Marlo Thomas First Single Working Woman on Television Click to Preview Groundbreaker Johnnetta Cole Groundbreaking Scholar & College President Click to Preview Groundbreaker Gloria Steinem Feminist Activist Click to Preview Groundbreaker Rebecca Adamson Global Activist For Indigenous People Click to Preview Groundbreaker Hillary Rodham Clinton Crusader for Women Click to Preview Groundbreaker Katie Couric Network News Pioneer Click to Preview Groundbreaker Lilly Ledbetter Equal Pay for Equal Work Click to Preview Groundbreaker Susan Brownmiller Author, "Against Our Will" Click to Preview Groundbreaker Christiane Amanpour International War Correspondent & Author Click to Preview Groundbreaker Malika Saada Saar Human Rights For Girls Click to Preview Groundbreaker Pat Foote Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Click to Preview Groundbreaker
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groundbreakers Groundbreakers The Groundbreakers were selected by the filmmakers in consultation with an expert advisory panel. They are firsts in their fields, visionary role models or frontline activists who sparked, and some who opposed, change for women. See all Groundbreakers
Ursula Burns Ursula Burns CEO, Xerox Corporation Groundbreaker Michelle Rhee Michelle Rhee Education Reformer Groundbreaker Brenda Berkman Brenda Berkman First NYC Female Firefighters Groundbreaker Sandra Cisneros Sandra Cisneros Pioneering Latina Writer Groundbreaker Barbara Smith Barbara Smith Groundbreaking Publisher of Women of Color Groundbreaker Rebecca Adamson Rebecca Adamson Global Activist For Indigenous People Groundbreaker Byllye Avery Byllye Avery Women's Health Advocate Groundbreaker Dusty Roads Dusty Roads Stewardess Fighting Discrimination Groundbreaker Barbara Walters Barbara Walters First Woman Co-Anchor of Network Evening News Groundbreaker Johnnetta Cole Johnnetta Cole Groundbreaking Scholar & College President Groundbreaker Muriel Siebert Muriel Siebert First Lady of Wall Street Groundbreaker Theresa Kane Theresa Kane Nun Who Confronted the Pope Groundbreaker Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Ileana Ros-Lehtinen First Latina Elected to Congress Groundbreaker Nora Ephron Nora Ephron Writer & Director Groundbreaker Carol Burnett Carol Burnett First Woman Variety Show Host Groundbreaker Diane Nash Diane Nash CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER Groundbreaker Carol Gilligan Carol Gilligan Groundbreaking Pscyhologist Groundbreaker Charlotte Bunch Charlotte Bunch INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S RIGHTS ACTIVIST Groundbreaker Ellen DeGeneres Ellen DeGeneres Comedian Groundbreaker Linda Alvarado Linda Alvarado CEO, Alvarado Construction, Inc. Groundbreaker Nichelle Nichols Nichelle Nichols Star Trek Actress & NASA Recruiter Groundbreaker Sarah Weddington Sarah Weddington Roe v. Wade Attorney Groundbreaker Sheryl Sandberg Sheryl Sandberg Facebook COO Groundbreaker Diane English Diane English Creator of "Murphy Brown" Groundbreaker Dr. Susan Love Dr. Susan Love Breast Cancer Pioneer Groundbreaker Judy Blume Judy Blume Best-Selling Author Groundbreaker Shirley Tilghman Shirley Tilghman Molecular Biologist & Princeton President Groundbreaker Vivian Stringer Vivian Stringer Champion College Basketball Coach Groundbreaker Madeleine Albright Madeleine Albright FIRST FEMALE SECRETARY OF STATE Groundbreaker Marissa Mayer Marissa Mayer CEO of Yahoo! Groundbreaker France Córdova France Córdova First Female Chief Scientist at NASA Groundbreaker Diane von Furstenberg Diane von Furstenberg Iconic Fashion Designer Groundbreaker Gloria Steinem Gloria Steinem Feminist Activist Groundbreaker Kay Bailey Hutchison Kay Bailey Hutchison U.S. Senator (R-Texas) Groundbreaker Andrea Jung Andrea Jung First Female CEO of AVON Groundbreaker Elizabeth Blackburn Elizabeth Blackburn Nobel-Prize Winning Biologist Groundbreaker Phyllis Schlafly Phyllis Schlafly Conservative Activist Groundbreaker Amy Richards Amy Richards Co-Founder, Third Wave Foundation Groundbreaker Christiane Amanpour Christiane Amanpour International War Correspondent & Author Groundbreaker Violet Palmer Violet Palmer First Female NBA Referee Groundbreaker Pat Foote Pat Foote Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Groundbreaker Lilly Ledbetter Lilly Ledbetter Equal Pay for Equal Work Groundbreaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy Pelosi First Female Speaker of the US House Of Representatives Groundbreaker Pat Eng Pat Eng Founder, New York Asian Women's Center Groundbreaker Kathrine Switzer Kathrine Switzer First Woman to Enter the Boston Marathon Groundbreaker Danica Patrick Danica Patrick Champion Race Car Driver Groundbreaker Lynn Povich Lynn Povich First Female Sr. Editor at Newsweek Groundbreaker Malika Saada Saar Malika Saada Saar HUMAN RIGHTS FOR GIRLS Groundbreaker Susan Brownmiller Susan Brownmiller Author, "Against Our Will" Groundbreaker Aileen Hernandez Aileen Hernandez Former President National Organization for Women Groundbreaker Alice Waters Alice Waters Food Pioneer Groundbreaker Barbara Burns Barbara Burns Coal Miner Groundbreaker Marian Wright Edelman Marian Wright Edelman FOUNDER, CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND Groundbreaker Marlo Thomas Marlo Thomas First Single Working Woman on Television Groundbreaker Sandra Day O'Connor Sandra Day O'Connor First Female Justice at the U.S. Supreme Court Groundbreaker Robin Morgan Robin Morgan Writer & Feminist Activist Groundbreaker Condoleezza Rice Condoleezza Rice FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE Groundbreaker Meg Whitman Meg Whitman Fortune 500 CEO Groundbreaker Rita Moreno Rita Moreno Academy Award-Winning Actress Groundbreaker Eve Ensler Eve Ensler Playwright, "The Vagina Monologues" Groundbreaker Esta Soler Esta Soler Founder, Futures Without Violence Groundbreaker Shelly Lazarus Shelly Lazarus Pioneering Advertising Executive Groundbreaker Rita Mae Brown Rita Mae Brown Author & Activist Groundbreaker Dolores Huerta Dolores Huerta Co-Founder, United Farm Workers Groundbreaker Faith Ringgold Faith Ringgold Artist & Activist Groundbreaker Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Lifestyle Mogul Groundbreaker Cathy Guisewite Cathy Guisewite Creator of "Cathy" Comic Groundbreaker Rachel McLish Rachel McLish First Female Bodybuilding Champion Groundbreaker Sara Hurwitz Sara Hurwitz First Female Orthodox "Rabba" Groundbreaker Geraldine Ferraro Geraldine Ferraro Vice-Presidential Nominee Groundbreaker Hillary Rodham Clinton Hillary Rodham Clinton CRUSADER FOR WOMEN Groundbreaker Faye Wattleton Faye Wattleton Former President, Planned Parenthood of America Groundbreaker Katie Couric Katie Couric Network News Pioneer Groundbreaker Karen Nussbaum Karen Nussbaum Founder of 9to5 First Union for Secretaries Groundbreaker Zainab Salbi Zainab Salbi Founder, Women for Women International Groundbreaker Maya Lin Maya Lin Artist, Architect & Memorial Designer Groundbreaker Billie Jean King Billie Jean King Tennis Champion & Activist Groundbreaker Boston Women's Health Book Collective Boston Women's Health Book Collective BWHC OUR BODIES, OURSELVES Groundbreaker Alice Walker Alice Walker PULITZER PRIZE WINNING AUTHOR Groundbreaker Ruth Bader Ginsburg Ruth Bader Ginsburg U.S. Supreme Court Justice Groundbreaker Ruth Simmons Ruth Simmons First African-American Ivy League President Groundbreaker Maria Pepe Maria Pepe Little League's First Girl Groundbreaker Beverly Guy-Sheftall Beverly Guy-Sheftall Pioneer of Black Women's Studies Groundbreaker Donna de Varona Donna de Varona Olympic Champion & Sportscaster Groundbreaker Sheryl WuDunn Sheryl WuDunn Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Groundbreaker Lydia Villa-Komaroff Lydia Villa-Komaroff Molecular Biologist Groundbreaker
groundbreakers Arts Writers / Actors / Journalists / Performers / Filmmakers / Chefs / Designers / Visual Artists  See all Arts
Barbara Smith Barbara Smith Groundbreaking Publisher of Women of Color Groundbreaker Sheryl WuDunn Sheryl WuDunn Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Groundbreaker Andrea Reusing Andrea Reusing Award Winning Chef Faith Ringgold Faith Ringgold Artist & Activist Groundbreaker Susan Cain Susan Cain Writer Judy Blume Judy Blume Best-Selling Author Groundbreaker Sandra Cisneros Sandra Cisneros Pioneering Latina Writer Groundbreaker Julia Kaganskiy Julia Kaganskiy Digital Editor Maya Lin Maya Lin Artist, Architect & Memorial Designer Groundbreaker Marlo Thomas Marlo Thomas First Single Working Woman on Television Groundbreaker Carol Burnett Carol Burnett First Woman Variety Show Host Groundbreaker Christiane Amanpour Christiane Amanpour International War Correspondent & Author Groundbreaker Tavi Gevinson Tavi Gevinson Fashion Blogger & Feminist Eve Ensler Eve Ensler Playwright, "The Vagina Monologues" Groundbreaker Diane von Furstenberg Diane von Furstenberg Iconic Fashion Designer Groundbreaker Lynn Povich Lynn Povich First Female Sr. Editor at Newsweek Groundbreaker Barbara Walters Barbara Walters First Woman Co-Anchor of Network Evening News Groundbreaker Brandon Holley Brandon Holley Fashion Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Morris Rebecca Morris Abstract Painter Rita Mae Brown Rita Mae Brown Author & Activist Groundbreaker Gabrielle Hamilton Gabrielle Hamilton Chef & Author Susan Brownmiller Susan Brownmiller Author, "Against Our Will" Groundbreaker Courtney E. Martin Courtney E. Martin AUTHOR Nora Ephron Nora Ephron Writer & Director Groundbreaker Sara Lamm Sara Lamm Documentary Filmmaker Misty Copeland Misty Copeland Ballet Dancer Maureen Towey Maureen Towey Theater Director Alice Waters Alice Waters Food Pioneer Groundbreaker Barbara Bestor Barbara Bestor Architect Alice Walker Alice Walker PULITZER PRIZE WINNING AUTHOR Groundbreaker Ellen DeGeneres Ellen DeGeneres Comedian Groundbreaker Robin Morgan Robin Morgan Writer & Feminist Activist Groundbreaker Cathy Guisewite Cathy Guisewite Creator of "Cathy" Comic Groundbreaker Diane English Diane English Creator of "Murphy Brown" Groundbreaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom Jennifer Siebel Newsom Filmmaker & Advocate Nichelle Nichols Nichelle Nichols Star Trek Actress & NASA Recruiter Groundbreaker Lauren Bucherie Lauren Bucherie MUSIC ENTREPRENEUR Miranda July Miranda July ARTIST & FILMMAKER Mira Sorvino Mira Sorvino Activist & Actor Rita Moreno Rita Moreno Academy Award-Winning Actress Groundbreaker Laura Owens Laura Owens Artist Katie Couric Katie Couric Network News Pioneer Groundbreaker Kris Carr Kris Carr Cancer Survivor & Author Amanda Haas Amanda Haas Food Educator Jean Kilbourne Jean Kilbourne Media Educator Tracy K. Smith Tracy K. Smith Poet Chan Marshall Chan Marshall Musician SuChin Pak SuChin Pak Journalist Sara Ziff Sara Ziff Filmmaker & Advocate Vendela Vida Vendela Vida Writer Kate & Laura Mulleavy Kate & Laura Mulleavy Fashion Designers Julie Rofman Julie Rofman Artist & Jewelry Designer
groundbreakers Science & Tech Scientists / Engineers / Doctors / Environmentalists / Women’s Health Advocates See all Science & Tech
Dr. Susan Love Dr. Susan Love Breast Cancer Pioneer Groundbreaker Louann Brizendine Louann Brizendine Neuropsychiatrist & Author Tiffany Shlain Tiffany Shlain Filmmaker Robyn Beavers Robyn Beavers Sustainability Pioneer Renée Loux Renée Loux Green Expert & Chef Lydia Villa-Komaroff Lydia Villa-Komaroff Molecular Biologist Groundbreaker Amy Lehman Amy Lehman Doctor & Activist Jane Chen Jane Chen NON-PROFIT HEALTHCARE ADVOCATE Heather Fleming Heather Fleming Designer & Engineer Marika Shioiri-Clark Marika Shioiri-Clark Architect Katharine Wolf Katharine Wolf Social Challenge Advisor Marissa Mayer Marissa Mayer CEO of Yahoo! Groundbreaker Kara Swisher Kara Swisher Journalist Leila Janah Leila Janah Global Economic Advocate Elizabeth Blackburn Elizabeth Blackburn Nobel-Prize Winning Biologist Groundbreaker France Córdova France Córdova First Female Chief Scientist at NASA Groundbreaker Pamela Rief Pamela Rief Biomechanics Educator Julia Kaganskiy Julia Kaganskiy Digital Editor Halle Tecco Halle Tecco Health Care Entrepreneur Shirley Tilghman Shirley Tilghman Molecular Biologist & Princeton President Groundbreaker
groundbreakers Sports Baseball / Running / Basketball / Swimming / Race Car Driving / Tennis / Body Building / Dance See all Sports
Hope Solo Hope Solo Professional Athlete Misty Copeland Misty Copeland Ballet Dancer Billie Jean King Billie Jean King Tennis Champion & Activist Groundbreaker Donna de Varona Donna de Varona Olympic Champion & Sportscaster Groundbreaker Danica Patrick Danica Patrick Champion Race Car Driver Groundbreaker Rachel McLish Rachel McLish First Female Bodybuilding Champion Groundbreaker Vivian Stringer Vivian Stringer Champion College Basketball Coach Groundbreaker Bethany Hamilton Bethany Hamilton PROFESSIONAL SURFER Nevine Michaan Nevine Michaan Teaching Yoga to Women Marlen Esparza Marlen Esparza Boxer Kathrine Switzer Kathrine Switzer First Woman to Enter the Boston Marathon Groundbreaker Maria Pepe Maria Pepe Little League's First Girl Groundbreaker Violet Palmer Violet Palmer First Female NBA Referee Groundbreaker
groundbreakers Business Construction / Advertising / Web / Technology / Finance / Fashion / Media  See all Business
Andrea Jung Andrea Jung First Female CEO of AVON Groundbreaker Ursula Burns Ursula Burns CEO, Xerox Corporation Groundbreaker Alexa von Tobel Alexa von Tobel Personal Finance Expert Lauren Berger Lauren Berger Career Resource Entrepreneur Katharine Wolf Katharine Wolf Social Challenge Advisor Alexis Maybank & Alexandra Wilkis Wilson Alexis Maybank & Alexandra Wilkis Wilson Gilt Groupe Retail Entrepreneurs Shelly Lazarus Shelly Lazarus Pioneering Advertising Executive Groundbreaker Lisa Stone Lisa Stone Blogger & Entrepreneur Linda Alvarado Linda Alvarado CEO, Alvarado Construction, Inc. Groundbreaker Mae O'Malley Mae O'Malley Attorney & Entrepreneur Lauren Bush Lauren Lauren Bush Lauren Global Nutrition Advocate Renata Black Renata Black Social Entrepreneur Diane von Furstenberg Diane von Furstenberg Iconic Fashion Designer Groundbreaker Halle Tecco Halle Tecco Health Care Entrepreneur Meg Whitman Meg Whitman Fortune 500 CEO Groundbreaker Gina Bianchini Gina Bianchini SOCIAL SOFTWARE ENTREPRENEUR Leila Janah Leila Janah Global Economic Advocate Majora Carter Majora Carter Community Developer Priya Haji Priya Haji Social Innovator Kris Carr Kris Carr Cancer Survivor & Author Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Lifestyle Mogul Groundbreaker Sheryl Sandberg Sheryl Sandberg Facebook COO Groundbreaker
groundbreakers Organizers Not-for-Profit Leaders / Activists / Workplace Pioneers / Social Entrepreneurs / Legal Pioneers  See all Organizers
Charlotte Bunch Charlotte Bunch INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S RIGHTS ACTIVIST Groundbreaker Dolores Huerta Dolores Huerta Co-Founder, United Farm Workers Groundbreaker Ophelia Dahl Ophelia Dahl World Health Care Advocate Jennifer Siebel Newsom Jennifer Siebel Newsom Filmmaker & Advocate Dusty Roads Dusty Roads Stewardess Fighting Discrimination Groundbreaker Boston Women's Health Book Collective Boston Women's Health Book Collective BWHC OUR BODIES, OURSELVES Groundbreaker Lilly Ledbetter Lilly Ledbetter Equal Pay for Equal Work Groundbreaker Zainab Salbi Zainab Salbi Founder, Women for Women International Groundbreaker Lydia Cincore-Templeton Lydia Cincore-Templeton Foster Youth Advocate Pat Eng Pat Eng Founder, New York Asian Women's Center Groundbreaker Rita Mae Brown Rita Mae Brown Author & Activist Groundbreaker Marian Wright Edelman Marian Wright Edelman FOUNDER, CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND Groundbreaker Diane Nash Diane Nash CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER Groundbreaker Byllye Avery Byllye Avery Women's Health Advocate Groundbreaker Shelby Knox Shelby Knox Feminist Organizer Olivia Joy Stinson Olivia Joy Stinson Founder, Pen Pals Book Club For Children of Incarcerated Parents Mira Sorvino Mira Sorvino Activist & Actor Barbara Burns Barbara Burns Coal Miner Groundbreaker Phyllis Schlafly Phyllis Schlafly Conservative Activist Groundbreaker Malika Saada Saar Malika Saada Saar HUMAN RIGHTS FOR GIRLS Groundbreaker Jill Chambers Jill Chambers Retired U.S. Army Colonel Gloria Steinem Gloria Steinem Feminist Activist Groundbreaker Maddy DeLone Maddy DeLone Prisoners' Rights Attorney Jane Chen Jane Chen NON-PROFIT HEALTHCARE ADVOCATE Ellen Gustafson Ellen Gustafson Food System Activist Faith Ringgold Faith Ringgold Artist & Activist Groundbreaker Alexis Jones Alexis Jones Female Empowerment Speaker Eve Ensler Eve Ensler Playwright, "The Vagina Monologues" Groundbreaker Diem Brown Diem Brown CANCER SURVIVOR & ENTREPRENEUR Ai-jen Poo Ai-jen Poo Domestic Worker Advocate Aileen Hernandez Aileen Hernandez Former President National Organization for Women Groundbreaker Nancy Lublin Nancy Lublin Social Entrepreneur Barbara Smith Barbara Smith Groundbreaking Publisher of Women of Color Groundbreaker Whitney Smith Whitney Smith Teen Advocate Robin Morgan Robin Morgan Writer & Feminist Activist Groundbreaker Karen Nussbaum Karen Nussbaum Founder of 9to5 First Union for Secretaries Groundbreaker Rebecca Adamson Rebecca Adamson Global Activist For Indigenous People Groundbreaker Anu Bhagwati Anu Bhagwati Equal Rights Advocate Elizabeth Gore Elizabeth Gore Activist & Cause Marketer Faye Wattleton Faye Wattleton Former President, Planned Parenthood of America Groundbreaker Amy Richards Amy Richards Co-Founder, Third Wave Foundation Groundbreaker Nikki Henderson Nikki Henderson Local Food Activist Brenda Berkman Brenda Berkman First NYC Female Firefighters Groundbreaker Theresa Kane Theresa Kane Nun Who Confronted the Pope Groundbreaker Esta Soler Esta Soler Founder, Futures Without Violence Groundbreaker Sara Ziff Sara Ziff Filmmaker & Advocate
groundbreakers Politics Secretaries of State / Supreme Court Justices / Legislators / Policy Makers / Historic Candidates  See all Politics
Hillary Rodham Clinton Hillary Rodham Clinton CRUSADER FOR WOMEN Groundbreaker Condoleezza Rice Condoleezza Rice FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE Groundbreaker Heather McTeer Heather McTeer Politician Joan Sullivan Joan Sullivan Educator & Public Policy Nancy Pelosi Nancy Pelosi First Female Speaker of the US House Of Representatives Groundbreaker Geraldine Ferraro Geraldine Ferraro Vice-Presidential Nominee Groundbreaker Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Ileana Ros-Lehtinen First Latina Elected to Congress Groundbreaker Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten Gillibrand United States Senator, New York Sandra Day O'Connor Sandra Day O'Connor First Female Justice at the U.S. Supreme Court Groundbreaker Kay Bailey Hutchison Kay Bailey Hutchison U.S. Senator (R-Texas) Groundbreaker Sarah Weddington Sarah Weddington Roe v. Wade Attorney Groundbreaker Madeleine Albright Madeleine Albright FIRST FEMALE SECRETARY OF STATE Groundbreaker Ruth Bader Ginsburg Ruth Bader Ginsburg U.S. Supreme Court Justice Groundbreaker
groundbreakers Education Scholars / Professors / Education Reformers / University Presidents  See all Education
Dena Simmons Dena Simmons Educator Barbara Bestor Barbara Bestor Architect Johnnetta Cole Johnnetta Cole Groundbreaking Scholar & College President Groundbreaker Michelle Rhee Michelle Rhee Education Reformer Groundbreaker Tracy K. Smith Tracy K. Smith Poet Alexa von Tobel Alexa von Tobel Personal Finance Expert Rebecca Morris Rebecca Morris Abstract Painter Ruth Simmons Ruth Simmons First African-American Ivy League President Groundbreaker Joan Sullivan Joan Sullivan Educator & Public Policy Rachel Simmons Rachel Simmons Educator & Author Barbara Smith Barbara Smith Groundbreaking Publisher of Women of Color Groundbreaker

Featured Moments

Discover what you have in common with the MAKERS community. Join the MAKERS as they delve deeper and share their never before told stories. Take a moment to discover a topic meaningful for you. See all Moments
Mother’s Reaction to Divorce Judy Blume Mother’s Reaction to Divorce My Mother Wanted More For Us Pat Eng My Mother Wanted More For Us Aspiring to a Big Butt Sandra Cisneros Aspiring to a Big Butt Sisters Kate & Laura Mulleavy Sisters
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Anna Rodriguez Anna Rodriguez Founder, Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking
Emily May Emily May Harassment Avenger
Reshma Saujani Reshma Saujani Founder, Girls Who Code
Ruth Westheimer Ruth Westheimer Sex Therapist
Marie Wilson Marie Wilson Founder, The White House Project
Diahann Carroll Diahann Carroll Actress
Maria Shriver Maria Shriver Journalist

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