Women Who Took the Lead: 10 Inspiring Women Who Shaped American Politics

Written by Lorraine Nunez, WIN Staff

In honor of election week, let’s go back in time and take a look at the female leaders who have played crucial roles in furthering social, gender, and economic justice. Such women – whether widely known or less known -- were bold and daring enough to challenge conventional views and perspectives.  They serve as agents of change and should inspire us to persevere in the fight against different types of social injustices.  

Here we highlight 10 women who have championed the social justice cause and whose leadership has influenced American politics. 

Mary McLeod Bethune 

1875 - 1955

Outstanding Black educator, women and civil rights leader, and government official

 Her role as an adviser to Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave the African American community an advocate in the government. She was elected president of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs in 1924 and became the president of the National Council of Negro Women in 1935.  In addition, she became the highest-ranking African American Woman in government when FDR appointed her as the Director of Negro Affairs National Youth Administration.

Sonia Sotomayor

1954 - Present

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. 

Sotomayor is the first Latina Supreme Court Justice of the United States. She was nominated in 2009 by former President Barack Obama and was confirmed by a vote of 68 to 31. She has partaken and voted in favor of two majorly decisive court rulings: King v. Burwell (the Affordable Care Act) and Obergefell v. Hodges (the legalization of same-sex marriage).

Shirley Chisholm

1924 - 2005

First African American woman to serve in Congress and first African American woman to seek nomination for President of the United States from a major political party.

In 1960, Chisholm became a consultant to the New York City Division of Day Care and a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Democratic Party Club, the Urban League, and the League of Women Voters. In 1964, she became the second African American in the New York Legislature, where she introduced more than 50 bills of legislation and championed the cause for racial, gender, and economic justice. In 1972, she became the first African American female to be nominated for President of the United States.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

1933 - 2020

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

Bader Ginsburg became the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Government from Cornell University, she proceeded with her studies at Harvard University, where she faced severe discrimination. In 1963, she joined the American Civil Liberties Union and helped found the Women’s Rights Project in 1971. In 1993, she was nominated by President Clinton and confirmed by the senate. In 2009, she worked with President Obama on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to combat gender pay disparities.

Fannie Lou Hamer 

1917 - 1977

Civil Rights Movement leader, voting, and women’s rights activist. Co-founder and vice-chair of the Freedom Democratic Party

Fannie Lou Hamer was a powerful voice of the Civil Rights Movement and an advocate for voting rights.  She led efforts for greater opportunities for the African American community. In 1964, she co-founded the Mississippi Democratic Party, with the purpose of challenging efforts to black participation in voting. She helped organize Freedom Summer and founded the National Women’s Political Caucus.

Michelle Obama 

1964 - Present

First African American First Lady, lawyer, and writer.

As First Lady, Michelle Obama focused on combating issues including poverty, health, and education. Michelle graduated from Princeton University and attained a JD from Harvard University. After having worked as a lawyer in the private sector, she moved on to pursue a career in the public sector. She subsequently became executive director for the Chicago Public Allies, a nonprofit that helped young adults develop skills for future careers. In 1996, as associate dean of student services at the University of Chicago, she developed its first community service program. In 2008, she became the first African American First Lady, making political history.

Yuri Kochiyama

1921 - 2014

Japanese American political activist who dedicated her life to social justice. 

Yuri Kochiyama was born in 1931 to Japanese immigrants. In 1942, during World War II, Kochiyama and her family suffered the repercussions of racial injustice. They were incarcerated at Camp Jerome in Arkansas. In Kochiyama’s words “this was the beginning of her political awakening.” Resultingly, she decided to dedicate her life to the fight against social and racial injustice. In 1946, she moved to New York City and became a civil rights activist and a member of the Harlem Parents Committee, where she advocated for integrated education. Her struggle for racial equality led her to become nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.

Patsy Takemoto Mink 

1927 - 2002

An advocate of gender equality and education reform, the first woman of color and first Asian-American elected to the House of Representatives. 

Takemoto Mink was the first Asian American to practice law in Hawaii. After obtaining a JD from the University of Chicago Law School, she was elected to the Hawaii Senate in 1958. In 1964, she was elected to the US House of Representatives, making her the first woman of color to hold such a position. During her 12 terms in Congress, Takemoto Mink led efforts to pass Title IX, a civil rights law that prevents federally funded educational institutions from discriminating on the basis of gender.

Dolores Huerta

1930 - Present

Labor leader and activist who led to the creation of the United Farm Workers of America

Dolores Huerta was born to a farmworker and a miner, which would influence her life as an activist. Huerta began her career as an activist when she co-founded the Stockton chapter of the Community Service Organization, which sought to improve economic conditions for Hispanics. Huerta also co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, currently known as the United Farm Workers’ Union. In addition, she advocated for safer working conditions, organized workers, and led negotiations. In the 1970s she became a lobbyist to improve Hispanic legislative representation. In 2012, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Wilma Mankiller

1945 - 2010

An advocate of the Cherokee people and first female principal of the Cherokee Nation. 

Mankiller was first prompted into activism following the occupation of the Alcatraz prison, which made her more aware of the issues affecting the Native American community in the United States. Her reputation as a community leader and advocate of Native rights led her to become deputy principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, and two years later, when the Principal Chief resigned, she became the first female Principal Chief. During her time as chief, she focused on education, job training, and healthcare. She played a key role in working with the federal government to negotiate a self-government agreement for the Cherokee Nation.

Each of these female leaders have paved the way for a more equal and just future.  They have fought racial, social, and justice inequality with their hearts and minds for the betterment of our country, for themselves, and for generations of women to come.  Let us continue to uphold their mission by speaking out against injustice, taking action, and continuing their efforts to achieve a more just and inclusive society, that would allow more women to shape modern American politics for the better.

Take the Lead In Your Own Life

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