Despite a history of oppression and exclusion in the United States, Women have played a large role in the country's development. Their innovations have been instrumental in many fields — from science and medicine, to industry, engineering and beyond.

Yet at the same time, few people take the time to recognize the pioneers whose ingenuity shaped the world as we know it today.

This Women’s History Month, let's take a look at the lesser-known inventors, scientists, doctors and engineers who have made significant contributions to American progress.

Lisa Gelobter

Lisa Gelobter is a technologist, computer scientist and entrepreneur. Born in 1971, she is a graduate of Brown University and one of the most well-known Black female tech leaders in the world. Lisa had an integral role in the creation of internet technologies that many online streaming and gaming platforms rely on today, including the animation tools that make GIFs possible. But her work is nowhere near over.

In 2015, President Barack Obama invited Gelobter to join the newly-formed U.S. Digital Service to redesign the website used to enroll Americans under the Affordable Care Act. A year later, she collaborated with several major organizations to found workplace bias platform tEQuitable and became one of the first 40 Black women to have raised over $1 Million in venture capital funding.

Dr. Shirley Jackson

Dr. Shirley Jackson was born in 1946 in Washington D.C. A physicist and the former head of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), she is one of the first African-American women to earn a Ph.D. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Dr. Jackson's research has contributed significantly to telecommunications, specifically, the creation of touch-tone telephones, fiber optic cables, call waiting, and caller ID. She has won numerous awards throughout her career, including a National Medal of Science in 2016 and induction into the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame.

Janet E. Bashen

Janet Rita Emerson Bashen was born on February 12, 1957 in Mansfield, Ohio. She started her career with degrees from the University of Houston and Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Administration. She founded and remains the President of Bashen Corporation, a private firm that investigates complaints of employment discrimination relating to Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. In 2006, Janet's web-based application, LinkLine, made her the first-ever female African American to hold a patent for a software invention. The program was designed to automate the employee complaint process, which has since been implemented by government agencies and corporations nationwide. Bashen also uses her experiences to mentor and encourage minorities and women in the tech industry. Her success has been recognized with numerous awards, including a Pinnacle Award from the Houston Chamber of Commerce and Crystal Award from the National Association of Negro Women in Business.

Valerie Thomas

Valerie Thomas is another incredible Black innovator who made countless contributions to the world of technology. She was an inventor, physicist and NASA scientist who became famous for her invention of the Illusion Transmitter device. This device uses flat images to create three-dimensional illusions and was used in medical imaging, weather prediction, and military defense. Valerie Thomas went on to win multiple NASA awards and recognitions, including the NASA Equal Opportunity Medal and Goddard Space Flight Center Award of Merit. She has described herself as a "lifelong learner" and currently serves as a regional president of Shades of Blue, a group that promotes students' interests in aerospace and aviation. Countless women and Black people in STEM have been inspired by Valerie Thomas’s achievements and continue to push boundaries in the field of science and technology.

Dr. Patricia Bath

One of the first female African-American ophthalmologists and the inventor of modern laser cataract surgery, Dr. Patricia Bath has long been a pioneer in the medical field. She graduated from Howard University College of Medicine with a doctoral degree in 1968, becoming one of the first African-American women to do so, and went on to complete her residency in ophthalmology at New York University. Dr. Bath dedicated her life to medical research and was best known for her invention of the Laserphaco Probe—a device used to treat cataracts that has revolutionized modern eye surgery. A number of other patents and medical breakthroughs followed, cementing her legacy as one of the most important Black women in the history of medicine. Although she passed away in 2019, her legacy lives on as an inspiration for women of all backgrounds.

Remember: Women’s History Is American History

Women’s history is not separate from American history, but rather an integral part of our nation's story. From groundbreaking innovations to brave acts of resistance, Women have made countless contributions to our society. By exploring the rich history of Women in America, we can gain a better understanding of our collective past and help build a brighter future.

These women have made improvements to our society across many different industries and fields. They're heroes whose influence can still be felt to this day, and whose legacies should be remembered and honored.