Brooklyn. She is a strong, independent borough who don’t need no Manhattan. And the women of the area have been doing it for themselves since… well, always. In honor of Women’s History Month, we’ve put together a list of some of Brooklyn’s most iconic women—just a few of those who have helped make this borough what it is today.
Some of these women’s residences have become places of attraction and are excellent choices for a day tour. If you are thinking of spending a day or two in the borough exploring these places, this hotel could be a budget-friendly pick.
Some of these women’s residences have become places of attraction and are excellent choices for a day tour. If you are thinking of spending a day or two in the borough exploring these places, this hotel could be a budget-friendly pick.
5 Iconic Women Straight Outta Brooklyn
From political activists to writers to just plain old baddies, these women change the game every day. They’re fearless, fierce, Brooklyn-born and bred, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Here are our favorite sheroes:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933 – 2020)
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was best known as the Supreme Court Justice who wore those cool collars over her robes. But before she was an Associate Justice, Ruthie was just another Brooklyn girl—born in Flatbush and raised in Midwood.
RBG spent her childhood in Brooklyn before attending Cornell University, Harvard Law School, and Columbia Law School. The beloved Supreme Court associate justice had always considered herself a New Yorker through and through.
Joan Rivers (1933 – 2014)
Known for her biting wit and outspoken mannerisms, Rivers was an iconic Comedian and media personality.
From hosting her talk show to making red carpet commentary a thing, she made a career out of not being afraid to speak her mind—a notably tricky feat for a woman in Hollywood.
Rivers was unapologetic about who she was: a comedian with sharp wit and a knack for making people laugh with her brutally honest observations about people she saw walking by on the red carpet. She’s still the gold standard for comedy today.
Shirley Chisholm (1924 – 2005)
Born in Brooklyn to Barbadian immigrants, Shirley Chisholm was the first African-American woman elected to Congress. She served seven terms before running for president in 1972, making her the first black person to run for a major party’s nomination. Even though she lost the nomination, she won several primaries and spent her life as an activist and leader helping less-privileged people.
In 2005, then-President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.
Stephanie Mills (1957 – )
When you think about the 70s and 80s, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Maybe bell bottoms, disco music, perms, or orange-tinted aviators. But what about Stephanie Mills and her voluminous curls?
The first black Dorothy in Broadway’s The Wiz has also been a singer and songwriter. She belted out hits after hits from a young age. She hit it big as a solo artist with plenty of hits including “Never Knew Love Like This Before.”
Barbra Streisand (1942 – )
This famous diva was born in Williamsburg, where you now go to get an expensive haircut and eat a delicious egg sandwich.
One of the most successful solo artists of all time, Barbra’s career has spanned over 60 years! But she didn’t stop there: she’s also an actress, film director, author, and philanthropist. She spent her childhood singing in theaters and on street corners before making it big.
Barbra has sold an estimated 150 million records worldwide and is considered one of the best-selling female artists of all time. She is one of the 12 media personalities to win Oscar, Tony, Grammy, and Emmy awards.
Final Words
Brooklyn itself is artistic—it’s a place of inspiration. And it’s been inspiring a lot of amazing women throughout history. These women on this list are as diverse as they are uplifting, and they all have one thing in common—a fierce dedication to making their mark on the world.