Women's History

Tennis great Serena Williams is slated to make her return to the court next week, competing in the doubles competition at the HSBC Championships after an almost four-year hiatus from professional play.

Pastor Patrinell "Pat" Wright, widely recognized as Seattle's "First Lady of Gospel," established a profound legacy through her music, ministry, and dedicated mentorship of young people. As the founder and leader of the Total Experience Gospel Choir for decades, Wright significantly impacted the community by fostering musical talent and providing structure and guidance to generations of youth.

Dr. Maxine Buie Mimms, a lifelong advocate for accessible education, dedicated her career to fostering opportunities for students and shaping communities across Washington state, notably through the establishment of The Evergreen State College's Tacoma campus and the Maxine Mimms Academy.

Black women in antiquity occupied influential positions across ancient civilizations, serving as rulers, military leaders, scholars, and priestesses. Despite their significant contributions, much of their historical impact has been largely absent from traditional narratives.

Fannie Lou Hamer, a Mississippi sharecropper, emerged as a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement. Despite enduring significant hardship and violence, Hamer championed voting rights, dignity, and economic justice, transforming her personal struggles into a powerful advocacy for systemic change.

Jacqueline Jackson, alongside other women in the civil rights movement, has been a vital part of the struggle for justice, providing the backbone of the movement through their tireless work and dedication.

Dr. Constance Rice, renowned for her extensive work in education, civil rights, public policy, and global activism, continues to make a profound impact as a member of the University of Washington's Board of Regents.

Bridgette Hempstead, a breast cancer survivor and advocate, founded Cierra Sisters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering African American and underserved communities in the fight against breast cancer. Her legacy continues to inspire healthcare advocates, patients, and the community.

Dr. Keondra Rustan, a PhD candidate in the University of Washington's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP program, has been appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to serve as the student member on the UW Board of Regents, marking the first time a nurse has held this position.

Mary Eliza Mahoney, one of the first African American women to earn a professional nursing degree, was a pioneering nurse and lifelong advocate for racial equity in healthcare, co-founding the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses in 1908.