Georgia has a rich history that is shaped by the contributions of many women. From the colonial era to the present day, women in Georgia have played important roles in shaping the state’s politics, culture, and society. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it is important to recognize and honor the accomplishments of these trailblazing women.
Juliette Gordon Low
Juliette Gordon Low, also known as Daisy, was the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Born in Savannah, Georgia, in 1860, she was raised in a wealthy and influential family.
After meeting Sir Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts, Low was inspired to create a similar organization for girls. In 1912, she established the first troop of Girl Scouts in Savannah.
Today, the Girl Scouts have over 2.5 million members and continue to empower young women across the United States.
Alice Walker
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Alice Walker is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, poet, and activist. Born in Putnam County, Georgia, in 1944, she is best known for her novel “The Color Purple,” which was adapted into a critically acclaimed film directed by Steven Spielberg.
Walker is also an advocate for social justice and women’s rights. She has been involved in various causes, including the civil rights movement, anti-apartheid activism, and environmentalism.
Ellen Craft
Ellen Craft was born into slavery in Clinton, Georgia, in 1826. She and her husband, William, who was also enslaved, escaped to freedom in the North in 1848.
To avoid suspicion, Ellen disguised herself as a white man, while William posed as her slave. Their daring escape attracted national attention and helped to inspire the abolitionist movement.
After settling in Boston, the Crafts became prominent activists and lecturers on behalf of the anti-slavery cause.
Mary Musgrove
Mary Musgrove was a Creek Indian interpreter and businesswoman who played a key role in the founding of the colony of Georgia.
Born in Coweta, Georgia, in the early 1700s, she was the daughter of an English trader and a Creek mother.
She served as a translator for James Oglethorpe, the founder of Georgia, and helped to negotiate peace between the English and Creek tribes. Musgrove also established a successful trading business and became one of the wealthiest women in colonial Georgia.
Coretta Scott King
Coretta Scott King was an activist and the wife of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Born in Marion, Alabama, in 1927, she graduated from Antioch College and became involved in the civil rights movement.
After her husband’s assassination in 1968, she continued his work by founding the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta. She also advocated for women’s rights, LGBT rights, and environmental justice.
These are just a few of the many women who have made significant contributions to Georgia’s history. From politics to literature to social justice activism, their achievements have helped to shape the state and the country as a whole.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let us honor their legacy and continue to support and uplift the voices of women in Georgia and beyond.
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