5 Women Who Changed What’s Possible: How Their Courage Still Protects Our Mental Health, Homes, Careers, Families, and Wellness Today

Every right we depend on today started with someone who was willing to be “the first.”
For many women, especially those navigating domestic violence, housing instability, unfair work practices, single motherhood, and food insecurity, the support we can access now is built on the courage of women who refused to accept “this is just how it is.”

At Women Above Power, our 5 pillars: Mental Health, Housing, Job Search/Career, Parenthood, and Wellness/Food Security exist because women before us fought to make safety and stability possible. In honor of Women’s History, we’re highlighting one woman in each pillar whose work still shapes the support available to women today.

These stories aren’t just history lessons. They’re reminders that change is possible and that your voice and your healing matter.

1. Mental Health: Dorothea Dix – “The first to demand humane care”

In the 1800s, people experiencing mental illness in the United States were often jailed, abused, or chained in inhumane conditions. Dorothea Dix, a former teacher, traveled across states documenting the treatment of people with mental illness and lobbied governments to create more humane hospitals and care. Her advocacy led to the establishment or expansion of more than 30 mental health institutions. According to historical analyses of her work, her investigations and testimony “initiated a sweeping reform of mental health care” in the U.S., changing how society viewed mental illness and responsibility for care.

Why this matters now:

Modern mental health support, including therapy, community programs, and crisis services, rests on the idea that people living with mental health challenges are worthy of care, not punishment. At Women Above Power, our Mental Health pillar continues this legacy by affirming that women healing from trauma, abuse, and chronic stress deserve compassionate, dignified support not shame or silence.

Key takeaway: Your mental health is not a moral failure. It is part of your whole health, and you are worthy of care.

2. Housing: Dorothy Mae Richardson – “The first to turn neighbors into housing advocates”

In the 1960s, Pittsburgh’s North Side was a neighborhood facing redlining, disinvestment, and slumlike conditions. Dorothy Mae Richardson, a resident and community organizer, refused to accept that her community was disposable. She gathered her neighbors, confronted banks and city leaders, and pushed for fair home improvement loans for low-income residents. This grassroots effort helped inspire what later became Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS), a model for community-based housing organizations. According to the history of NHS, Richardson’s work is widely recognized as a catalyst for modern community development and affordable housing strategies across the U.S.

Why this matters now:

Today, women fleeing domestic violence or trying to stabilize their families still face housing barriers. Research consistently shows that housing instability and homelessness are strongly linked with poorer health, higher stress, and increased risk of returning to unsafe environments. Our Housing pillar builds on the kind of community-led vision Richardson modeled—believing that safe, stable housing is not a luxury, but a foundation for healing and possibility.

Key takeaway: Safe housing is a basic need, not a bonus. You deserve a secure place to rest and rebuild.

3. Job Search/Career: Frances Perkins – “The first woman to reshape work at the federal level”

Frances Perkins became the first woman to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet when she was appointed Secretary of Labor in 1933. She played a key role in creating landmark protections like the Social Security Act, minimum wage laws, and regulations limiting child labor and dangerous working conditions. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s historical records, Perkins described the labor reforms of her era as a “revolution” in how the government protected workers, including vulnerable families and low-wage earners.

Why this matters now:

Women experiencing job loss, workplace exploitation, or unfair work practices still lean on legal protections and benefits that grew out of this era. Yet, we know gaps remain—especially for women dealing with discrimination, caregiving responsibilities, and restarting careers after trauma or homelessness. Our Job Search pillar helps women navigate resumes, interviews, and workplace rights so they can access safer, more sustainable employment. When women can work with dignity and fair pay, their ability to secure housing, food, and mental health support grows too.

Key takeaway: You deserve safe, fair work and support as you search for or rebuild your career.

4. Parenthood (Single Mothers): Wilma Rudolph – “The first to run past every limit placed on her”

Wilma Rudolph’s story is often remembered for her Olympic gold medals, but her life as a Black woman, mother, and trailblazer is just as powerful. Born premature and affected by polio and scarlet fever as a child, she was told she might never walk again. She not only walked, she became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field at a single Olympic Games (1960). She later became a teacher, coach, and mother, using her platform to advocate for racial equality and educational opportunities.

Why this matters now:

Single mothers and caregivers often carry enormous pressure to provide financially, emotionally, and physically. Studies show that single mothers face higher rates of economic hardship and stress compared to partnered parents. When you add the impact of domestic violence, housing instability, or unfair work practices, the load becomes even heavier. Our Parenthood pillar is committed to supporting mothers, especially single mothers through resources, community, and practical help so that no woman has to run her race alone.

Key takeaway: Parenting while healing and rebuilding is an act of courage. You are not failing, you are doing something incredibly hard, and you deserve support.

5.Vandana Shiva: Seed Sovereignty, Food Justice, and Wellness

Vandana Shiva is an Indian scholar, environmental activist, ecofeminist, and one of the world’s most influential voices for food sovereignty and seed freedom. She founded the Research Foundation for Science, Technology, and Ecology in 1982 and later launched Navdanya in 1991, a movement dedicated to protecting biodiversity, saving native seeds, and supporting organic farming and fair trade.

Why this matters now:

Her work matters to nutrition and wellness because she has consistently argued that food is not just about calories, it is about health, resilience, culture, and power. In a BBC interview, Shiva said, “For me, food sovereignty is sovereignty over your life, livelihood and health,” a statement that captures how deeply she connects nourishment with dignity and independence. Through Navdanya, she has helped create community seed banks, trained farmers in chemical-free agriculture, and promoted local, diverse crops that are more resilient and more nourishing.

For Women Above Power’s Nutrition & Wellness pillar, Shiva’s legacy is a powerful reminder that access to healthy food is part of healing and survival. Her work shows that wellness grows when communities are able to protect their land, preserve their seeds, and feed themselves with dignity

Key takeaway: Access to nourishing food is a matter of dignity and justice, not just calories.

Your story is part of this history, too

When we talk about Women’s History Month, it can be easy to think only about famous names and big public achievements. But history is also made by women who:

Leave unsafe homes and start over.

Apply for jobs after years of being told they are “nothing.”

Keep feeding their children during seasons of extreme scarcity.

Show up to therapy or community calls, even when shame tells them to stay silent.

Help a neighbor, share a resource, or speak up about injustice in their community.

At Women Above Power, we believe your story belongs in the same continuum as Dorothea Dix, Dorothy Mae Richardson, Frances Perkins, Wilma Rudolph, Vandana Shiva, and so many others. Every step you take toward mental health, safe housing, fair work, supported parenting, and nourishing food is a step that matters for you and for the generations after you.

You are not just surviving history; you are shaping it.

If you’re walking through a difficult season and need support, we’re here. Our 5 pillars are designed to walk alongside you as you move from survival to stability and into your power. And who knows? One day, someone might look back and see you as the woman who made their future possible.