4 Women Making History Right Now
Women’s History Month. 4 Extraordinary Women Making History
I'd like to give a shout out to fellow Hummingbird contributor Angela Rieck, who got me thinking about Women's History Month.
In the spirit of celebration of extraordinary women, the following briefly highlights 4 women who are making history right now. Here's a thought for many of us to ponder: We all have the power to become part of this collective by charting our own exemplary journey, should we choose.
Taylor Swift. 34 Year Old Self-Made Billionaire.
I would venture to say that Taylor Swift is one of the most powerful women in the world today. Her world-wide popularity and influence span the generations. Women adore her. Men covet her. But she is her own person and responsibly manages her considerable "sway." Swift is a woman of power--beautiful, kind, real. She writes, performs, directs.
With all of these accolades, I did not yet mention her talent, which is formidable. Truthfully, if you asked me prior to this morning to name my favorite Taylor Swift song, I could not recall having heard even one. So in the spirit of discovery, I listened to first, Anti-Hero, billed as one of her most significant hits. Quite frankly, it really didn't matter, I am so impressed with Taylor Swift for so many other reasons. But I did like the songs I listened to/videos I watched. Listen for yourself if you are so inclined. Click here. Blank Space follows Anti-Hero. Truth be told, I might like that video more!
Caitlin Clark. Iowa Hawkeyes Superstar. NCAA Record(s) Snatcher!
Caitlin Clark is simply amazing.
Iowa Hawkeyes superstar Caitlin Clark broke yet another NCAA record assuring her name in the college basketball history books. After surpassing Pete Maravich’s all-time NCAA Division 1 scoring record, Clark became the first Division 1 female to hit at least 1,000 points for the second year in a row. A day prior, she snatched the single season scoring record previously held by Stephen Curry and Darius McGhee.
On and off the court Caitlin Clark is humble, kind and generous. She maintains a charitable foundation with the mission “to uplift and improve the lives of youth and their communities through education, nutrition, and sport—three pillars Caitlin believes were foundational in her success.”
As for the future, Clark stated, "While this season is far from over and we have a lot more goals to achieve, it will be my last one at Iowa, I am excited to be entering the 2024 WNBA Draft."
It is anticipated that Clark will be the No. 1 overall pick, which is owned by the Indiana Fever.
Cole Brauer First American Woman to Race Alone Around the World.
Homegrown! This year, Brauer-- from East Hampton, NY-- was the youngest and only female competitor in the Global Solo Challenge. 130 days and 30,000 miles after setting sail in October, Brauer completed the race. She faced unpredictable, treacherous and often deadly conditions as she made her way alone. Then around Cape Horn and across the Atlantic Ocean back to Coruna, Spain.
“This is really cool and so overwhelming in every sense of the word,” the unassuming Bauer said before drinking champagne from her trophy with her friends and family that celebrated her accomplishment with her.
Can you even imagine doing this? The ability, strength--physical, mental, and psychological; her endurance, focus and determination. At 29 years of age, she is definitely one of my heroes.
Dr. Ruth Gottesman. Former professor at Einstein makes Albert Einstein College of Medicine Tuition Free with Her Donation.
Upon announcing her donation of $1 billion to Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the largest made to any medical school in the United States, students cheered wildly! “I’m happy to share with you that starting in August this year, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine will be tuition free.”
The NYT reported that “the donation is notable not only for its staggering size, but also because it is going to a medical institution in the Bronx, the city’s poorest borough.” NYT)
Gottlesman’s husband passed away in 2022. Upon his death, she learned that she was left a “sizable” investment portfolio, along with the instructions to “do whatever you think is right with it.” Dr. Gottesman knew exactly what the “right thing” would be.
Her donation will make Albert Einstein accessible to qualified students who would otherwise not be able to make application due to lack of funding. It will also ensure that graduating students will be able to begin their careers without the huge financial burden of student loan debt. GAMECHANGER! By making this gift, Albert Einstein College of Medicine will attract the best and the brightest from a more diverse field of aspiring doctors. The gift extends then to the communities these physicians will serve and hopefully will go a long way is easing the shortage of physicians in underserved areas in the NYC Boroughs and beyond.
The donation is sufficient to keep Albert Einstein College of Medicine tuition free in perpetuity. This is what great billionaires and their families do.
