Many Wisconsin women helped make the state the first to ratify the 19th Amendment allowing for women's suffrage, or the right to vote.

Rachel Szold Jastrow was an active community member, known for her contributions to the suffrage movement and work with many local organizations in Madison.

Eloise Gerry was the first woman scientist to work with the U.S. Forest Service.

Julia Grace Wales was a peace activist and professor whose ideas helped lay the foundation for international peace organizations like the United Nations.

Hildegarde Sell was one of the first international music stars and is known as one of the best cabaret singers of all time.

Grace Wahba was the first woman to join the faculty of the Department of Statistics at UW–Madison, and she created a formula that was vital for more accurate satellite data collection.

Theta Mead was the first public health nurse of Lincoln County and an early advocate for public health.

Velma Bell Hamilton was the first Black teacher hired in Dane County and the first president of the Madison Chapter of the NAACP.

Mary Eastwood was a founding member of the National Organization for Women (NOW) and a leader in feminist legal scholarship.

Lucy Smith Morris was a suffragist, the first president of the Wisconsin Federation of Women’s Clubs, and an early advocate for free libraries in Wisconsin.