Trailblazing Women Who Changed the Course of History

“First” is a powerful photo series by Time Magazine, featuring portraits by Brazilian photographer Luisa Dörr, capturing groundbreaking women who have redefined what it means to lead, achieve, and inspire. We’ve taken that idea further by adding more remarkable women in history who have been the first in their fields—and whose actions shaped the world we live in today.

These women broke records, broke barriers, and broke stereotypes.

Anne Frank

Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl, wrote a diary while hiding with her family during World War II. Her journal has become a global bestseller and a symbol of courage, hope, and the horrors of the Holocaust.

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe was more than a pretty face—she was a talented actress, singer, and fashion icon. Her mysterious life and tragic end made her one of the most enduring symbols of beauty and fame.

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Candis Cayne

Candis Cayne made history by becoming the first transgender actress with a recurring role on a prime-time TV series. She’s a pioneer for LGBTQ+ representation in media.

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, founded the Missionaries of Charity and helped thousands of the poor and sick in India. She remains a global icon of compassion and service.

Marie Curie

Marie Curie was a physicist and chemist who discovered radium and polonium. She was the first person to win two Nobel Prizes, revolutionizing science and paving the way for women in STEM.

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Patricia Bath

Dr. Patricia Bath was a visionary ophthalmologist and the first person to invent and perform laserphaco surgery to treat cataracts, restoring vision to thousands.

Toronto protesters

In 1937, these brave women walked the streets of Toronto in shorts, challenging social norms and dress codes, making a powerful early statement about women’s rights and freedom.

Aircraft Technician

In 1944, this Lockheed technician helped repair a P-38 Lightning plane in California, representing the thousands of women who entered the workforce during the war.

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Serena Williams

With 23 Grand Slam singles titles, Serena Williams is one of the most dominant tennis players in history and a role model for female athletes worldwide.

Margaret Hamilton

In 1969, Margaret Hamilton helped land Apollo 11 on the moon with code she wrote by hand—literally. She led the software team at NASA that changed space history.

Nadia Comăneci

Nadia Comăneci made Olympic history by earning the first perfect score in gymnastics. She became a global symbol of discipline and excellence in sports.

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Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart broke aviation records and inspired generations by becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Her mysterious disappearance only deepened her legacy.

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“Winnie”

Known only as “Winnie,” this woman was one of the 2,000 who worked in U.S. shipyards during World War II, proving women could do any job a man could.

Rosa Parks

By refusing to give up her seat, Rosa Parks helped ignite the Montgomery Bus Boycott, becoming a symbol of racial equality and civil disobedience.

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Katharine Jefferts Schori

Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori was the first woman to head the Episcopal Church in the U.S., a landmark moment in religious and gender equality.

Rita Moreno

Rita Moreno is the first Latina woman to win all four major entertainment awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT). Her trailblazing career continues to inspire Latinx talent.

The WASPs

The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) flew military planes in World War II, making them the first women in U.S. history to pilot military aircraft.

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Simone de Beauvoir

French writer and philosopher Simone de Beauvoir wrote The Second Sex, a groundbreaking feminist text still studied today. She helped shape modern gender theory.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey didn’t just break TV records—she built an empire. As the first woman to own and produce her own talk show, Oprah became a global force for empowerment.

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Women’s League Roller Derby

In the 1950s, women in roller derby weren’t just athletes—they were cultural rebels. This photo from New York shows them defying norms and bringing crowds to their feet.

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Margaret Bourke-White

An iconic American photographer, Margaret Bourke-White was the first foreign journalist allowed to photograph Soviet industry during the Five-Year Plan. In 1934, she captured an unforgettable photo atop the Chrysler Building, showing her courage and passion for storytelling.

Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen made history by becoming the first to portray an openly gay character on mainstream TV. Her bravery opened doors for LGBTQ+ representation in media and changed the entertainment industry forever.

The Hell’s Angels

In 1973, female members of the Hell’s Angels broke the stereotype of bikers being “boys only.” These fearless women embraced freedom and self-expression through motorcycle culture.

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Anna Fisher

NASA astronaut Anna Lee Fisher made history in 1984 as the first mother to travel to space. She balanced motherhood and a groundbreaking career in aerospace medicine and chemistry.

Michelle Phan

Michelle Phan turned makeup tutorials into a multimillion-dollar beauty empire. She’s the first woman to grow a $500 million business from a web series—redefining digital entrepreneurship.

The Firefighters

During WWII, women stepped up as firefighters, showing the world they could handle the heat just like men. Their bravery proved vital in changing gender roles in the workforce.

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Eileen Collins

Eileen Collins broke the glass ceiling in NASA by becoming the first female space shuttle commander. Her leadership in space made her a role model for young women in STEM careers.

Aretha Franklin

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, became the first woman ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her voice and impact made waves in both music and civil rights.

Mae Jemison

In 1992, Dr. Mae Jemison became the first woman of color to orbit the Earth. Her mission inspired a generation of Black female scientists and astronauts.

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Gabby Douglas

Gabby Douglas made Olympic history as the first African American to win the individual all-around gymnastics gold, inspiring millions with her strength and grace.

Ava DuVernay

Ava DuVernay became the first Black woman to direct a film (Selma) nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. She has redefined diversity in Hollywood.

Mazie Hirono

Born in Japan, Senator Mazie Hirono became the first Asian-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate. She’s a powerful voice for immigration reform and women’s rights.

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Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman became the first woman to sell a single photograph for over $1 million, shattering boundaries in the fine art and photography industry.

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Madeleine Albright

Madeleine Albright made U.S. history in 1997 as the first woman Secretary of State, serving under President Bill Clinton and championing diplomacy and human rights.

Geisha Williams

Geisha Williams was the first Latina to lead a Fortune 500 energy company (PG&E), paving the way for more Hispanic women in executive leadership.

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Jennifer Yuh Nelson

With Kung Fu Panda 2, Jennifer Yuh Nelson became the first woman to single-handedly direct a major Hollywood animated movie.

Melinda Gates

As co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda Gates is the first woman to give away over $40 billion to charity, supporting health, education, and women’s empowerment worldwide.

Ursula Burns

Ursula Burns shattered corporate barriers when she became the CEO of Xerox, making her the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company.

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Madonna

Madonna changed the music industry forever with her bold style, endless reinvention, and cultural influence. She’s stayed at the top for four decades and counting.

Barbara Walters

Barbara Walters became the first woman to co-anchor a network evening news program, clearing the path for generations of female journalists.

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Sheryl Sandberg

As Facebook’s COO, Sheryl Sandberg became the first female tech executive billionaire, advocating for women in leadership through her book Lean In.

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Issa Rae

With Insecure, Issa Rae made history as the first Black woman to create and star in a premium cable series, reshaping representation on TV.

Meghan Markle

As the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle made history by becoming the first biracial woman to marry into the British royal family. Her wedding included diverse cultural elements like a Black gospel choir and a young Black cellist, reshaping royal tradition.

Maud Allen

Maud Allan, born in Canada, revolutionized modern dance in Europe by blending barefoot movement with body-positive expression. She helped break Victorian norms around women’s bodies.

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Emma Gonzalez

After surviving the 2018 Parkland school shooting, Emma Gonzalez became a passionate advocate for stricter gun control laws. Her powerful speeches sparked a new youth-led movement in the U.S.

Emma Watson

Best known as Hermione from Harry Potter, Emma Watson is now a global advocate for gender equality and sustainable fashion. She launched the HeForShe campaign with the UN.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham became the first plus-size model to grace the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover. She’s a global ambassador for body positivity and inclusive fashion.

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Tarana Burke

Tarana Burke started the #MeToo movement to support survivors of sexual violence. Today, her work continues to empower women and change how the world talks about abuse.

Mia Hamm

Mia Hamm is one of the greatest female athletes of all time. Her achievements brought women’s soccer into the spotlight, inspiring countless girls to join the game.

Wendy Kopp

Wendy Kopp is the founder of Teach For America and CEO of Teach For All, helping expand educational opportunities in underserved areas around the world.

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J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling reignited children’s love for reading through the magical world of Harry Potter. She’s one of the most successful female authors in modern history.

Diana, Princess of Wales

Known as the “People’s Princess,” Princess Diana used her royal status to raise awareness for HIV, landmine victims, and child poverty—long before it was popular to do so.

Maya Lin

At just 21, Maya Lin designed the powerful Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., becoming a trailblazer in both architecture and public memory.

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Winona LaDuke

Winona LaDuke is a prominent voice in environmental justice and indigenous land protection, fighting for Native American communities and cultural preservation.

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Katie Couric

Katie Couric was the first person to broadcast her colonoscopy on live TV, raising public awareness and encouraging preventative health screenings.

Dorothy Hamill

Dorothy Hamill won gold at the 1976 Olympics and became the first figure skater to land a million-dollar sponsorship deal, changing the way female athletes are seen.

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Susan Solomon

Susan Solomon led the discovery of the ozone hole over Antarctica, which led to global policy changes like the Montreal Protocol banning harmful chemicals.

Eve Ensler

Eve Ensler wrote The Vagina Monologues, a powerful play that sparked global conversations about women’s rights and gender-based violence.

Kathryn Bigelow

Kathryn Bigelow made history in 2010 by becoming the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Director for her film The Hurt Locker.

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Sally Ride

Sally Ride shattered gender norms in 1983 as the first American woman—and youngest astronaut at the time—to go to space.

Diane Von Furstenberg

Diane Von Furstenberg, designer of the iconic wrap dress, is a global fashion leader and uses her influence to support female entrepreneurs and human rights causes.

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Beyoncé

Beyoncé is not only a Grammy-winning artist, but also a strong supporter of causes like Black Lives Matter, gender equality, and disaster relief. She’s redefining what it means to be a modern superstar.

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