal #NobelPeacePrize #Disarmament #SIPRI

Alva Myrdal was a Swedish sociologist, diplomat & a prominent leader of the disarmament movement. She shared the #Nobel Peace Prize in 1982 (w/A. Robles) "for their work for disarmament & nuclear and weapon-free zones." #WHM

It's International Day for #Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness.

She is alive and well, turning 64 today! You may be thinking of Florence Joyner (Flo Jo), her sister-in-law.

Color photograph of Alice Rivlin (1931–2019), prominent American economist, public policy expert, and the first woman to serve as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (1994–1996) under President Clinton, as well as founding director of the Congressional Budget Office. The image, likely from the 1990s or early 2000s, shows her in a close-up, three-quarter view facing slightly right, speaking or listening intently at what appears to be a press conference or panel. She has short, neatly styled dark brown hair, warm brown eyes, and a serious, thoughtful expression with slightly furrowed brows. Her lips are painted red, and she wears small gold hoop earrings, a light blue collared blouse under a dark navy or black blazer, and a microphone positioned in front of her. The background is softly blurred, suggesting an indoor formal setting with neutral tones. Her poised, authoritative demeanor reflects her influential career in fiscal policy, budget analysis, and economic advising.

Economist Alice Rivlin was born #OTD in 1931.

Instrumental in the establishment of the Congressional Budget Office & its founding director (1975-83). First woman to hold these posts:

+ Vice chair, Federal Reserve (1996-99)
+ Director, Office of Management & Budget (1994-96)

#WomensHistoryMonth

A four-panel collage honoring trailblazing women who have shaped the global wine world across centuries: Top left: Madeline Triffon, the first American woman to become a Master Sommelier (1987), smiling warmly in a cozy indoor setting. She has short dark hair, wears a black top, small hoop earrings, and holds a glass of white wine while seated at a wooden table with a candle and notebook nearby. Center: Historical oil painting of Madame Clicquot (Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, Veuve Clicquot), the legendary 19th-century French champagne pioneer and businesswoman. She is depicted in a classic Romantic-era portrait wearing a white lace bonnet and shawl over a dark dress, with soft lighting highlighting her composed, dignified expression and translucent fabric. Right of Center: Pascaline Lepeltier MS, the first woman awarded the prestigious “Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France – Classe Sommellerie” (Best Craftsman of France in Sommellerie), shown in a modern professional portrait. She holds a large wine glass of red wine to her lips, wearing dark-framed glasses, dark hair pulled back, and a sleek black blazer, smiling confidently against a neutral gray background. Bottom left: Sarah Morphew Stephen, the first woman to become a Master of Wine (1970), captured in a relaxed setting. The older woman with short white hair is seated and wearing a blue ribbed sweater, pearl necklace and earrings, and smiling gently in natural daylight with greenery visible through a window behind her. The composition celebrates the historical and contemporary contributions of women to winemaking, business, criticism, education, and sommellerie excellence.

Notable First Women in Wine History 🍷

From a young widow who reshaped the Champagne industry & the first female winemaker in California’s Napa Valley, these six pioneers paved the way for women to pursue careers in wine.

wineenthusiast.com/culture/wine...

#WHM #vintner #WomensHistoryMonth

Well, Zaharias was named Woman Athlete of the Half Century in 1950 but multiple people here agree with you that she was the greatest of the entire 20th century. Me? I'm just happy so many know of Zaharias.

bsky.app/profile/admi...

Striking portrait of Miriam Makeba (1932–2008), the legendary South African singer, civil rights activist, and Grammy-winning "Mama Africa," captured in a warm, dramatic low-key lighting style. She is shown in close-up, three-quarter view facing slightly left, with a calm, confident, and knowing expression—her dark eyes gazing directly at the viewer with a subtle, warm smile. Her skin glows richly against the deep brown background.Makeba wears a striking traditional African-inspired headwrap of intricate metallic beaded mesh in silver and gold tones. Around her neck is a multi-layered choker of thick gold neck rings, complemented by large, dangling gold earrings and multiple thin gold bangles stacked on her left arm. Her arms are crossed gently over her chest, emphasizing poise and strength. The rich earth-tone backdrop and soft shadowing highlight her dignified presence, elegance, and cultural pride, evoking her powerful legacy in anti-apartheid activism and global music.

Miriam Makeba, "Mama Africa," was a South African singer whose voice stirred hopes of freedom among millions in her country with music that was banned by the apartheid authorities she struggled against.

She was born #OTD in 1932. #WHM #WomensHistoryMonth

Two dynamic action shots of American track and field icon Jackie Joyner-Kersee in competition. Top image: Jackie mid-javelin throw in a stadium with orange seating. She wears a red-and-white top with bib number 578 on her chest, long hair pulled back. Her right arm about to drive the javelin forward, left arm across her chest, face lifted in fierce concentration. Bottom image: Jackie clearing hurdles in rain during an outdoor track event. Water streaks across the frame as she leaps over a barrier in mid-flight. She wears a navy-blue USA with white and red accents, bib number 33 or 6 visible, white track spikes, and her hair pulled back. Her leading left leg extends straight over the hurdle, trailing right leg tucked, arms pumping for rhythm, muscles engaged, expression focused amid splashing rain and a blurred stadium crowd in the background. The paired photos showcase her exceptional athleticism and versatility across heptathlon events, including javelin and hurdles.

Voted the Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century

🎈Happy Birthday Jackie Joyner-Kersee! 🎈

3 gold 1 silver 2 bronze medals (long jump & heptathlon) at 4 different Olympic Games. She's held the women's heptathlon world record since 1988. She was born #OTD in 1962. #champion

#WomensHistoryMonth

A composite graphic featuring two elements related to Elisabeth Blackwell and her pioneering botanical work. On the left, a framed black-and-white historical portrait (likely an engraving) of Elisabeth Blackwell (c. 1707–1758), the 18th-century Scottish botanical illustrator. She is shown in three-quarter view facing slightly left, with a calm, composed expression, wearing a period gown with a low neckline and her dark hair styled in elaborate curls and a long curled ponytail draped over her right shoulder. On the right, placed adjacent, is the colorful modern book cover of A Curious Herbal: Elisabeth Blackwell's Pioneering Masterpiece of Botanical Art, edited by Marta McDowell. The cover has a cream background with a delicate central illustration of a flowering plant (likely nasturtium) featuring red-and-yellow blooms, green leaves, and a thin stem with a small red berry or bud. The title appears in elegant serif typography at the top in dark red, with the subtitle "Elisabeth Blackwell's Pioneering Masterpiece of Botanical Art" below in smaller black text, and "Edited by Marta McDowell" at the bottom. The overall design evokes historical botanical illustration while highlighting Blackwell’s influential 1737–1739 work, one of the first herbals created and published by a woman.

Elizabeth Blackwell (1699–c. 1758) was penniless, her husband in a London debtor’s prison.

A talented artist, she created an illustrated guide to medicinal plants entitled 𝘊𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘣𝘢𝘭 (published ~1738). It was hailed for its usefulness to doctors & apothecaries. #WorldWildlifeDay #art #botany

Indeed, winning in physics. She was also the first to win 2 Nobels and remains the only person--male or female--to win two Nobels in two different science categories (physics, chemistry). What a rockstar!

Thank you for the shout out, Ali! 🌷

Celebrating Jane Goodall on this #WorldWildlifeDay.

She was a British primatologist, ethnologist, anthropologist & founder of the Jane Goodall Institute. #WomenInSTEM

Film for #WomensHistoryMonth: 𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘦, a 2017 biographical documentary (streaming).

Her work made universal newborn screening standard globally & transformed outcomes for generations of children by shifting from delayed intervention to identification at birth. Credited with largely inventing modern pediatric audiology. She died in 2014 at age 100. #WomenInSTEM #WorldHearingDay #WHM

Color studio portrait of Marion Downs (1913–2014), renowned American audiologist and pioneer in pediatric audiology. She sits posed against a neutral gray background with a gentle smile. She has short, wavy silver-white hair, warm brown eyes, and light makeup with pink lipstick. She wears a light gray satin blouse with subtle polka dots, small gold earrings, a gold watch, and a wedding ring. Her left hand rests on her hip. She is dressed in a matching gray skirt, exuding poise and accomplishment in this formal seated pose. #WomensHistoryMonth #WHM #audiology

Before Marion Downs, childhood hearing loss wasn’t caught until age 3+. #WorldHearingDay

The 𝘔𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤 𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 advocated for early detection/intervention & established the first large-scale newborn screening program (1963), proving early intervention is the key to language. #WomenInSTEM

Are you saying you like ice cream, IQS? 🍧😄

Vintage 19th-century scientific illustration of the female paper nautilus octopus (Argonauta argo), depicted in delicate watercolor style. The cephalopod is shown in side view, partially emerging from its translucent, spiral, papery shell with a scalloped, frilled edge resembling a nautilus shell. Its body is mottled in shades of blue, pink, and beige with textured skin and numerous small suckers visible on the arms; large, expressive blue eye prominent; eight arms extend outward, one elongated and trailing downward. The artwork highlights the fragile, self-secreted egg-case shell that Jeanne Villepreux-Power famously studied and proved was produced by the animal itself.

Using her aquaria, she studied the paper nautilus (𝘈𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘢 𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘰), a pelagic #octopus. Villepreux-Power proved that the females secrete their own egg-case shells, debunking Aristotle's myth of shell theft. A pioneer of #cephalopod science!

#MarineBiology #WomenInSTEM #WomensHistoryMonth #WHM

Sepia-toned 1861 photograph by André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri of Jeanne Villepreux-Power (1794–1871), pioneering French marine biologist and inventor of the glass aquarium. She stands in three-quarter profile facing left, leaning elegantly on a tall decorative pedestal vase adorned with flowers. She wears a formal Victorian gown with a fitted bodice of intricate black lace over dark fabric, long lace sleeves, and a voluminous hoop-skirted skirt. Her dark hair is styled in a low chignon, and she gazes thoughtfully to the side in a studio setting with a neutral backdrop.

Jeanne Villepreux-Power (1794–1871), pioneering French marine biologist, invented the first glass aquarium for scientific study in 1832.

Her sealed tanks (with aeration & water stability) enabled live observation of sea creatures, which was revolutionary in marine research. #WomenInSTEM #WHM (1/2)