Tara Lipinski

Born in Pennsylvania, Tara Lipinski became the youngest individual gold medalist in the history of the Olympic Winter Games. At 15, she won the Ladies' Singles Olympic gold medal in figure skating (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Sonia Sanchez

Philadelphia Poet Laureate Sonia Sanchez. (Credit: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Philadelphia's mayor, Michael Nutter, named Sonia Sanchez Philly's first poet laureate.

Geraldine Ferraro

This file photo shows Former Democratic vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro answering questions at a news conference 05 January, 1998 in New York. Ferraro was the first woman vice presidential candidate on a major party ticket and a pioneer for women in politics. Ferraro disclosed 19 June, 2001 that she was suffering from the blood cancer multiple myeloma. She died Saturday, March 26, 2011.

NASA astronaut Sally K. Ride

NASA astronaut Sally K. Ride, the Space Shuttle Challenger crew member, poses in January 1983 in Johnson Space Center, Houston. Sally Ride was the first American woman sent into space.

Members Of Congress Remember Shirley Chisholm

Shirley Chisolm was an activist and politician. She was also the first African-American woman to run for president.

Sandra Day O'Connor

Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed by President Reagan to the Supreme Court in 1981, making her its first woman justice.

Nobel-winning US novelist Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison became the first African-American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize for literature. She is the author of "Beloved".

Pelosi And House Democrats Hold Media Availability

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) became the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2007.

Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth was an African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist. She became very popular for her speech on racial inequalities titled, "Aint I a Woman?"

Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

In 1997, Madeleine Albright is sworn in as U.S. secretary of state. She was the first woman in this position.

US First Lady Michelle Obama

Mrs. Michelle Obama is the first African-American First Lady.

First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy

Former First Lady Jackie Kennedy was one of the youngest first ladies in the White House.

Mae Jemison

Science Mission Specialist Mae Jemison is the first African American woman to fly in space.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

In 2000, Hillary Clinton was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first First Lady ever elected to national office.

Condoleezza Rice

Condoleeza Rice was the first African-American female Secretary of State.

Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean in 1928.

dr-antonia-novello

In 1990, Dr. Antonia Novello is sworn in as U.S. Surgeon General, becoming the first woman (and first Hispanic) to hold that job.

Susan B. Anthony

Susan B. Anthony is known as the mother of the 19th Amendment. She fought for women's suffrage.

Debi Thomas

Debi Thomas became the first African-American woman to win the Championship event at the United States National Figure Skating Championships. She won the title in both 1986 and 1988.

Georgia O'Keefe

Georgia O'Keefe was a major figure in American art. She is known for painting of flowers, rocks, and landscapes.

Carol Moseley Braun

Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, became the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992.

Althea Gibson

Before Venus and Serena Williams, there was Althea Gibson, the first black to play at US championships and the first black to win Wimbledon and the US Open. She won the French Championship in 1956 and earned back-to-back titles at Wimbledon and the US Championships at Forest Hills in 1957-1958.

Baroness Margaret Thatcher

Baroness Margaret Thatcher became Britain's first female prime minister in 1979.

Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks was a prominent civil rights activist known for her unwillingness to give up her seat to a white individual during the civil rights era.

Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman is known for her bravery in helping slaves escape bondage.

Mother Theresa

Nuns belonging to the order of the Missionaries of Charity follow the service to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Mother Teresa (banner) at her tomb in the Missionaries of Charity house in Kolkata on August 26, 2010. Mother Teresa is known as the "Angel of Mercy". She is a Nobel peace prize winner and Roman Catholic saint-in-waiting.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Harriet Beecher Stowe was a famous activist and abololitionist and is most famous for her controversial anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom's Cabin.