Women’s History Month: The Untold Stories of Public Health Heroines

Women have made monumental strides to help shape our nation—too many of which are overlooked. One way to acknowledge the many contributions women have made to American history is to celebrate them during  Women’s History Month. Here, we honor nine unique women who pioneered efforts to improve the world with tremendous dedication and passion.

 Barbara Mikulski, Longest Serving US Congresswoman

Former Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski is the longest-serving woman in the history of Congress. She has dedicated her life to improving public health, specifically in her hometown of Baltimore. She started her career as a social worker advocating for women’s issues such as equal pay, advancing health care for and medical research on women, and subsidizing child-care for low-income families. Senator Mikulski won her first election to the Baltimore City Council in 1971, and five years later, won a seat in the US House of Representatives, which she held until 1986 when she became a Senator and the second woman in the nation’s history to serve in both chambers. Senator Mikulski passionately represented the state of Maryland in the Senate until 2017 when she retired. 

Senator Mikulski played a major role in creating Women’s History Month as a co-sponsor of the first Joint Congressional Resolution proclaiming a Women’s History Week in 1981.  

Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Sex Educator

Before Dr. Drew’s, “Loveline,” there was Dr. Ruth’s, “Sexually Speaking.” A question-and-answer radio show, from 1980 to 1990 it removed the stigma associated with broadcasting discussions about sex and sexuality. Though the show had instant success, it was only a small victory in Dr. Ruth’s life. After fleeing to Switzerland to escape the Holocaust, after the war she moved Israeli and then Paris where she studied psychology at the Sorbonne. Later Dr. Ruth found herself in Harlem, NY where she took a job with Planned Parenthood that led her to study sexuality and advocate for sex education. Dr. Ruth went on to host her own TV show, write a syndicated newspaper column, author 35+ books, and encourage generations of fans to “Get some.”

Senator Patty Murray, US Senator, Washington State

In Washington state, Senator Patty Murray is known as the “mom in tennis shoes.” In Washington DC, she’s known as the third highest-ranking person in the US Senate and the longest-ever serving female senator. Senator Murray serves on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, where she is a tireless champion for reproductive rights, including contraceptive and abortion care access. Senator Murray credits her hard work and dedication to these issues to her mother, who raised seven children all while working and caring for her father after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. “My mother is an inspiration to me every day,” said Murray “She made sure we were strong enough to stand up for what we believe in. I’m always fighting to make sure women like her have the support they need to keep themselves and their families healthy, secure, and able to reach for new opportunities.”

Henrietta Lacks, African American Medical Patient and Human Cell Donor

In January 1951, 31-year-old Henrietta Lacks went to Johns Hopkins Hospital with abdominal pain and bleeding. She was quickly diagnosed with terminal cervical cancer. While receiving treatment, a doctor removed cells from Lacks’ cervix without her knowledge. Her cells, later nicknamed “HeLa,” would go on to contribute to significant advances in scientific and medical research ranging from determining the long-term effects of cancer treatments to the development of vaccines. Since Henrietta’s death on October 4, 1951, the Lacks family has fought in court to remain in control of the immortal line of HeLa cells. Created in her honor, since 2010 The Henrietta Lacks Foundation has helped other patients and their families who have experienced hardships after being involved in a research case without their knowledge, consent, or benefit. 

Rosie Abriam, Board Member, Forward Together

Formerly the President and CEO of The Center for Asian Pacific American Women, Rosie Abriam is now a Board Member of Forward Together, a reproductive justice organization that prioritizes BIPOC and queer folks in its efforts to create a world where all people can live with dignity and make their own choices about the shape and direction of their lives and families. Forward Together aims to shift culture, build movements, and change structures and policies through grassroots community building, thought leadership, and deep collaboration with artists, educators, and others. 

Nancy Miriam Hawley, Author and Activist

Nancy Miriam Hawley helped found Our Bodies Ourselves, an organization that empowers women to take control of their own health and wellness. Nancy’s postnatal experiences following the birth of her first son drove her to advocate for women’s health. During Nancy’s six-week checkup, her doctor recommended she try a new birth control pill. She then questioned the pill’s ingredients and her request for additional information was immediately rejected. Nancy refused to take the pill and decided to search for her own answers, which in return transformed into the first workshop at Emmanuel College on women and their bodies—a workshop she led. The workshop eventually grew into co-founding Our Bodies Ourselves alongside 16 other women as well as a best-selling book by the same name.

Kim Schrier, MD, US Representative, Washington State

Dr. Kim Schrier, MD, is the first pediatrician and only the second female doctor in Congress. In 2018 she decided to step out of the doctor’s office and run for Congress because she believed she could help more children and families from Congress than she could within the confines of an exam room. She represents Washington’s 8th congressional district and is focused on making health care more affordable and accessible for everyone in this country, bringing down the cost of prescription drugs, and protecting abortion access.

Lupe M. Rodríguez, Executive Director, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health

Lupe M. Rodríguez is the Executive Director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, an organization that dedicated to building community power for Latina communities and fighting for reproductive justice. A neurobiologist for more than 15 years, Lupe has focused on reproductive rights and justice work in Mexico, Peru, and the United States. Throughout her career, she has worked to help those most impacted by injustice to live their lives with salud, dignidad, y justica (health, dignity, and justice). 

Michelle Owens, MD, Certified OB-GYN

Dr. Michelle Owens, MD, is a practicing OB-GYN, and the Perinatal Medical Director at Magnolia Health Plan. Previously she served as a Professor and Director of the Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Her passion for improving the well-being of all Mississippians—especially women and girls—inspired her decision to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology and maternal fetal medicine. A tireless advocate for maternal health, Michelle is driven belief that all women should be treated with dignity and respect, and that they have the right to determine what is in the best interest of themselves and their families. In addition to providing care directly to those in need, she is the President of the Mississippi State Board of the Medical Licensure and the National Assistant Secretary of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.