Breaking Barriers: Women Who Changed History
Honouring Women’s History Month
Throughout history, women have pushed boundaries, defied expectations, and paved the way for future generations. This Women’s History Month, we ‘d like to feature a few individuals whose determination and resilience left a lasting impact.
Harriet Tubman: The Fearless Conductor
Born into slavery in the early 1800s, Harriet Tubman endured unimaginable hardships. As a young girl, she was struck in the head by an overseer, leaving her with lifelong partial blindness and severe headaches. But her vision of freedom was clearer than ever.
Harriet escaped slavery and didn’t stop there—she returned over a dozen times, guiding more than 70 enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. She was a master strategist, using disguises, songs, and the stars to navigate treacherous paths.
During the Civil War, she became the first woman to lead an armed raid, freeing 700 enslaved people. In her later years, she fought for women’s rights and helped establish homes for the elderly.
Harriet’s courage was legendary. Even with failing eyesight, she saw a world where freedom and justice prevailed—and she made it happen.
Laura Bridgman: A Pioneer in Deaf-Blind Education
Before Helen Keller, there was Laura Bridgman—the first deaf-blind person to receive a formal education. Born in 1829, Laura lost her sight, hearing, taste, and smell to illness at age two. For years, she lived in isolation, unable to communicate with the world.
But then, at age seven, she was brought to the Perkins School for the Blind, where Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe taught her how to read, write, and express herself through finger spelling. Laura became a worldwide sensation, proving that deaf-blind individuals could be educated and live fulfilling lives.
Though she faded from public memory after her death, Laura’s story inspired the education techniques later used to teach Helen Keller. Without her, Helen’s triumphs might never have happened.
Her life may not be as well-known, but she was the first to open the door for thousands of others like her.
Marla Runyan: The Legally Blind Olympian
Marla Runyan was diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease, a degenerative eye condition, at age nine. Legally blind, she found her strength in running.
She won gold medals at the Paralympics and later competed in the 2000 Olympics, becoming the first legally blind athlete to do so. Racing against sighted competitors, she finished in the top ten in the 1500 meters—an extraordinary accomplishment.
Beyond athletics, Runyan earned a Master’s degree in Education and became a motivational speaker, advocating for accessibility and inclusion in sports and beyond. Her success highlights the importance of perseverance and the ability to overcome limitations.
Recognising Women Who Shape the Future
Harriet Tubman, Laura Bridgman, and Marla Runyan each confronted obstacles that could have defined their lives differently. Instead, they pushed forward, demonstrating resilience and challenging societal norms.
This Women’s History Month, we reflect on their contributions and acknowledge the ongoing efforts of women today who continue to break barriers. Their stories remind us that change happens through persistence and action.
