Women throughout history have been inventing, leading, organizing, creating and making the world a better place despite gender injustice. If women knew about these inspiring stories that have been kept from them, would they be bolder and have more willingness to persevere?
Since incorporating as a nonprofit in 2015, Look What SHE Did! has produced 150+ three- to four-minute films of women telling the stories of the trailblazing women who inspire them.
Throughout Women’s History Month, discover untold stories of incredible women. This week: Lilly Ledbetter, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker and Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt.
(Then check out last week’s videos on Ruby Bridges, Sonia Sanchez and Maggie Lena Walker!)
Mary Edwards Walker
Mary Edwards Walker, one of the first female doctors in America and the only woman to win the Medal of Honor, served in the military during the Civil War despite relentless efforts to stop her. This independent firebrand had other ideas. Edwards Walker followed her own path with tenacity, courage and an extremely modern sense of how to be a woman. For starters, she wore pants to her wedding and deleted the word “obey” from her vows—in the 19th century!
Dee Johnson tells us the charming and crucial story of this original American patriot, a “pants girl” and a true inspiration.
She’s a pants girl!
Dee Johnson
Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt
Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt contracted transverse myelitis as an infant, yet this paralyzing disability has never slowed her down. She successfully sued her school district at the age of 14 in order to have the necessary ramps and elevators to have an equal education. Forber-Pratt has gone on to win just about everything else she’s put her mind to. She is a professional wheelchair racer and Paralympian medalist, was a disability policy consultant to the Obama administration, and is currently an assistant professor at Vanderbilt University.
Her friend and former teammate Katy Sullivan, also an award-winning Paralympian, speaks passionately about Anjali’s focus, perseverance and generous spirit. Forber-Pratt’s motto: Dream, Drive, Do!
She taught me to be my own advocate.
Katy Sullivan
Lilly Ledbetter
Meet Lilly Ledbetter, namesake of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, fair pay activist, grandma and icon.
Born Lilly McDaniel in Alabama in 1938, she excelled in school and was a natural leader as she progressed through her career. After 19 years as a supervisor with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co, Ledbetter received an anonymous tip that would change her life. She learned that despite performing the same job as her mail counterparts, she was being paid thousands less than them, and had been for the duration of her career. She filed a sex-discrimination case against Goodyear that made its way to the United States Supreme Court. Though she eventually lost in court and received no compensation, she went on to lobby congress to pass groundbreaking legislation protecting all workers against pay discrimination. This historic win for workers rights was the first piece of legislation signed into law by President Obama. Director Rachel Feldman shares this story with us as she completes work on her own feature film based on Ledbetter’s life.
She opened the door for you, for me, for every American citizen.
Rachel Feldman
These videos were created by Look What SHE Did!
Up next:
U.S. democracy is at a dangerous inflection point—from the demise of abortion rights, to a lack of pay equity and parental leave, to skyrocketing maternal mortality, and attacks on trans health. Left unchecked, these crises will lead to wider gaps in political participation and representation. For 50 years, Ms. has been forging feminist journalism—reporting, rebelling and truth-telling from the front-lines, championing the Equal Rights Amendment, and centering the stories of those most impacted. With all that’s at stake for equality, we are redoubling our commitment for the next 50 years. In turn, we need your help, Support Ms. today with a donation—any amount that is meaningful to you. For as little as $5 each month, you’ll receive the print magazine along with our e-newsletters, action alerts, and invitations to Ms. Studios events and podcasts. We are grateful for your loyalty and ferocity.
