Ellen DeGeneres Comedian Click to Preview Groundbreaker Madeleine Albright First Female Secretary of State Click to Preview Groundbreaker Christiane Amanpour International War Correspondent & Author Click to Preview Groundbreaker Majora Carter Community Developer Click to Preview Beverly Guy-Sheftall Pioneer of Black Women's Studies Click to Preview Groundbreaker Esta Soler Founder, Futures Without Violence Click to Preview Groundbreaker Jane Chen Non-Profit Healthcare Advocate Click to Preview Lilly Ledbetter Equal Pay for Equal Work Click to Preview Groundbreaker Sandra Day O'Connor First Female Justice at the U.S. Supreme Court Click to Preview Groundbreaker Hillary Rodham Clinton Crusader for Women Click to Preview Groundbreaker Brandon Holley Fashion Editor-in-Chief Click to Preview
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Meet the MAKERS

groundbreakers Groundbreakers The Groundbreakers were selected by the filmmakers in consultation with an expert advisory panel. They are firsts in their fields, visionary role models or frontline activists who sparked, and some who opposed, change for women. See all Groundbreakers
Sandra Day O'Connor Sandra Day O'Connor First Female Justice at the U.S. Supreme Court Groundbreaker Eve Ensler Eve Ensler Playwright, "The Vagina Monologues" Groundbreaker Linda Alvarado Linda Alvarado CEO, Alvarado Construction, Inc. Groundbreaker Nora Ephron Nora Ephron Writer & Director Groundbreaker Kathrine Switzer Kathrine Switzer First Woman to Enter the Boston Marathon Groundbreaker Faye Wattleton Faye Wattleton Former President, Planned Parenthood of America Groundbreaker Byllye Avery Byllye Avery Women's Health Advocate Groundbreaker Condoleezza Rice Condoleezza Rice FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE Groundbreaker Michelle Rhee Michelle Rhee Education Reformer Groundbreaker Lydia Villa-Komaroff Lydia Villa-Komaroff Molecular Biologist Groundbreaker Danica Patrick Danica Patrick Champion Race Car Driver Groundbreaker Maya Lin Maya Lin Artist, Architect & Memorial Designer Groundbreaker Beverly Guy-Sheftall Beverly Guy-Sheftall Pioneer of Black Women's Studies Groundbreaker Brenda Berkman Brenda Berkman First NYC Female Firefighters Groundbreaker Hillary Rodham Clinton Hillary Rodham Clinton CRUSADER FOR WOMEN Groundbreaker Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Ileana Ros-Lehtinen First Latina Elected to Congress Groundbreaker Amy Richards Amy Richards Co-Founder, Third Wave Foundation Groundbreaker Diane English Diane English Creator of "Murphy Brown" Groundbreaker Madeleine Albright Madeleine Albright FIRST FEMALE SECRETARY OF STATE Groundbreaker Ruth Simmons Ruth Simmons First African-American Ivy League President Groundbreaker Sheryl WuDunn Sheryl WuDunn Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Groundbreaker Dusty Roads Dusty Roads Stewardess Fighting Discrimination Groundbreaker Rita Moreno Rita Moreno Academy Award-Winning Actress Groundbreaker Marlo Thomas Marlo Thomas First Single Working Woman on Television Groundbreaker Katie Couric Katie Couric Network News Pioneer Groundbreaker Carol Burnett Carol Burnett First Woman Variety Show Host Groundbreaker Sheryl Sandberg Sheryl Sandberg Facebook COO Groundbreaker France Córdova France Córdova First Female Chief Scientist at NASA Groundbreaker Pat Eng Pat Eng Founder, New York Asian Women's Center Groundbreaker Judy Blume Judy Blume Best-Selling Author Groundbreaker Donna de Varona Donna de Varona Olympic Champion & Sportscaster Groundbreaker Ruth Bader Ginsburg Ruth Bader Ginsburg U.S. Supreme Court Justice Groundbreaker Boston Women's Health Collective Boston Women's Health Collective BWHC OUR BODIES, OURSELVES Groundbreaker Meg Whitman Meg Whitman Fortune 500 CEO Groundbreaker Aileen Hernandez Aileen Hernandez Former President National Organization for Women Groundbreaker Geraldine Ferraro Geraldine Ferraro Vice-Presidential Nominee Groundbreaker Rachel McLish Rachel McLish First Female Bodybuilding Champion Groundbreaker Muriel Siebert Muriel Siebert First Lady of Wall Street Groundbreaker Barbara Walters Barbara Walters First Woman Co-Anchor of Network Evening News Groundbreaker Billie Jean King Billie Jean King Tennis Champion & Activist Groundbreaker Diane von Furstenberg Diane von Furstenberg Iconic Fashion Designer Groundbreaker Lilly Ledbetter Lilly Ledbetter Equal Pay for Equal Work Groundbreaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy Pelosi First Female Speaker of the US House Of Representatives Groundbreaker Vivian Stringer Vivian Stringer Champion College Basketball Coach Groundbreaker Cathy Guisewite Cathy Guisewite Creator of "Cathy" Comic Groundbreaker Sara Hurwitz Sara Hurwitz First Female Orthodox "Rabba" Groundbreaker Shelly Lazarus Shelly Lazarus Pioneering Advertising Executive Groundbreaker Kay Bailey Hutchison Kay Bailey Hutchison U.S. Senator (R-Texas) Groundbreaker Gloria Steinem Gloria Steinem Feminist Activist Groundbreaker Violet Palmer Violet Palmer First Female NBA Referee Groundbreaker Alice Waters Alice Waters Food Pioneer Groundbreaker Ellen DeGeneres Ellen DeGeneres Comedian Groundbreaker Sandra Cisneros Sandra Cisneros Pioneering Latina Writer Groundbreaker Esta Soler Esta Soler Founder, Futures Without Violence Groundbreaker Lynn Povich Lynn Povich First Female Sr. Editor at Newsweek Groundbreaker Diane Nash Diane Nash CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER Groundbreaker Faith Ringgold Faith Ringgold Artist & Activist Groundbreaker Phyllis Schlafly Phyllis Schlafly Conservative Activist Groundbreaker Dr. Susan Love Dr. Susan Love Breast Cancer Pioneer Groundbreaker Barbara Burns Barbara Burns Coal Miner Groundbreaker Ursula Burns Ursula Burns CEO, Xerox Corporation Groundbreaker Zainab Salbi Zainab Salbi Founder, Women for Women International Groundbreaker Maria Pepe Maria Pepe Little League's First Girl Groundbreaker Alice Walker Alice Walker PULITZER PRIZE WINNING AUTHOR Groundbreaker Marissa Mayer Marissa Mayer CEO of Yahoo! Groundbreaker Nichelle Nichols Nichelle Nichols Star Trek Actress & NASA Recruiter Groundbreaker Christiane Amanpour Christiane Amanpour International War Correspondent & Author Groundbreaker Andrea Jung Andrea Jung First Female CEO of AVON Groundbreaker Shirley Tilghman Shirley Tilghman Molecular Biologist & Princeton President Groundbreaker Barbara Smith Barbara Smith Groundbreaking Publisher of Women of Color Groundbreaker Marian Wright Edelman Marian Wright Edelman FOUNDER, CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND Groundbreaker Theresa Kane Theresa Kane Nun Who Confronted the Pope Groundbreaker Elizabeth Blackburn Elizabeth Blackburn Nobel-Prize Winning Biologist Groundbreaker Charlotte Bunch Charlotte Bunch INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S RIGHTS ACTIVIST Groundbreaker Robin Morgan Robin Morgan Writer & Feminist Activist Groundbreaker Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Lifestyle Mogul Groundbreaker Sarah Weddington Sarah Weddington Roe v. Wade Attorney Groundbreaker Dolores Huerta Dolores Huerta Co-Founder, United Farm Workers Groundbreaker Karen Nussbaum Karen Nussbaum Founder of 9to5 First Union for Secretaries Groundbreaker
groundbreakers Arts Writers / Actors / Journalists / Performers / Filmmakers / Chefs / Designers / Visual Artists  See all Arts
Courtney E. Martin Courtney E. Martin AUTHOR Carol Burnett Carol Burnett First Woman Variety Show Host Groundbreaker Rebecca Morris Rebecca Morris Abstract Painter Christiane Amanpour Christiane Amanpour International War Correspondent & Author Groundbreaker Sara Lamm Sara Lamm Documentary Filmmaker Kate & Laura Mulleavy Kate & Laura Mulleavy Fashion Designers Judy Blume Judy Blume Best-Selling Author Groundbreaker Chan Marshall Chan Marshall Musician Brandon Holley Brandon Holley Fashion Editor-in-Chief Mira Sorvino Mira Sorvino Activist & Actor Marlo Thomas Marlo Thomas First Single Working Woman on Television Groundbreaker Gabrielle Hamilton Gabrielle Hamilton Chef & Author Diane English Diane English Creator of "Murphy Brown" Groundbreaker Andrea Reusing Andrea Reusing Award Winning Chef Ellen DeGeneres Ellen DeGeneres Comedian Groundbreaker Rita Moreno Rita Moreno Academy Award-Winning Actress Groundbreaker Vendela Vida Vendela Vida Writer Tracy K. Smith Tracy K. Smith Poet Sandra Cisneros Sandra Cisneros Pioneering Latina Writer Groundbreaker Nichelle Nichols Nichelle Nichols Star Trek Actress & NASA Recruiter Groundbreaker Robin Morgan Robin Morgan Writer & Feminist Activist Groundbreaker Miranda July Miranda July ARTIST & FILMMAKER Sheryl WuDunn Sheryl WuDunn Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Groundbreaker Julie Rofman Julie Rofman Artist & Jewelry Designer Cathy Guisewite Cathy Guisewite Creator of "Cathy" Comic Groundbreaker Lauren Bucherie Lauren Bucherie MUSIC ENTREPRENEUR Maya Lin Maya Lin Artist, Architect & Memorial Designer Groundbreaker SuChin Pak SuChin Pak Journalist Faith Ringgold Faith Ringgold Artist & Activist Groundbreaker Diane von Furstenberg Diane von Furstenberg Iconic Fashion Designer Groundbreaker Sara Ziff Sara Ziff Filmmaker & Advocate Jennifer Siebel Newsom Jennifer Siebel Newsom Filmmaker & Advocate Lynn Povich Lynn Povich First Female Sr. Editor at Newsweek Groundbreaker Maureen Towey Maureen Towey Theater Director Susan Cain Susan Cain Writer Nora Ephron Nora Ephron Writer & Director Groundbreaker Alice Waters Alice Waters Food Pioneer Groundbreaker Amanda Haas Amanda Haas Food Educator Jean Kilbourne Jean Kilbourne Media Educator Kris Carr Kris Carr Cancer Survivor & Author Misty Copeland Misty Copeland Ballet Dancer Barbara Walters Barbara Walters First Woman Co-Anchor of Network Evening News Groundbreaker Laura Owens Laura Owens Artist Katie Couric Katie Couric Network News Pioneer Groundbreaker Barbara Bestor Barbara Bestor Architect Barbara Smith Barbara Smith Groundbreaking Publisher of Women of Color Groundbreaker Eve Ensler Eve Ensler Playwright, "The Vagina Monologues" Groundbreaker Alice Walker Alice Walker PULITZER PRIZE WINNING AUTHOR Groundbreaker Tavi Gevinson Tavi Gevinson Fashion Blogger & Feminist
groundbreakers Science & Tech Scientists / Engineers / Doctors / Environmentalists / Women’s Health Advocates See all Science & Tech
Amy Lehman Amy Lehman Doctor & Activist Louann Brizendine Louann Brizendine Neuropsychiatrist & Author Heather Fleming Heather Fleming Designer & Engineer Shirley Tilghman Shirley Tilghman Molecular Biologist & Princeton President Groundbreaker Dr. Susan Love Dr. Susan Love Breast Cancer Pioneer Groundbreaker Marika Shioiri-Clark Marika Shioiri-Clark Architect Renée Loux Renée Loux Green Expert & Chef Lydia Villa-Komaroff Lydia Villa-Komaroff Molecular Biologist Groundbreaker Jane Chen Jane Chen NON-PROFIT HEALTHCARE ADVOCATE Marissa Mayer Marissa Mayer CEO of Yahoo! Groundbreaker Leila Janah Leila Janah Global Economic Advocate Robyn Beavers Robyn Beavers Sustainability Pioneer France Córdova France Córdova First Female Chief Scientist at NASA Groundbreaker Katharine Wolf Katharine Wolf Social Challenge Advisor Kara Swisher Kara Swisher Journalist Elizabeth Blackburn Elizabeth Blackburn Nobel-Prize Winning Biologist Groundbreaker
groundbreakers Sports Baseball / Running / Basketball / Swimming / Race Car Driving / Tennis / Body Building / Dance See all Sports
Bethany Hamilton Bethany Hamilton PROFESSIONAL SURFER Rachel McLish Rachel McLish First Female Bodybuilding Champion Groundbreaker Maria Pepe Maria Pepe Little League's First Girl Groundbreaker Billie Jean King Billie Jean King Tennis Champion & Activist Groundbreaker Vivian Stringer Vivian Stringer Champion College Basketball Coach Groundbreaker Danica Patrick Danica Patrick Champion Race Car Driver Groundbreaker Marlen Esparza Marlen Esparza Boxer Hope Solo Hope Solo Professional Athlete Kathrine Switzer Kathrine Switzer First Woman to Enter the Boston Marathon Groundbreaker Violet Palmer Violet Palmer First Female NBA Referee Groundbreaker Donna de Varona Donna de Varona Olympic Champion & Sportscaster Groundbreaker Misty Copeland Misty Copeland Ballet Dancer Nevine Michaan Nevine Michaan Teaching Yoga to Women
groundbreakers Business Construction / Advertising / Web / Technology / Finance / Fashion / Media  See all Business
Andrea Jung Andrea Jung First Female CEO of AVON Groundbreaker Lisa Stone Lisa Stone Blogger & Entrepreneur Gina Bianchini Gina Bianchini SOCIAL SOFTWARE ENTREPRENEUR Alexa von Tobel Alexa von Tobel Personal Finance Expert Meg Whitman Meg Whitman Fortune 500 CEO Groundbreaker Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Lifestyle Mogul Groundbreaker Majora Carter Majora Carter Community Developer Mae O'Malley Mae O'Malley Attorney & Entrepreneur Leila Janah Leila Janah Global Economic Advocate Alexis Maybank & Alexandra Wilkis Wilson Alexis Maybank & Alexandra Wilkis Wilson Gilt Groupe Retail Entrepreneurs Sheryl Sandberg Sheryl Sandberg Facebook COO Groundbreaker Renata Black Renata Black Social Entrepreneur Diane von Furstenberg Diane von Furstenberg Iconic Fashion Designer Groundbreaker Lauren Bush Lauren Lauren Bush Lauren Global Nutrition Advocate Katharine Wolf Katharine Wolf Social Challenge Advisor Ursula Burns Ursula Burns CEO, Xerox Corporation Groundbreaker Priya Haji Priya Haji Social Innovator Lauren Berger Lauren Berger Career Resource Entrepreneur Kris Carr Kris Carr Cancer Survivor & Author Shelly Lazarus Shelly Lazarus Pioneering Advertising Executive Groundbreaker Linda Alvarado Linda Alvarado CEO, Alvarado Construction, Inc. Groundbreaker
groundbreakers Organizers Not-for-Profit Leaders / Activists / Workplace Pioneers / Social Entrepreneurs / Legal Pioneers  See all Organizers
Eve Ensler Eve Ensler Playwright, "The Vagina Monologues" Groundbreaker Zainab Salbi Zainab Salbi Founder, Women for Women International Groundbreaker Elizabeth Gore Elizabeth Gore Activist & Cause Marketer Gloria Steinem Gloria Steinem Feminist Activist Groundbreaker Dusty Roads Dusty Roads Stewardess Fighting Discrimination Groundbreaker Ophelia Dahl Ophelia Dahl World Health Care Advocate Barbara Smith Barbara Smith Groundbreaking Publisher of Women of Color Groundbreaker Faith Ringgold Faith Ringgold Artist & Activist Groundbreaker Esta Soler Esta Soler Founder, Futures Without Violence Groundbreaker Robin Morgan Robin Morgan Writer & Feminist Activist Groundbreaker Brenda Berkman Brenda Berkman First NYC Female Firefighters Groundbreaker Boston Women's Health Collective Boston Women's Health Collective BWHC OUR BODIES, OURSELVES Groundbreaker Marian Wright Edelman Marian Wright Edelman FOUNDER, CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND Groundbreaker Theresa Kane Theresa Kane Nun Who Confronted the Pope Groundbreaker Nikki Henderson Nikki Henderson Local Food Activist Diane Nash Diane Nash CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER Groundbreaker Faye Wattleton Faye Wattleton Former President, Planned Parenthood of America Groundbreaker Amy Richards Amy Richards Co-Founder, Third Wave Foundation Groundbreaker Aileen Hernandez Aileen Hernandez Former President National Organization for Women Groundbreaker Byllye Avery Byllye Avery Women's Health Advocate Groundbreaker Lilly Ledbetter Lilly Ledbetter Equal Pay for Equal Work Groundbreaker Karen Nussbaum Karen Nussbaum Founder of 9to5 First Union for Secretaries Groundbreaker Ai-jen Poo Ai-jen Poo Domestic Worker Advocate Mira Sorvino Mira Sorvino Activist & Actor Jennifer Siebel Newsom Jennifer Siebel Newsom Filmmaker & Advocate Maddy DeLone Maddy DeLone Prisoners' Rights Attorney Barbara Burns Barbara Burns Coal Miner Groundbreaker Phyllis Schlafly Phyllis Schlafly Conservative Activist Groundbreaker Charlotte Bunch Charlotte Bunch INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S RIGHTS ACTIVIST Groundbreaker Dolores Huerta Dolores Huerta Co-Founder, United Farm Workers Groundbreaker Shelby Knox Shelby Knox Feminist Organizer Jane Chen Jane Chen NON-PROFIT HEALTHCARE ADVOCATE Nancy Lublin Nancy Lublin Social Entrepreneur Ellen Gustafson Ellen Gustafson Food System Activist Diem Brown Diem Brown CANCER SURVIVOR & ENTREPRENEUR Whitney Smith Whitney Smith Teen Advocate Pat Eng Pat Eng Founder, New York Asian Women's Center Groundbreaker Alexis Jones Alexis Jones Female Empowerment Speaker Sara Ziff Sara Ziff Filmmaker & Advocate Anu Bhagwati Anu Bhagwati Equal Rights Advocate
groundbreakers Politics Secretaries of State / Supreme Court Justices / Legislators / Policy Makers / Historic Candidates  See all Politics
Kay Bailey Hutchison Kay Bailey Hutchison U.S. Senator (R-Texas) Groundbreaker Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten Gillibrand United States Senator, New York Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Ileana Ros-Lehtinen First Latina Elected to Congress Groundbreaker Heather McTeer Heather McTeer Politician Ruth Bader Ginsburg Ruth Bader Ginsburg U.S. Supreme Court Justice Groundbreaker Hillary Rodham Clinton Hillary Rodham Clinton CRUSADER FOR WOMEN Groundbreaker Madeleine Albright Madeleine Albright FIRST FEMALE SECRETARY OF STATE Groundbreaker Geraldine Ferraro Geraldine Ferraro Vice-Presidential Nominee Groundbreaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy Pelosi First Female Speaker of the US House Of Representatives Groundbreaker Condoleezza Rice Condoleezza Rice FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE Groundbreaker Sandra Day O'Connor Sandra Day O'Connor First Female Justice at the U.S. Supreme Court Groundbreaker Joan Sullivan Joan Sullivan Educator & Public Policy Sarah Weddington Sarah Weddington Roe v. Wade Attorney Groundbreaker
groundbreakers Education Scholars / Professors / Education Reformers / University Presidents  See all Education
Rebecca Morris Rebecca Morris Abstract Painter Tracy K. Smith Tracy K. Smith Poet Barbara Bestor Barbara Bestor Architect Ruth Simmons Ruth Simmons First African-American Ivy League President Groundbreaker Joan Sullivan Joan Sullivan Educator & Public Policy Dena Simmons Dena Simmons Educator Rachel Simmons Rachel Simmons Educator & Author Barbara Smith Barbara Smith Groundbreaking Publisher of Women of Color Groundbreaker Alexa von Tobel Alexa von Tobel Personal Finance Expert Michelle Rhee Michelle Rhee Education Reformer Groundbreaker

Featured Moments

Discover what you have in common with the MAKERS community. Join the MAKERS as they delve deeper and share their never before told stories. Take a moment to discover a topic meaningful for you. See all Moments
Always Experiment Miranda July Always Experiment Before She was Romy Mira Sorvino Before She was Romy Women in Filmmaking Sara Lamm Women in Filmmaking Songwriting Process Chan Marshall Songwriting Process
A Moment With

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Malika Saada Saar Malika Saada Saar Activist
Susan Brownmiller Susan Brownmiller Author
Johnnetta Cole Johnnetta Cole Anthropologist & Educator
Pat Foote Pat Foote Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General

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