This one’s for the Mamas and the Ladies. The idea for this article was to spotlight a local Houston woman for Women’s History Month through community nominations. It’s totally ok that the dog ate everyone's “homework”. But seriously, I see strength in women in my Pilates classes, on the playground in talking with other Moms, at the grocery store observing the older generation. It’s all around us. There’s no bigger cheerleader for women, than other women!
When I read biographies (and I often do) I sometimes just want one thing. To sit with some of these women over coffee (or champagne) and simply ask, “How did you do it?” Their amazing accomplishments are the stuff of dreams and if there’s one thing a month like this reminds me of, it’s that there is so much power in womanhood.
As we begin to wrap up Women’s History Month, the intention remains the same: keep it local and highlight women of Houston. These women wrote their own kind of “herstory” as notable locals over the last 80yrs. Here’s my top 5… May you always be inspired and never lose sight that you too can do it (excuse me while I shut my laptop and take a trip to the mirror to remind myself of the same)...
Oveta Culp Hobby (1905-1995)
- First Director of WWII Women’s Army
- First female U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.
- Established Houston Post newspaper with her husband along with radio/TV stations
- Mother of 2
If the last name seems familiar, you guessed it, it’s because Oveta is the “First Lady” of William P Hobby Airport
Source: National Women’s History Museum
Dr. Edith Irby Jones (1927-2019)
- First Black woman to practice medicine in Houston while hospitals were still segregated
- Opened her own practice in 1962
- First female president of the National Medical Association
- Founding member of the American Association of Black Cardiologists
- One of the “Freedom Four” working with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Mother of 1
These only scratch the surface on her phenomenal work in medicine and naturally Houston declared “Edith Irby Jones Day” in 1986 for recognition of her efforts in the Third Ward.
Source: Texas State Historical Association
Dr. Peggy Whitson
- Female astronaut
- Serving as consultant turned director of human spaceflight with Axiom Space
- Holds record for most accrued hours spent in space, totaling 675 days
- First female commander of private space mission
- Only woman to serve as International Space Station Commander twice
- Previously recognized as one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World
Considered to be the nation's most experienced astronaut. A true glass ceiling shatterer for women in space exploration and a life dedicated to a big dream fulfilled.
Source: Axiom Space
Ninfa Laurenzo (1924-2001)
- Iconic Houston entrepreneur and business leader
- From a small taco stand to Houston’s renowned Ninfa’s empire
- Helped Tex-Mex cuisine gain national recognition
- Texas Women Hall of Famer
- Widowed mother of 5
With 2 schools named after her, Ninfa’s life was colorful and memorable, made into a musical by TUTS (Theater Under the Stars), with a legacy of “good deeds and good will”, among a long list of accomplishments that have made her name a staple in the East End community she worked to help develop.
Source: Houston ISD
Dr. Ellen Ochoa
- Female astronaut
- First Latina astronaut to go to space
- Johnson Space Center’s First Latina Director and Second Female Director, 11th overall
- Recipient of NASA’s highest award, Distinguished Service Medal
- Co-inventor on 3 patents
- Mother of 2
An award-winning, veteran astronaut, research engineer with 6, count them 6 schools bearing her name in 4 states and a classical flutist.
Source: NASA
These women, though not all originally from Houston, have left such an imprint on our city for all of their achievements here.
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This edition of Macaroni KID is proudly published by a local Mom who independently curates
family events, fun activities, and family-focused businesses throughout the city!
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