INDIANA — To coincide with Women’s History Month (March), a recent poll of 3,000 respondents by Somewang revealed the 200 most beloved heroines from history, paying tribute to the rich stories of women who have broken barriers, fought for equality, and paved the way for future generations.
Among those named are Hoosier women who had historical impact on the nation. They include:
• Number 10, May Wright Sewall (1844-1920): An influential educator, suffragist, and reformer from Indiana, May Wright Sewall was instrumental in the fight for women’s rights, including suffrage. She founded the Indianapolis Woman’s Club and was a key figure in both national and international women’s suffrage movements.
• Number 106 Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919): Born Sarah Breedlove in Louisiana but becoming a prominent figure in Indianapolis, Indiana, Madam C.J. Walker was a pioneering African American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and activist.
•Number 156 Vivian Carter (1921-1989): Born in Tunica, Mississippi, but making her mark in Gary, Indiana, Vivian Carter was a pioneering record producer and co-founder of Vee-Jay Records, the first large, successful Black-owned record label in the United States.
• 188. Mari Evans (1919-2017): A central figure of the Black Arts Movement, Mari Evans was a poet, writer, and educator from Indiana. Her work, which includes poetry, plays, and children’s books, often explored issues of race, identity, and social justice.