MAKERS: Ten Stories You Should Watch

In 2013, I attended the premiere of Makers. Conceptualized by Dyllan McGee who then partnered with AOL and PBS, it started as a “digital video and broadcast initiative that aim[ed] to capture the extraordinary impact women have made in America over the past 50 years through a vast and ongoing collection of original interviews with trailblazing women of all walks of life.” It has continued as an online historical and motivational tool documenting the women (and men) who inspire.

I asked Maureen Sullivan, who was the President of AOL.com and it’s lifestyle brands when Makers was launched, to give me her five faves. She was instrumental in getting these stories told, and told well. She is now COO of Rent the Runway, and one of the most inspirational women I know … she’s also younger than me, gorgeous, kind and an amazing mom to three great little kids. I’d like to be like her when I grow up.

It is easy to get lost in the pages of Makers, but here are five of my favorite stories, and five of Maureen’s to give you some browsing direction:

Carol Burnett: First woman variety TV show host

Muriel Siebert: First woman of Wall Street

Gloria Steinem: Feminist activist

Ruth Westhiemer: Sex therapist

Kathryn Switzer: The first woman to enter the Boston Marathon

Val Demings: The first female chief of police, Orlando FL

Brenda Berkman: First NYC female firefighter

Sandra Day O’Connor, First female justice, U.S. Supreme Court

Sarah Weddington: Attorney, Roe v. Wade

Ruth Bader Ginsberg: Supreme Court Justice

Today, I asked my teenage daughters to give me some inspirational women. They struggled to come up with names. The stories of great men are so well known, but these women not only did great things, they paved the way for us and for our girls. We owe them a debt of gratitude. We need to at least know their names. Makers.com is a great place to start.