The Trailblazing Women of Mount Auburn
From artists, to inventors, to astronomers and more, the legacies of women at Mount Auburn remind us that women can do anything.
Women's Suffrage and Equality
Mount Auburn Cemetery, founded in 1831 was the chosen final resting place for many women who fought for women's suffrage and equality. Many of these women did not live to see the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, guaranteeing women the right to vote in the United States. The graves of women's suffrage activists have become pilgrimage sites to women in the modern era, wishing to share their "I Voted" stickers with them as proof of a long fought battle, finally won.
But activism for a cause never truly ends, it evolves and expands.
“For the sake of . . . our children, it is … our … ‘duty’ to stand forth and declare ourselves and principles, to teach an ignorant and suspicious world . . . our aims and interests are identical with those of all good aspiring women,”
Josephine Ruffin “Address to the First National Conference of Colored Women,” 1895.
Although slavery was abolished in the United States with the ratification of the 13th Amendment in 1865, the next century would endure racial apartheid and discrimination in the Jim Crow era. Voter intimidation and literacy tests were just a few of the many ways used to discourage Black men and women from exercising their right to vote, and so Civil Rights activists pushed on in their fight for justice and equality, regardless of race or sex.
Gertrude Wright Morgan (1861-1931)
Suffragist, Civil Rights Activist, & Founding Member of the NAACP
Women in STEM
Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) have long navigated formidable obstacles to transform the landscape of science and technology, a largely male-dominated field. Their diverse perspectives and innovative thinking have laid the groundwork for generations of women entering the field of STEM to excel and reach for the stars.
"The first person who knew of the existence of white dwarfs was Mrs. Fleming; the next two, an hour or two later, Professor E. C. Pickering and I. With characteristic generosity, Pickering had volunteered to have the spectra of the stars which I had observed for parallax looked up on the Harvard plates. All those of faint absolute magnitude turned out to be of class G or later. Moved with curiosity I asked him about the companion of 40 Eridani. Characteristically, again, he telephoned to Mrs. Fleming who reported within an hour or so, that it was of Class A."
Henry Norris Russell "The Astronomical Journal"
Medical Marvels
Women physicians have played a crucial role in advancing medical knowledge, improving patient care, and shaping the future of healthcare—often in the face of systemic barriers. Their contributions have not only transformed the practice of medicine but have also been instrumental in advocating for women's health and the right to medical education.
Their stories remind us that representation in medicine is more than just inclusion—it leads to groundbreaking research, better healthcare outcomes, and a more compassionate approach to healing. By breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations, these women have left a lasting impact on the medical field and the patients they served.
Artists, Authors, and Thinkers
Women have long been forces of artistic innovation, often challenging the status quo to redefine creative expression. Whether through the founding of institutions, the breaking of academic barriers, or the pursuit of artistic freedom, these visionaries have left lasting legacies that continue to shape the world of art today.
These artists, writers, and thinkers not only enriched their respective fields but also carved out space for future generations to experiment, create, and defy convention. Their stories remind us that art is not just about aesthetics—it is about vision, resilience, and the courage to reimagine the world.
LGBTQ Women and Their Communities
For centuries, LGBTQ women have shaped artistic and literary traditions while forging spaces of belonging in a world that often sought to silence them. Through their work and personal lives, they built networks of creativity and resistance, ensuring that their voices—and those of others like them—would endure. Their contributions were not just artistic but deeply communal, offering refuge and inspiration to those who followed.
Harriet Hosmer, a pioneering sculptor in the 19th century, defied gender norms by establishing herself as a leading artist in Rome, where she surrounded herself with a circle of women intellectuals, bohemians, and creatives. Charlotte Cushman, a celebrated Shakespearean actor, commanded the stage and enjoyed embodying male roles, such as her famous rendition of Romeo. Her powerful performances and passionate love affairs with women sustained both her personal and professional life. Poet Amy Lowell, an outspoken literary force of the early 20th century, unapologetically expressed her love for women in her poetry while shaping the imagist movement with her bold and innovative verse.
These women’s lives were a testament to the power of self-determination, artistic excellence, and community. By refusing to conform to societal expectations, they laid the groundwork for future generations of LGBTQ individuals to embrace their identities and tell their own stories.
Acknowledgments
The content on this page has been adapted from the research of Mount Auburn volunteer docents, Nancy Callan, Ginny Brady, Helen Abrams, Marilee O'Brien, Rosemarie Smurzynski, Robin Hazard Ray, and Susan Zawalich. Additional research and writing was compiled and created by Education & Digital Content Manager Corinne Elicona.