When she started Sesame Street, Joan Ganz Cooney was told a man should run the show so it would be taken seriously. Her response was brought to you by the letter B for Bulls**t
Sara Hurwitz never had a female Rabbinic role model in the Orthodox Jewish faith. Still she pursued her goal to become the first Jewish Orthodox "Rabba."
When she suggested less invasive surgery for breast cancer, many male doctors refused to listen. So she started the first American facility to specialize in breast disease and ended the use of radical mastectomies as the standard of care.
The old boys' network refused to fund female candidates, believing women couldn't win. Ellen Malcolm turned around and started the network EMILY's List to raise funds for women, which has helped elect more than 200 members of congress.
Judith Jamison's performance of "Cry" became a rallying statement for the Civil Rights Movement. Now, as Artistic Director Emerita of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, she's continuing to put African American culture center stage.
