History is dominated by men’s perspectives. More specifically, history is dominated by straight, white, and men’s perspectives. Hence, in order to thoroughly examine historical events and adequately record them, queer women and their contributions must also be considered. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we honor LGBTQ+ women who made remarkable contributions to the nation and helped advance equality in fields as diverse as sports, science, and the dramatic arts. Here are a few of the women and their stories.
Sally K. Ride
Astronaut Sally K. Ride was on the six-day STS-7 mission aboard Space Shuttle Challenger in June 1983, when she became the first American woman to travel in space. Later in life, Dr. Ride, also an engineer and physicist, became director of the California Space Institute and a professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego.
In 2013, President Obama posthumously honored Ride with a Presidential Medal of Freedom. He said, “She inspired generations of young girls to reach for the stars and later fought tirelessly to help them get there by advocating for a greater focus on science and math in our schools. Sally’s life showed us that there are no limits to what we can achieve.”
Sally Ride’s sexuality was revealed after her death and that made her the first acknowledged gay astronaut. She also founded a nonprofit in 2001, named Sally Ride Science.
Dr. Renée Richards
Long before Caitlyn Jenner, Renée Richards raised questions about gender identity by suing to play at the 1977 U.S. Open after undergoing sex-reassignment surgery.
Dr. Renée Richards is an ophthalmologist, former tennis player, and one of the first professional athletes to identify as transgender. In 1976, following Richards’ sex reassignment surgery, the U.S. Tennis Association required her to undergo genetic screening to play at the U.S. Open as a woman. Richards refused and was barred from the tournament. She then sued the U.S. Tennis Association for gender discrimination and won in a landmark decision. The following year, Richards was admitted to play in U.S. Open, where she reached the final in the women’s doubles tournament.
Carrie Chapman Catt
A prominent figure in the women’s suffrage movement, Carrie Chapman Catt was a champion of women’s rights. A teacher turned superintendent, Catt joined the women’s suffrage movement in the late 1880s. By 1900, she was the president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association president. The Nineteenth Amendment, which prohibited voter discrimination based on sex, was ratified during her term.
Catt had a 30-year relationship with Mary Garret Hay; they were engaged in a domestic partnership until Hay’s death. Catt was buried next to Hay when she died.
Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith, also known as the Empress of the Blues, was an openly bisexual woman. Her contributions to music are incomparable. Without her influence, popular music would not exist as it does today. During her career, she made strides for Black and queer people. Smith and Ma Rainey, another queer blues pioneer, were rumored to have dated. On occasion, they dressed in men’s clothing, as seen in the 2015 film “Bessie.” Smith helped pave the way for women in blues and queer people in music. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
Ellen DeGeneres
In 1997, actor and comedian Ellen DeGeneres sparked a national conversation on LGBTQ+ equality when her character on the ABC sitcom, Ellen, came out as gay—a first for network television. At the same time, DeGeneres came out in real life on the cover of TIME magazine with the memorable words, “Yep, I’m Gay.” Post this revelation Ellen had to face many difficulties in her career, however, she ended up running her own show in 2003 and became America’s favorite once again. She shot her last episode last year in May. DeGeneres has won dozens of Emmy Awards and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.
Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo’s name immediately evokes images of breathtaking portraits and paintings. However, Kahlo’s original calling was not art but medicine. In 1922 she entered the National Preparatory School in Mexico City with an interest in eventually studying medicine. But one day Kahlo was injured in a bus accident, which caused her to feel chronic pain for the rest of her life. After the accident, Kahlo was bedridden. During that time, she turned to arts. The event changed her life and career path.
Kahlo married fellow artist Diego Rivera and was involved with many women, including Josephine Baker and Georgia O’Keefe. She also occasionally wore men’s clothing. Her life and legacy broke many barriers and inspired countless artists.
These are just a few names from history that inspired many women to lead their life on their own terms with courage and dignity. Even today, we have many such LGBTQ+ women who are trying to make the world a better place for everyone through entertainment, politics, social work, business, sports, etc.
This women’s history month, we acknowledge and celebrate all these women.
