Famous Firsts

Women are changing the world. They are breaking barriers × barriers NASA/THE LIFE PICTURE COLLECTION/GETTY IMAGES a law, rule, or problem that makes it difficult or impossible to do something (noun) Sally Ride overcame many barriers to become the first American woman to travel to space. . They are doing great things. March is Women’s History Month. To celebrate, meet five incredible females. Each was the first to do something big.

The Astronaut

The first African-American woman in space was Mae Jemison. “Being first gives you a responsibility,” Jemison told TIME. “You must choose how to use it.”

The Politician

Hillary Clinton ran for president. She was the first woman to win a major party’s nomination × nomination DIRK ANSCHUTZ/GETTY IMAGES formally choosing someone to be a candidate for an office, position, or honor (noun) Rafael won the 6th-grade nomination for student body president, and now he has to give a speech in front of the entire school. for U.S. president.

The Actor

Rita Moreno was the first Hispanic woman to win an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. These awards honor people in the performing arts.

The Scientist

Sylvia Earle studies the oceans. Earle led the first all-female team of aquanauts × aquanaut GIORDANO CIPRIANI/GETTY IMAGES an explorer who spends a long time living in an underwater dwelling (noun) The team of aquanauts spent six months living on the ocean floor. . They spent two weeks living underwater to learn more about the oceans.

The Athlete

Mo’ne Davis plays baseball. She was the first girl to pitch a shutout × shutout MASAKATSU YAMAZAKI/ GETTY IMAGES a game where one side doesn't score any points (noun) My basketball team lost the game in a 9-0 shutout. and win a game in baseball’s Little League World Series. “When I first started, a lot of people didn’t think I was good,” Mo’ne told TIME.