Women have been the protagonists in some of the most impactful and important moments in history. Whether it has been on a social level, in the world of science, in arts and culture, or in politics, there have been so many women who have set the precedent for the rest of us with their attitude, their ideas, and, above all, their actions. We owe a debt of gratitude to these women who have pushed us forward, fought for us, and continue to inspire us on a daily basis.
More from MamásLatinas: Powerful quotes by Latinas who inspire and motivate us
In a world ruled by men, women have had to fight to be heard, valued, and be recognized for our capabilities, talents, and accomplishments. That is why in this list we include younger women like Katya Echazarreta, Greta Thunberg, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Malala Yousafzai next to renowned historical figures like Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie, and Mother Teresa.
Each of these women—in her own era and field—have transformed society for the better. Nowadays, women have rights that were previously denied—although there is a long road still ahead—and it's thanks to women like these who raised the bar for all of us.
Katya Echazarreta is the first Mexican-born woman to go to space.
She was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and moved to the US with her family when she was about 8 years old. She went on to become an electrical engineer, science communicator, and Space Tourist Citizen Astronaut. She has worked on five NASA missions. On June 4, 2022, she became the first Mexican-born woman to travel to space aboard Blue Origin as a Space for Humanity Ambassador.
Dr. Ellen Ochoa was the first Latina to go to space.
A proud Mexican-American, Dr. Ochoa became an astronaut in 1989. Just a few years later, in 1993, she became the first Latina to travel to space. She went on to travel to space three more times. She’s logged close to 1,000 hours in space. In 2018, she was inducted into the US Astronaut Hall of Fame.
The Mirabal sisters helped topple a dictatorship.
Patricia, Minerva, and María Teresa were three sisters from the Dominican Republic, who were mothers and fighters. In the late 1950s, they worked in the resistance movement against dictator Rafael Trujillo. All three of them were murdered on November 25, 1960, for their efforts. Their murder upset people so much that it is said to have sparked the outrage that led to the murder of Trujillo just six months later.
Dolores Huerta has been fighting the good fight for decades.
Dolores Huerta is a tireless activist and labor leader. She co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became United Farm Workers. She has spent the majority of her life fighting against discrimination for laborers, immigrants, and women. You can also thank her for coining the slogan “¡Sí, se puede!”
Rita Moreno is a PEGOT winner.
Rita is among some of the most celebrated and talented entertainers in Hollywood. She is on a short list of people with EGOT status—people who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award. And she's on the even shorter list of PEGOT winners—people who have won a Peabody, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. She is a winner in our book because she has spent her entire career fighting against typecasting and advocating for the non-stereotypical representation of Latinos.
Meghan Markle became a member of the British royal family and ushered in change.
The American actress married Prince Harry in 2018, becoming a member of the British royal family. Not only was the fact that she was American a big deal, but she is among the first British royals to be of mixed race. Then she and Prince Harry decided to give up their roles as "senior" royals, which means they no longer receive public funding and are free to work for a living and be financially independent from the British monarchy. She is helping to redefine what it means to be "royal" in modern times.
Check out our Meghan Markle page for all the latest news about Meghan, Prince Harry, and their growing family.
Greta Thunberg is young and mighty.
She was only 15 years old when she decided to protest the Swedish parliament in 2018 over its lack of a response to climate change. She sparked a global movement bringing attention to the crisis and was named Person of the Year by Time in 2019. Yet, she remains humble. “I have not accomplished anything,” she told Time. "I have just acted on my conscience and done what everyone should be doing."
Frida Kahlo was a woman who knew how to push the envelope with her art.
Frida Kahlo transcended the limitations of her era through her works of art, especially her self-portraits, in which she shared so many aspects of her personal struggles and suffering. She is considered one of the influential artists of her day, thanks to the way she showed a side of women and our inner workings that was hardly seen or acknowledged in her time.
Sonia Sotomayor is the first Latina to become an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Born and raised in the Bronx by her Puerto Rican parents, she went on to make history as the first Hispanic woman to become an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Rigoberta Menchú has been a warrior for the rights of the indigenous communities.
The Guatemalan activist received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992 for her tireless work in fighting for the rights of her country's indigenous people and teaching them how to defend themselves against oppression.
Mother Teresa will always be remembered as someone who devoted her life to helping others in need.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta was an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary who founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950. Her life's mission was to care for the poor and those in need.
Malala Yousafzai has made it her mission to fight for education rights for girls.
Ever since she was a little girl, Malala has put her life on the line to fight for the right for girls in Pakistan to have an education. She is now known as one of the most important figures in the fight for equality, after she survived being shot in the face as she fought for her right to go to school. She was only 17 when she was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.
Eva Perón worked on projects to fight for women's equality.
She is a historical figure who generates controversy for many, but her long fight and dedication to women's rights cannot be denied. First while she was first lady of Argentina and later as the founder of the Partido Peronista Femenino between the years 1940 and 1950.
Amelia Earhart was a pioneer in aviation in the US.
She was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean alone and became a pioneer in American aviation.
Hillary Clinton made history in the political world.
Hillary Clinton became the first female presidential candidate nominated by a major party when the Democratic Party chose her to run against Donald Trump in 2016. She lost, but her nomination has opened the door for others, like her, to seek the presidency down the line.
Marie Curie was the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize.
She became the first woman to be awarded the prize for her pioneering research on radioactivity. She then went on to become the first person and only woman to win the award twice—and the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two different sciences.
Coco Chanel changed the fashion world forever.
The French fashion designer and businesswoman, whose name was Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, was the founder of the fashion brand Chanel. She is credited with freeing women from the "corseted silhouette" and, in turn, making a sportier and more casual chic look the standard of style for women.
Eleanor Roosevelt worked to improve human rights.
As the wife of US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor used her time as first lady to fight for women's civil rights and human rights. Her time at the White House made her one of the most popular and beloved first ladies in US history.
Rosa Parks was influential in the civil rights movement.
The African American activist made history with her bravery when she refused to give up her seat at the front of a bus to a white man in the era of segregation. Her arrest led to various protests, and it added fuel to the civil rights movement.
Audrey Hepburn has been recognized for her humanitarian work.
The gorgeous Hollywood star made a name for herself outside of the big screen. Aside from being one of the most recognized movie stars of all time, she dedicated her life to humanitarian work through UNICEF.
Clara Zetkin fought for the right for women to vote.
Clara fought for women's rights and the right for women to vote in the United States. It was Clara who, in 1910, proposed the idea that women be celebrated for International Women's Day every March 8.
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was so influential in the world of literature.
She was a Mexican feminist who was a nun, poet, and scholar who fought for women's rights, especially focusing on education for women. She displayed so much courage to speak out about her beliefs, which was unheard of in the 17th century.
Yalitza Aparicio made history in Hollywood in 2019.
The Mexican actress became the first Mexican Indigenous woman ever to be nominated for an Academy Award for her debut acting role in Roma. Her nomination was enough to open doors for others like her whose dream is to pursue an acting career and one day be nominated for an Oscar.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has made history in politics.
Alexandria is a US representative for New York's 14th congressional district. She became the youngest woman ever to serve in the US Congress in 2018 at age 29, and she was also one of the first female members of the Democratic Socialists of America elected to serve in Congress.
