Influential Women in
History
Jane Goodall
By: Shraeya Mehta
05/30/2025
Jane Goodall is a globally acclaimed scientist and conservationist. She is best known for her studies of chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Her discoveries changed the world's perception of animals and showed that animals are closer to humans than some had imagined. Goodall spent her life studying and raising awareness for chimpanzees, and protecting the environment.
Jane Goodall was born on April 3rd, 1934, in London, England. As a child, she loved animals and always wished to visit Africa to study them. At the age of 26, in 1960, she got the chance to visit Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania. She began to study chimpanzees in their natural habitat there. She did not hold a college degree in science like most scientists back then, but her enthusiasm and patience helped her make many discoveries.
One of the greatest discoveries Jane Goodall made was that chimpanzees utilize tools. She witnessed them inserting sticks into termite mounds to pull out termites. This was important because before that, it was believed by many scientists that humans were the only ones who could create and utilize tools. She also made the observation that chimpanzees experience emotions, have strong family bonds, and even go through times of war with other troops of chimps. Her work showed that chimpanzees are much more like humans than humans had realized.
As the years passed, Jane Goodall grew more interested in the protection of chimpanzees and the preservation of their habitats. In 1977, she formed the Jane Goodall Institute to raise funds for research and conservation. She also started a program called Roots & Shoots, which allows youth around the world to take action to save the environment, animals, and their communities.
Even though she is now in her 90s, Jane Goodall still travels the globe delivering lectures and calling upon people to help the planet. It is through her research that many have come to understand that animals must be treated with respect and that humans have a responsibility to take care of the planet.
-National Geographic
-Biography.com
-JaneGoodall.com
Deborah Sampson
By: Shraeya Mehta
05/16/2025
Deborah Sampson was an extraordinary woman who left a lasting legacy in American history during the Revolutionary War. Deborah was born on December 17, 1760, in Plympton, Massachusetts. She was one of seven children in the Sampson family. Her parents, Jonathan Sampson Jr. and Deborah Sampson, were poor. When her father never returned from a sea voyage, the family was forced to separate, and Deborah had to live in other households. At the age of 10, she was bound as an indentured servant to Deacon Benjamin Thomas, a Middleborough farmer in Massachusetts.
In spite of her early struggles, Deborah was self-taught and determined. After finishing her indenture at the age of 18, she worked as a teacher during the summers of 1779 and 1780, and she spent her winters spinning. Unfortunately, being an indentured servant and then a teacher did not earn her enough money, and Deborah looked for other means to support herself.
In a stunning show of courage, Deborah, knowing that women were not allowed to serve in the army, went undercover as a man and joined the Continental Army as Robert Shurtleff in 1782. She was attached to the 4th Massachusetts Regiment and reported to Captain George Webb. One of her duties was to observe British numbers on neutral ground in Manhattan. In June 1782, she had around 30 men and two sergeants under her command. Deborah battled bravely in a number of battles. In one of them, she was injured in the thigh and removed the bullet herself to avoid being discovered.
Her cover was eventually blown in 1783 when she contracted a fever. When her identity was discovered, she was honorably discharged from the army.
After the war, Deborah returned to civilian life and married Benjamin Gannett in 1785. She became one of the first women in America to give public lectures on her war experiences. Her exploits were printed in a book titled The Female Review in 1797. She continued making public speeches and being a symbol of strength and courage until she died in 1827.
The Massachusetts state compensated her with a war service pension in 1805. After her death, in 1816, the Congress granted another pension to her descendants. Her bravery has been commemorated in many ways: A bronze statue in Sharon, Massachusetts, outside the Sharon Public Library shows her in a Continental Army uniform holding a musket. A plaque commemorates her service nearby. In her birthplace of Plympton, a monument stands to reflect on her early life and her contribution to America's independence.
Her final resting place has a monument that documents her phenomenal life, and in 1983 she was declared the State Heroine of Massachusetts. Deborah Sampson's life and service remain a powerful inspiration of courage, perseverance, and struggle for equality—awarding her the highly deserving nickname, the Mulan of America.
Sources:
1. [Mount Vernon Digital Encyclopedia](https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/deborah-sampson)
2. [Massachusetts Government Official Site](https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-executive-office-of-veterans-services-celebrate-women-veterans-recognition-month-during-deborah-sampson-award-ceremony)
3. [Historical Marker Database (HMDB)](https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=209129)
4. [National Women’s History Museum](https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/deborah-sampson)
Queen Elizabeth II
By: Shraeya Mehta
04/04/2025
Few people in history have worn a crown as long as Queen Elizabeth II, and even fewer have left behind a legacy as impactful as hers. For over 70 years, she led Britain through major historical events, from the post-World War ll era to the digital age. Through political shifts, personal challenges, and a rapidly changing world, she remained a great leader. Her reign was defined by duty, tradition, and adaptability in order to become one of the most influential monarchs in history.
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Born on April 21, 1926, as Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, she never thought she would become queen. Her uncle was King George VI, so she was not in line to the throne. However, everything changed in 1936 when her uncle, King Edward VIII, gave up the throne, making her father king and her next in line.
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As a young person during WWII, she started doing public work, even training as a mechanic in the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service. When her father died in 1952, Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II at just 25 years old. Her coronation in 1953 was the first to be shown on television!
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Throughout her reign, Queen Elizabeth witnessed major events in modern history. She saw the end of the British Empire as many countries gained independence but worked hard to keep the Commonwealth strong. She also managed to maintain many ties with quite a few former colonies. She served alongside over 15 British prime ministers, from Winston Churchill to Liz Truss, and she adapted to the changing political scene.
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Even with challenges like family scandals, public criticism, and the tragic death of Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth remained a respected figure. She found new ways of connecting with people, using television and social media to reach out in ways no previous monarch had done.
Besides her royal duties, Queen Elizabeth II was a loving wife to Prince Philip and a mother of four. She loved horses and corgis and made time for her many personal interests, despite her busy life. Her passing on September 8, 2022, marked the end of an incredible era. The impact of her life and work will be remembered, and her legacy will last.
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Sources:
https://www.royal.uk/queen-elizabeth
Harriet Tubman
By: Shraeya Mehta
03/21/2025
Harriet Tubman was one of the most courageous and determined leaders in American history. Born into slavery in Maryland around 1822, she experienced a harsh and difficult life. Enslaved people were treated cruelly, and Harriet suffered severe beatings from a young age. Despite these hardships, she remained strong and determined to be free.
In 1849, Harriet escaped from slavery, making a dangerous journey to the North. However, instead of staying safe, she chose to risk her life by returning to the South multiple times to help others escape. She became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, a secret network of safe houses and routes that helped enslaved people reach freedom. Harriet led over 70 people to freedom, including members of her own family. She was given the nickname "Moses" because she never lost a single person on her journeys. She used smart strategies, such as traveling at night, using disguises, and carrying a gun to protect herself and others.
When the Civil War began in 1861, Harriet Tubman continued her fight for freedom by helping the Union Army. She worked as a nurse, a spy, and a scout. She gathered information about Confederate troop movements and even led a military raid in South Carolina that freed over 700 enslaved people. Her bravery and leadership made a huge impact during the war.
After the war, Harriet Tubman dedicated her life to helping others. She worked to support formerly enslaved people by providing housing and food for those in need. She was also involved in the women’s rights movement, fighting for equal rights and the right to vote. Later in her life, she opened a home for elderly African Americans who had no place to go.
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Sources:
1. National Park Service – Harriet Tubman
2. Library of Congress – Harriet Tubman
3. History.com – Harriet Tubman:
4. National Women's History Museum:
5. Smithsonian Magazine – Harriet Tubman’s Legacy