In History, Literature, and the Arts Lecturer Kathleen Daly Ph.D.’s “American Women’s History” course, undergrads focus on how social, political, and economic developments in American history have affected women over time. Through exploring the divergent experiences of women within the United States, students debunk longstanding myths, examine the lives of ordinary and extraordinary individuals, and consider what it means to be a woman in America.  

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Daly shares six lesser-known insights on women in American history: 

1. To fight in war, women disguised themselves as men: In 1782, Massachusetts native Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man and fought with Patriot forces during the Revolutionary War. Going by the alias of Robert Shurtleff, Sampson’s accomplishments included scouting neutral territory to assess the growth of British troops of men and leading 30 infantrymen on an expedition alongside two sergeants. Her identity was discovered a year and a half into service when she was taken to the hospital after becoming ill. Following her service, Sampson petitioned for a pension and received it — making her the only woman to earn a full military pension for her involvement in the Revolutionary War. Sampson is not the only woman to disguise herself to take on combat roles. Today, historians have identified approximately 400 women who enlisted as men to fight in the American Civil War. 

2. Women were working well before World War II — especially in healthcare: Women have always worked throughout U.S. history — whether their jobs involved being taking care of the home, helping run the family business, or being a go-to healthcare resource. Healthcare, especially, was a critical role that many women filled in Colonial times. While they didn’t have the formal medical education of today, these women were trusted and valued community members who were consulted for ailments and would administer remedies. It wasn’t until 1849 that the first woman, Elizabeth Blackwell, earned a medical degree — a significant achievement since getting into medical school was a more rigorous process for women. Approximately a century later, and post-World War II, Virginia Apgar revolutionized neonatal care by creating a simple method for evaluating newborns’ health following birth. 

3. Phillis Wheatley Peters was the first Black woman to have her work published: From Louisa May Alcott to Zora Neale Hurston, America has had a strong, unbroken tradition of impactful female writers from all walks of life. One significant individual at the beginning of this legacy is Phyllis Wheatley Peters. Born in Gambia, Africa, Peters was captured and brought to America in 1761 where she was sold to the Boston-based Wheatley family upon arrival. While living with the family, Peters was educated and later wrote a book of poetry that the family helped publish in 1773 — making her the first African American woman and third woman to publish a book in America. Titled Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, Peters’ poems included elegies, comments on slavery, and celebrations of America. Her work continues to be studied by scholars today. 

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4. Madam C. J. Walker was America’s first female self-made millionaire: Known as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and social activist, Madam C. J. Walker was inspired to create a line of hair care products for Black women after an experience with hair loss. Launching her business with $1.25, her development went on to transform the Black hair care industry. Walker employed 40,000 African American men and women and, in 1917, founded the National Negro Cosmetics Manufacturers Association. Having grown up as a woman of color in poverty, Walker used her success to advocate for Black women’s economic independence by showing them how to budget and build businesses.  

5. The feminist bra burning of 1968 didn’t happen: On September 7, 1968, a group called New York Radical Women protested the Miss America Pageant from outside the New Jersey venue. The women brought a “Freedom Trash Can,” which they threw in “instruments of torture.” These items included high-heeled shoes, false eyelashes, copies of Playboy magazine, lipstick, mops, and bras — symbolically showing that they were disregarding things that oppressed women. While the group wanted to light the trash can on fire, they couldn’t obtain a permit so the can never went up in flames. In popular memory, however, the event is remembered as a moment where radical feminists were lighting their bras on fire in protest. 

6. Stephanie Kwolek’s discovery led to the development of bulletproof vests: As an inventor and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) figure, Stephanie Kwolek was a pioneer in polymer research. The chemist discovered a new fiber and a branch of synthetics, and her work led to the development of Kevlar — a heat-resistant synthetic fiber that has been used in boats, airplanes, ropes, cable and on protective gear such as helmets and — most famously — bulletproof vests. Kwolek was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1995 and spent time mentoring women scientists and providing contributions to science education for kids.