Women Who Made a Difference

A look back at the contributions of women who deserve more recognition for their achievements

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Episodes

16: From Slavery to Hero - Harriet Tubman

Her life is a timeless testament to the power of one individual to change the world, Her legacy stands as a beacon of hope, reminding us all of the possibilities that lie within our reach when we dare to fight for what is right. This is the story of Harriet Tubman, a woman who was born into slavery but rose to become one of the most influential conductors of the Underground Railroad. Tubman's contributions to American society extend beyond her role as an abolitionist. Her life typifies the struggle for freedom and equality in a time of oppression and division. Her relentless pursuit of justice continues to inspire activists today, cementing her place as one of America's most revered heroes.

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15: The Queen of Rock and Roll - Tina Turner

She was a trailblazer whose powerful gravelly vocals and dyanamic performances led to her being crowned the Queen of Rock and Roll……and she overcame immense personal struggle to become a woman who made a difference. This is the story of Tina Turner.

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14: A Trailblazing Scientist - Marie Curie

From her humble beginnings in Poland to her monumental discoveries in Paris, we chart the journey of this two-time Nobel laureate who defied the odds, shattered glass ceilings, and ushered in a new era of scientific exploration with her pioneering work in radioactivity.

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13: Her Songs Were Magic - Olivia Newton John

In this episode of Women Who Made a Difference, we take a look at the career of Olivia Newton John. From her earliest songs to her rise to be one of the most famous singers and actresses of the 1970s and 1980s.

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12: The Queen of Crime - Agatha Christie

Today we delve into the world of one of the most renowned and cherished authors in history — Agatha Christie, the “Queen of Crime." She was a master storyteller authoring dozens of crime solving stories with vivid details and iconic characters. But just as her page-turners captivated our attention, so did her own mysterious disappearance, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the already fascinating life of one of literature's greatest mystery writers.

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11: The First Computer Programmer - Ada Lovelace

She was a 19th century English countess, but her nobility isn’t what she is remembered for -- its her role as a tech visionary and her contributions towards the first ever programmable machine, with some considering her the world’s first computer programmer.

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10: A Pioneering Woman in Journalism - Barbara Walters

She was a pioneering journalist and television personality who made significant contributions to the field of media. Throughout her career, she broke through barriers and paved the way for other women in a male-dominated industry. This is the story of the Barbara Walters.

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9: She Sang Like An Angel - Whitney Houston

She rose to fame in the 1980s with a series of hit songs, including "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," "The Greatest Love of All," and "I Will Always Love You," which became one of the best-selling singles of all time. Houston was known for her powerful and emotive voice, which earned her numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. She was also an actress, starring in films such as "The Bodyguard" and "Waiting to Exhale." Despite the success and fame she achieved, Houston struggled with personal issues, which ultimately led to her untimely death in 2012. However, her impact on the music industry and her enduring popularity as a performer continue to be celebrated and she was a woman who made a difference.

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8: A Beautiful Actress and Brilliant Inventor - Hedy Lamarr

She was a Hollywood star and one of the most beautiful women of her time, but that's only part of her legacy. She was also a brilliant inventor who developed a groundbreaking technology that laid the foundation for modern wireless communication. She was a woman who made a difference.

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6: The Fighting First Lady - Betty Ford

Betty Ford was known as the "Fighting First Lady" who battled breast cancer & alcohol addiction while passionately promoting causes close to her heart such as the arts and the Equal Rights Amendment.

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5: A Woman Who Loved the Poor - Mother Teresa

Just over 100 years ago, a little girl born who would grow up to become one of the greatest humanitarians the world has ever known. Her life would show the world that one person really can make a difference and her deep love for the poor and the suffering would transform countless lives.

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4: The First Lady of Civil Rights - Rosa Parks

On a cold winter afternoon in Montgomery Alabama, she defied the society that she grew up in and refused to give up her seat on the bus. Today’s history remembers Rosa Parks as the 1st lady of civil rights.

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3: Queen of Television - Lucille Ball

This is the story of Lucille Ball, the genius who gave us I LOVE LUCY. Both Lucy herself and the show I LOVE LUCY are still loved and adored by millions of people more than three decades after her death and more than six decades after the show came to an end. 
But who was this amazing woman? In this episode of Women Who Made a Difference, hear how Lucy began her career as a model, starred in over 5 dozens films throughout the 1930s and 1940s and went on the become a pioneer in early television.

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2: Hollywood's First Movie Star - Mary Pickford

She was the first Hollywood movie star and the most famous person in the world. Known as America’s Sweetheart during the silent film era, she eventually became the most powerful woman in Hollywood. She was a woman who made a difference. This is the story of Mary Pickford, a stage and screen actress with a career than spanned 50 years. She was a trailblazer and a pioneer. She was a prolific actress, then she broke into producing, and later cofounded a studio. She helped shaped the modern film industry as we know it today.

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1: Inventor of the Windshield Wiper - Mary Anderson

As the 20th century dawned, new forms of transportation was becoming commonplace. With the invention of the automobile, people could go faster and farther than ever before. But driving was dangerous in rainstorms because something we take for granted today, the windshield wiper, didn't yet exist. One woman noticed the problem and her innovative invention of the first operational windshield wiper transformed transportation and made the roads and highways a safer place. Listen to the story of Mary Anderson, a woman who made a difference.

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