Mothering Sunday Greats: Women to Celebrate

Celebrating Mothering Sunday goes beyond honoring maternal figures; it's an opportunity to recognize and laud extraordinary women who have shaped history spotlighting influential yet often overlooked women like Henrietta Lacks, whose HeLa cells revolutionized medical research, and Bessie Coleman, the first African-American woman pilot who shattered aviation barriers.

This Mothering Sunday, delve into the inspiring stories of these unsung heroines, including Alice Ball, Murasaki Shikibu, and others, who made groundbreaking contributions in their respective fields yet remain under appreciated in mainstream narratives. By celebrating their achievements, we acknowledge their crucial roles in paving the way for future generations.

Discover these remarkable stories to not only broaden your understanding of women's contributions through history but also to draw inspiration from their resilience and leadership.

Mothering Sunday women who invented special moments

Henrietta Lacks

Henrietta Lacks was an African-American woman whose cancer cells were taken without her knowledge or consent in the 1950s. These cells, known as HeLa cells, became one of the most important tools in medicine, leading to numerous scientific breakthroughs, yet her contributions were not acknowledged during her lifetime.

Alice Ball

Ball was an African-American chemist who developed the first effective treatment for leprosy, known as the "Ball Method." However, her work was later credited to a male colleague, and she received little recognition during her life.

Murasaki Shikibu

A Japanese author from the 11th century, Murasaki Shikibu wrote "The Tale of Genji," which is considered one of the world's first novels. Despite her literary genius, she is often under-recognized compared to other authors from the same period.

Bessie Coleman

Bessie Coleman was the first African-American woman to earn a pilot's license. She broke barriers in aviation and became a trailblazer for women and people of color in the field, but her legacy is often overshadowed by others in aviation history.

Katherine Johnson

An African-American mathematician, Katherine Johnson's work at NASA was crucial to the success of early space missions, including John Glenn's orbital flight. While her contributions were essential, she was not widely known until later in life and was featured in the film Hidden Figures

Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba (Angola)

Queen Nzinga was a 17th-century ruler of the kingdoms of Ndongo and Matamba (modern-day Angola). Known for her military strategies and leadership during the Portuguese colonization, she fiercely resisted European expansion in Africa. Despite her prowess, her name is less recognized outside of African history.

Siti Hawa (Siti Hawa Sulong) (Malaya/Malaysia)

A pioneering social activist and educator in Malaysia, Siti Hawa advocated for women’s rights and education during the early 20th century. Despite her contributions to women’s education in Southeast Asia, she is not widely known outside the region.

Miriam Makeba (South Africa)

Known as "Mama Africa," Miriam Makeba was a singer and civil rights activist who fought against apartheid through her music. Though celebrated in some circles, she did not receive widespread recognition outside the African continent during her lifetime, and her legacy in global music history is often underplayed.

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (Nigeria)

A Nigerian feminist, political leader, and mother of music legend Fela Kuti, Funmilayo was an early advocate for women's rights, particularly for female suffrage and independence. Her role in Nigeria’s struggle for independence and women's empowerment is often overlooked globally.

Gwendolyn M. Wright (Jamaica)

A Jamaican social reformer, educator, and writer, Wright was a pioneering feminist who advocated for women's education and political participation in the Caribbean. Despite her significant contributions, she is often overshadowed by other Caribbean figures.

Khawaja Sulaimanki (India/Pakistan)

Known for her spiritual and social reform efforts, Khawaja Sulaimanki was an influential figure in the early 20th century in British India. Her contributions to women's rights and social justice in the Indian subcontinent remain underappreciated.

Lolita Lebrón

Activist and Independence Leader

Lolita Lebrón was a Puerto Rican nationalist who is best known for leading the 1954 attack on the U.S. Capitol, in which she and three others tried to draw attention to Puerto Rico’s struggle for independence.

She was imprisoned for her actions, but her courage and commitment to Puerto Rican sovereignty make her a significant figure in Puerto Rican history, yet she remains relatively unrecognized globally.

Carolina González

Scientist and Environmental Advocate

A pioneering Puerto Rican scientist, Carolina González’s work focused on environmental science and conservation, particularly related to tropical ecosystems. Despite her groundbreaking research in conservation, her name is not widely known beyond the scientific community