Heroines Honored: Maryland’s Harriet Tubman Revealed Among the Most Iconic Female Pioneers in History (Poll)

• Poll reveals the country’s 200 most iconic women of progress and innovation.
• Susan B. Anthony (NY) emerged in 1st place nationally.
• Infographic included showing the top 200 heroines.

For too long, the narratives of progress and innovation have glossed over the monumental contributions of women. From science and technology to the vanguards of business and social reform, women have been instrumental in shaping our modern world. Yet, their stories often remain unrecognized, their triumphs unsung. Through their courage, resilience, and trailblazing achievements, women like Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, and Eleanor Roosevelt have not only shaped the course of our history but also paved the way for future generations to dream bigger and reach further.

To coincide with Women’s History Month (March), a recent poll of 3,000 respondents by Somewang revealed the 200 most beloved heroines from history, paying tribute to the rich stories of women who have broken barriers, fought for equality, and paved the way for future generations.

The top 10 were as follows:

1. New York, Susan B. Anthony
Born in Massachusetts but spending much of her adult life in Rochester, New York, Susan B. Anthony was a key figure in the women’s suffrage movement in the United States.

2. Maryland, Harriet Tubman
Born into the harsh reality of slavery in Maryland, Harriet Tubman transcended her circumstances to become the legendary conductor of the Underground Railroad. Through her unparalleled courage and ingenuity, Tubman orchestrated the escape of dozens of enslaved individuals, guiding them to freedom with an unwavering resolve.

3. Massachusetts, Abigail Adams
As the wife of President John Adams and the mother of President John Quincy Adams, Abigail Adams was more than a figure in the backdrop of American history; she was a formidable advocate for women’s rights and an influential advisor to her husband.

4. New York, Gertrude Elion
Born in New York, Gertrude Elion’s groundbreaking work in biochemistry and pharmacology had a profound impact that reached far beyond any single state. Elion was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1988 for her development of drug treatments for leukemia, herpes, and AIDS, among other achievements.

5. New Jersey, Clara Maass
A nurse from East Orange, New Jersey, Clara Maass sacrificed her life in the name of medical research. She volunteered for experiments to determine the cause of yellow fever, ultimately dying from the disease. Her death led to reforms in medical experimentation ethics and contributed to the eventual understanding and control of yellow fever.

6. Alabama, Rosa Parks
Widely associated with Montgomery, Alabama, for her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Rosa Parks’ act of refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in 1955 became one of the most iconic moments in the civil rights movement.

7. Missouri, Maya Angelou
Although Maya Angelou is primarily known for her literary work, her contributions span across civil rights activism, education, and the arts, making her a multifaceted innovator. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Angelou spent much of her childhood and early adult years in Arkansas.

8. Georgia, Juliette Gordon Low
Born in Savannah, Georgia, Juliette Gordon Low was the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA in 1912. Inspired by her meeting with Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, Low established the Girl Scouts as a way to prepare young women for future roles as professional women and active citizens. Her innovative approach to girl’s education and empowerment has influenced generations of girls and young women across the United States.

9. South Carolina, Elizabeth Evelyn Wright
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright (1872-1906): Born in Talbotton, Georgia, but Elizabeth Evelyn Wright’s impact was strongly felt in South Carolina, where she founded Voorhees College in Denmark, SC. Inspired by Booker T. Washington, Wright faced numerous challenges in her mission to provide education to African American students in the rural South at the turn of the 20th century.

10. Indiana, May Wright Sewall
May Wright Sewall (1844-1920): An influential educator, suffragist, and reformer from Indiana, May Wright Sewall was instrumental in the fight for women’s rights, including suffrage. She founded the Indianapolis Woman’s Club and was a key figure in both national and international women’s suffrage movements.

Maryland had three other heroines included among the top 200:

45. Clara Barton (1821-1912)

Clara Barton’s pioneering spirit and compassion were the driving forces behind her founding of the American Red Cross. As a self-taught nurse who organized relief efforts during the Civil War, Barton demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to aiding those in need. Her visionary leadership in the aftermath of the war led to the establishment of the American Red Cross, an organization that has become synonymous with humanitarian aid and disaster relief. Barton’s legacy is characterized by her unwavering dedication to alleviating human suffering and her role in shaping the landscape of emergency response and medical care.Barton spent the last fifteen years of her life in Glen Echo, Maryland.

72. Gladys Spellman (1918-1988)

Serving as a U.S. Congresswoman from Maryland, Gladys Spellman was a tireless advocate for health care, education, and workers’ rights. Her tenure in Congress was marked by her dedication to advancing policies that supported the welfare and rights of her constituents and the American people at large. Spellman’s commitment to public service and her efforts to improve the lives of working families have left a lasting imprint on Maryland’s political landscape and the broader national discourse on social welfare and labor rights.

164. Billie Holiday (1915-1959)

Born in Philadelphia but shaped by her upbringing in Baltimore, Maryland, Billie Holiday emerged as one of the most iconic voices in jazz history. Holiday’s emotive delivery and unique phrasing brought a new depth to jazz singing, transforming standard tunes into profound expressions of human emotion. Her haunting rendition of “Strange Fruit” stands as a powerful condemnation of racism and injustice, highlighting her role not only as a musical innovator but also as a voice for social change. Holiday’s influence on jazz and popular music endures, a testament to her artistic genius and the depth of her impact on American culture.

Infographic showing the top 200 female pioneers, as voted by 3,000 Americans

“As we celebrate the indomitable spirits of our heroines, we are reminded of the profound impact they have had on shaping our nation’s narrative. These trailblazers, activists, scientists, and educators have not just etched their names in history; they have carved out possibilities for those who follow. We owe them an immeasurable debt of gratitude and the commitment to continue their work in our own lives,” says Steven Wang, founder of Somewang.