When ordinary people do extraordinary things, there’s no limit to the positive impacts felt by their actions. Sometimes these actions are sought after and intentional, while other times, something remarkable happens by pure chance. Whatever the reason, lives are forever changed when someone steps out of their comfort zone and achieves the unthinkable. Many women have come before us, and countless are yet to be born who are paving the way for change. Let’s celebrate the senior citizen women still living today, making the world a better place for all those around them.
Ruby Bridges
When you hear the name Ruby Bridges, chances are you envision the iconic picture of a young girl, at the tender age of 6 years old, standing in front of a school building – dressed in a sweet pinafore dress, Peter Pan collar, patent leather Mary Janes, and finished off with a bow in her hair. This little girl’s unwavering bravery advanced the cause of civil rights when she became the first African American to attend a white school in the South.
Despite the South’s resistance to integration, Ruby passed the entrance exam following the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling and started kindergarten in New Orleans at William Frantz Elementary in November of 1960. This did not come without consequences; for their safety, Ruby and her mother had to be escorted daily by federal marshals. They witnessed protests throughout the city, and her father even lost his job. Additionally, Ruby ate lunch alone, played alone at recess, and was the single student in the classroom because most teachers refused to teach her. Nonetheless, Ruby Bridges continued to persevere and stand up for equal education opportunities.
Ruby continued through elementary school and eventually graduated from a desegregated high school. Ruby still lives in New Orleans and serves as a lifelong activist for racial equality. In 1999, she established the Ruby Bridges Foundation, promoting change and equality through education.
Dolly Parton
Though she is best known for her work as a country music artist, Dolly Parton is a woman of many talents. She’s a highly decorated musician and lyricist who has received countless nominations, including Grammy Awards, Country Music Association Awards, and American Music Awards. In addition to these accolades, Dolly was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
Dolly’s success doesn't stop there; her resume also boasts titles such as author, successful businesswoman, and philanthropist. Her entertainment venues include Dollywood (theme park), Splash Country (waterpark), and several dinner theaters. Her most outstanding achievements are the Dollywood Foundation and the Imagination Library. Dolly’s foundation was initially designed to reduce the dropout rate for high school students and inspire children to reach their full educational potential. With these efforts still in place, she has expanded her cause to provide educational and poverty relief to Eastern Tennessee, where she grew up. Dolly has put literacy at the fingertips of countless children, distributing over 150 million books as of 2020.
Mae Jemison
They say the sky’s the limit… but for Mae Jemison, that wasn’t good enough. As a young child, Mae had a strong interest in science and knew she wanted to pursue a career in this path. She went on to do just that, with a BS degree in Chemical Engineering and a BA degree in African-American studies.
From there, she furthered her education by attending Cornell Medical School, where she received a Doctorate in Medicine in 1981. She served as a medical officer in the Peace Corps for two years before beginning her private practice. She was already living a successful life with an imposing resume; however, Mae didn’t stop there. In 1983, Sally Ride became the first woman to travel to space, which inspired Jemison to apply to the NASA astronaut program. She was eventually accepted, as one of 15 out of two thousand applicants, in 1987. Just five years later, Mae Jemison became the first African American woman to travel to space – talk about a list of achievements that are quite literally out of this world!
Audrey Evans
Known as the “Mother of Neuroblastoma,” Audrey Evans is a highly respected pediatric oncologist responsible for making many medical advances in childhood cancer. Audrey is regarded as a pioneer in clinical studies and treatment; one of her most notable achievements is developing the Evans staging system. This system focuses on disease progression and helps to determine which treatments will be most effective. Her contributions and discoveries have helped reduce the mortality rate of Neuroblastoma by over 50%.
In addition to her cancer prognosis and treatment advancements, Evans co-founded the Ronald McDonald house. She believed in a total care approach for her patients and that this “home away from home” provided a fun and safe place for children while they received treatment. The Ronald McDonald House provides a place for families to be together, completely free of charge, while fulfilling their social, emotional, and spiritual needs. Through fundraising and donations, the Ronald McDonald House has expanded to a global organization with over three hundred and sixty-five locations serving more than 8 million families.
Conclusion
We all can make a difference in the world, no matter how big or small. These extraordinary women have made substantial impacts and left lasting impressions on all those around them. They’ve created opportunities that previously did not exist and have paved the way for continued success for those who come behind them.
Article written by At Home Care of Louisiana