TeachersFirst Change Makers - Pioneering Women
Women have blazed trails and opened doors for future generations through their pioneering achievements in science and medicine, politics, civil rights, media, sports, and countless other areas. Marie Curie became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize for her pioneering work on radioactivity. Computer scientist Grace Hopper developed the first compiler, helping make coding languages more accessible. Aviator Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Physician Virginia Apgar established the standardized health assessment for newborns that bears her name. Wilma Mankiller was the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, revitalizing the tribe's language and community. Civil rights giants like Rosa Parks and Mary McLeod Bethune fought racial injustice and advanced equality at significant personal risk. From the frontlines of scientific exploration to the vanguard of human rights movements, these tenacious women defied societal conventions, overcame steep obstacles, and profoundly expanded opportunities for those who followed in their pioneering footsteps. Skim this collection of reviewed resources to find appropriate pioneers to share with your students. Don’t miss the “In The Classroom” section for lesson stems and ideas to integrate the resources with your lessons.
You can also learn about additional women change-makers in our collections:
Change Makers - Young Women Who Changed the World
Change Makers - Women for Freedom
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Lois Weber - Unladylike 2020
Grades
6 to 12
tag(s): movies (55), women (177), womenchangemaker (67)
In the Classroom
Students can watch one of the films directed by Lois Weber. Students can use Google Drawings, reviewed here to compare and contrast Universal Studios and Paramount Pictures. Finally, students can use Time Graphics Timeline, reviewed here to create a timeline for Lois Weber's Productions.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Mary Church Terrell - Unladylike 2020's
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): civil rights (218), women (177), womenchangemaker (67), womens suffrage (63)
In the Classroom
Students can use Timeline Maker, reviewed here to note important events in the history of the NAACP. Students can use Kiddle, reviewed here to research the Silent March and Mary Church Terrell's role. Finally, students can use Book Creator, reviewed here to highlight all the historical events that Mary Church Terrell was involved in.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Tye Leung Schulze - Unladylike 2020
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): women (177), womenchangemaker (67), womens suffrage (63)
In the Classroom
Students can learn about her work as a federal government employee by using Kidrex, reviewed here. Students can create a timeline using MyLens, reviewed here to find other notable first women in voting. Students can also learn more about Tye Leung Schulze's time with Donaldina Cameron.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Rose Schneiderman - Unladylike 2020
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): women (177), womenchangemaker (67), womens suffrage (63)
In the Classroom
Students can use MyLens, reviewed here to create a timeline of important historical events in the American Federation of Labor. Students can use Kiddle, reviewed here to learn more about the Wage Earner's League for Women's Suffrage. Finally, students can read her autobiography titled All for One.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Sissieretta Jones - Unladylike 2020
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): songs (47), women (177), womenchangemaker (67)
In the Classroom
Students can view a recording of Sissieretta Jones singing. Students can use Google My Maps, reviewed here to trace Sissieretta Jones's concerts with both the Tennessee Jubilee Singers and the Black Patti Troubadours. Finally, students can use Book Creator, reviewed here as a tool to explain the different songs and messages or feelings behind the music Sissieretta Jones recorded.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Jovita Idar - Unladylike 2020
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): civil rights (218), journalism (74), women (177), womenchangemaker (67)
In the Classroom
Have students create a front page of La Cronica or El Progreso using a template in Canva Edu reviewed here, featuring a headline, article, and illustration about one of Idar's accomplishments or a key issue she advocated for. Assign students to write a modern-day editorial as if they were Jovita Idar, addressing a civil rights issue relevant to their own community. Encourage them to use persuasive writing and include a call to action for readers. Host a classroom debate inspired by Idar's stand against the Texas Rangers. Use the guiding question: "Should journalists risk personal safety to speak out against injustice?" Encourage students to use historical examples and modern parallels.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Lillian Moller Gilbreth - Unladylike 2020
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): engineering (141), psychology (65), women (177), womenchangemaker (67)
In the Classroom
Have students create a visual timeline of Gilbreth's life using Sutori reviewed here, highlighting key events such as her educational milestones, major inventions, and contributions to workplace efficiency and home economics. Students can watch the movie "Cheaper by the Dozen" while comparing it to the life of Lillian Moller Gilbreth using Figma reviewed here. Finally, students can learn about the advancements she made in engineering by using Kiddle reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Meta Warrick Fuller - Unladylike 2020
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): artists (93), women (177), womenchangemaker (67)
In the Classroom
After watching the animated documentary, have students reflect on how Fuller used sculpture to express identity and social issues. Then, students can draw or describe a symbolic sculpture they would create to represent a cause or part of their identity. Students can use Google Drawings reviewed here to compare her artwork to another person from the same period. Create a mini "gallery" in the classroom featuring images of Fuller's major works along with other historical art. Assign students to rotate through stations, completing response sheets with prompts like "What message does this sculpture convey?" or "How does art act as protest or empowerment?"Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Queen Lili'uokalani - Unladylike 2020
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): composers (21), hawaii (10), women (177), womenchangemaker (67)
In the Classroom
Introduce students to the song "Aloha E'Oe," composed by Queen Lili'uokalani. Listen to a recording and read translated lyrics. Have students interpret the meaning of the song and consider its emotional and historical significance. Students create a two-column chart: one side for Queen Lili'uokalani's goals as a leader, and the other for the goals of the U.S. government during the annexation of Hawaii. Discuss how these perspectives clashed and what values were in conflict. Share the video with students about Queen Lili'uokalani. As they watch, they jot down key words or phrases that stand out to them. Afterward, they can write a brief journal entry from the perspective of the queen or a Hawaiian citizen during her reign. Take advantage of the perspective-taking resources available from Project Zero Thinking Routines.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Williamina Fleming - Unladylike 2020
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): stars (77), women (177), womenchangemaker (67)
In the Classroom
Students can learn more about the Catalog of Stars by using Kidrex reviewed here. Have students write a letter as if they were Williamina Fleming, addressing future scientists. Encourage them to include reflections on the challenges they faced, their scientific curiosity, and advice for future generations. Students can virtually visit space to learn more about the stars.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Gertrude Ederle - Unladylike 2020
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): sports (84), women (177), womenchangemaker (67)
In the Classroom
Students can learn about Gertrude Ederle's world records by using Kiddle reviewed here. Students can use Google My Maps reviewed here to recreate Gertude Ederle's swim through the English Channel. Have students use Seesaw reviewed here to track Gertrude Ederle notable accomplishments.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Sonora Webster Carver - Unladylike 2020
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): women (177), womenchangemaker (67)
In the Classroom
Students can use Kiddle reviewed here to learn more about horse diving. Students can use Padlet reviewed here to highlight Sonora Webster Carver's work with the blind. Students can also watch her memoir titled "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken."Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Maggie Lena Walker - Unladylike 2020
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): banks (9), women (177), womenchangemaker (67), womens suffrage (63)
In the Classroom
Students can research the Good Idea Council using Kidrex, reviewed here. Students can use MyLens, reviewed here to create a timeline for the creation of St. Luke Penny's Savings Bank or the St. Luke's Emporium. Students can use Canva Edu, reviewed here to create a logo for either St. Luke Penny's Saving Bank or St. Luke's Emporium.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Bessie Coleman - Unladylike 2020
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): aviation (40), women (177), womenchangemaker (67)
In the Classroom
Students can create a timeline using MyLens reviewed here to highlight the history of aviation. Students can learn more about Bessie Coleman's aviation show by researching online using Kiddle reviewed here. Finally, students can use Google My Maps reviewed here to map the flights that Bessie Coleman took.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Margaret Chung - Unladylike 2020
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): women (177), womenchangemaker (67), world war 2 (168)
In the Classroom
Students can document the medical accomplishments of Margaret Chung using Canva's Timeline Infographic Templates reviewed here. Students can research the various timeline periods/wars that Margaret Chung lived through by using Kiddle reviewed here. Students can learn more about the comic book "Real Heroes," which features Margaret Chung.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Women Artists - J. Paul Getty Museum
Grades
K to 5tag(s): women (177), womenchangemaker (67)
In the Classroom
Students can complete the lessons as presented on the site. Students can re-create the artwork that is in the lesson using a different medium. Finally, students can use Ourboox, reviewed here to create a book of female artists.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Amplifying Indigenous Experiences - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): native americans (116), women (177), womenchangemaker (67)
In the Classroom
After watching a video, students can work in groups to create a historical timeline of Indigenous trailblazers using Timelinely, reviewed here or Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here. Students create artwork or write short stories inspired by the videos. Students can watch a video and then participate in a debate or role-play activity where they represent key figures or viewpoints from the story. Students can then select a video and create a short reflective video explaining how the story connects to current events or their own experiences using a tool like Padlet, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Ida B. Wells and the Activism of Investigative Journalism - Library of Congress
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): black history (135), civil rights (218), journalism (74), womenchangemaker (67)
In the Classroom
Using a podcasting tool like Pinecast, reviewed here have students produce a podcast episode that discusses Wells' life. Have students pretend to interview Wells for the podcast. Create stories using Book Creator, reviewed here that highlights Wells' major achievements, the challenges she overcame, and her impact on civil rights and journalism. Share those those stories with another classroom or post them on your class webpage. Create a timeline of important events from Wells' life. Choose a timeline creation tool located here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Becoming a Changemaker - Shiloh Devadas/Tedx Talks
Grades
K to 12tag(s): womenchangemaker (67)
In the Classroom
Introduce the concept of changemakers to students using this video. It will help them understand that even small actions can make a difference. Use Figjam, reviewed here to share and curate ideas during your discussion of changemakers. For example, use the Frayer Model template to organize and clarify the meaning of the term changemaker, add charts such as "See, Think, and Wonder," and add students' questions and comments using sticky notes and stickers.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Belva Lockwood: Suffragist, Lawyer, and Presidential Candidate - Library of Congress
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): primary sources (121), womenchangemaker (67), womens suffrage (63)
In the Classroom
Using a platform like Padlet, reviewed here have students create a virtual museum exhibit that showcases artifacts, photographs, and documents related to Lockwood's life, including her campaigns for women's suffrage and her presidential runs. With a tool like Snappa, reviewed here have students design infographics that highlight Lockwood's major accomplishments, the challenges she faced, and her contributions to women's rights. These infographics can be shared on social media or displayed around the school to educate others about Lockwood's contributions to women's history. Use the newspaper primary resources to introduce students to Lockwood. Have students download the newspaper PDFs and annotate the article, highlighting items they find interesting. Use the tools found at SmallPDF, reviewed here for the annotating.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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