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Cecilia Rios-Aguilar (b. 1976)

University of Rochester alumnus. National leader in the study of educational and occupational trajectories of marginalized students. When Cecelia Rios-Aguilar 鈥�03W (MA), 鈥�07W (PhD)聽considers the cultural heritage, family and community…

Ruby Belton (b. 1946)

First African American woman to graduate from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Founder of Physicians and Laypersons Educational Associates of Greater Rochester. As a spiritual woman…

Naomi Lee (b. 1983)

University of Rochester alumnus. Native American scientist and professor engaged in biomedical research, STEM education, and mentoring, with a focus on American Indian and Alaska Native health. Long before European…

Sarwat Malik (1943鈥�2013) and Nadia Malik (b. 1970)

Cofounders of the Global Partnership for Women and Girls. Social entrepreneurs dedicated to the education and economic advancement of Muslim women and girls in local communities around the world. As…

Susan B. Anthony (1820鈥�1906)

Susan B. Anthony voted only once in her decades-long struggle for women鈥檚 suffrage, and she did so illegally.

Beatrice Amaza Howard (1909鈥�1996)

University of Rochester alumnus. Teacher. First African American woman to graduate from the University. In 1879, the University of Rochester unveiled a striking marble bust of abolitionist, activist, and local…

Amy Leenhouts Tait (b. 1958)

Successful real estate executive and community leader Amy Tait clearly benefited from a stellar education, including an MBA from the Simon Business School at the University of Rochester. But, she also learned a lot from one of her lifelong mentors鈥攈er father Norman Leenhouts.

Ruth Watanabe (1916鈥�2005)

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan.

Ren茅e Richards (b. 1934)

On the surface, Ren茅e Richards seemed like a happy, well-adjusted kid from Forest Hills, Queens. She did well in school and excelled in sports, particularly tennis. She also fit in with her friends and peers. But from the age of nine, she felt like she was different.

Loretta Ford (b. 1920)

Many people believe the myth that the role of nurse practitioner came about due to a shortage of medical doctors.

Ren茅e Fleming (b. 1959)

Captivating audiences with her rich, velvety soprano, opera singer Ren茅e Fleming, also known as 鈥渢he people鈥檚 diva鈥�, has become one of the most celebrated and beloved operatic singers of our time.

Emily Sibley Watson (1855鈥�1945)

Founder of the University of Rochester鈥檚 Memorial Art Gallery. Philanthropist and patron of the arts in Rochester. Emily Sibley Watson left a significant mark on the city and the University…

Donna Theo Strickland (b. 1959)

University of Rochester alumnus. Canadian physicist. Pioneer in the field of lasers. Recipient of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics. The laser, or light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation,…

Constance (Connie) Mitchell (1928鈥�2018)

The first African American woman to be elected to the Monroe County (New York) Legislature. Fierce advocate for education, housing, jobs, and equality in Rochester. In 1965, Connie Mitchell walked…

Olivia Hooker (1915鈥�2018)

University of Rochester alumnus. Psychologist and professor. Survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. The first African American woman to serve active duty in the US Coast Guard. As…

Vera Micheles Dean (1903鈥�1972)

In a career spanning 30 years at the Foreign Policy Association, Vera Micheles Dean informed public opinion and international policy with her insightful and unbiased work.

Mary Steichen Calderone (1904鈥�1998)

University of Rochester alumnus. Cofounder of the Sexual Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS). Early medical director at Planned Parenthood. Mary Calderone 鈥�39M (MD)聽was known as 鈥渢he…

Sylvia (Sylvy) Kornberg (1917鈥�1986)

University of Rochester alumnus. Biochemist who made significant contributions to the discovery of DNA polymerase. In 1953, the discovery of our now famous double-helix structure of DNA initiated a wave…

Ruth Holland Scott (b. 1934)

Community activist and educator. The first African American woman to serve both as a member and as president of the Rochester City Council. In the title of her memoir, The…

Margaret “Midge” Costanza (1932鈥�2010)

Midge Costanza made U.S. history in her role as assistant to the president for public liaison in the Carter administration. Never before had a woman served on the senior White House staff, positioned just outside the Oval Office, with unprecedented access to the president.

Louise Slaughter (1929鈥�2018)

An American politician representing Upstate New York in the United States House of Representatives for 16 consecutive terms.