LEFT OUT OF HISTORY
Many years ago early in my career, I read an article about trailblazing women in mathematics, science, engineering and more that nobody had ever heard of. At the time I thought about writing a book called Left Out of History. So, I figured that now in 2025 when so many gains that women have made face political headwinds, it’s a good time to revisit the topic. In honor of Women’s History Month, here are just a few of the many female unsung heroes who should loom larger in our collective consciousness.
ANGELYNE
Influencer Marketing and in fact personal branding itself owes its existence to one woman, the mysterious Angelyne. Los Angeles actress, singer, and provocateur, she used billboards in the 1980’s to become famous for being famous. With eye-popping photos and a mere name and phone number, she revolutionized exposure and forever changed the landscape of self-promotion. “She’s been called “the original influencer” for a reason. Without Angelyne, there is arguably no Paris Hilton — and certainly no Kim Kardashian,” SFGate.com. Left out of history no more, Peacock created a miniseries about her life.
MURIEL FOX
One of the first people ever to merge public relations strategies with activism to influence both public opinion and policy, Fox utilized her expertise to promote women’s rights and co-founded the National Organization for Women (NOW). She was the first female professional at one of the world’s largest PR firms, Carl Byoir & Associates. It’s no surprise that she was a Matrix Award honoree in 1977.
JOAN GANZ COONEY
Co-founder of the beloved Sesame Street, she revolutionized educational television for generations of children. In its first season, the show won three Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and was featured on the cover of Time magazine. She went on to create The Electric Company and Dragon Tales. The Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor, was bestowed on her in 1998. Cooney served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sesame Workshop until 1990.
HELEN LANSDOWNE RESOR
When most people think about advertising legends, male leaders’ names roll off their tongues. Seldom do we ever hear about the female pioneers who made the current ad industry what it is today. One such woman is Helen Landsdowne Resor. She created the first-ever emotionally-driven ads, appealing directly to the emotions of women. Resor pioneered creating narratives to connect on a psychological level, especially to women. In 1912, she produced a groundbreaking campaign for facial soap that focused on the needs of consumers and advertising was transformed forever.
THE ENIAC PROGRAMMERS
Six brilliant women, Kay McNulty, Betty Jennings, Betty Snyder, Marlyn Wescoff, Fran Bilas, and Ruth Lichterman, laid the groundwork for modern computer programming in the 1940’s. Never given the credit that they deserved, the sensational six were the original programmers for the government’s ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), the first general-purpose electronic digital computer. Their work helped alter the world of communications forever.
HEDY LAMARR
Yes, that Hedy Lamarr, gained her renown as a Hollywood actress of exotic beauty. Yet, she was also an inventor who was passionate about science and was reputed to work on inventions between takes while filming! She created an upgraded stoplight and a tablet that dissolved in water to make a soda similar to today’s Coca-Cola. Yet what should have rocketed her fame was her co-developing a communication system with the original intent of increasing the security of radio-guided missiles during World War II. It turns out that the invention was the forerunner for today’s Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth. “Such achievements have led Lamarr to be dubbed “the mother of Wi-Fi” according to the National Women’s History Museum.
Now, when you hire an influencer, use your GPS, create emotive content that sells products, tap away on your computer, help educate a child with the Cookie Monster, or use PR strategies for political purposes, you’ll know the women who started it all.
Written by Lori Greene
