Sally Ride
Sally Ride was the first American woman and out LGBTQ+ person in history to go to space. The Los Angeles-born astronaut and physicist broke many barriers throughout her lifetime—she was passionate about improving science education for women everywhere.
The female historical figure has other accomplishments in her name. She served as the Director of the California Space Science Institute and earned a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Famous female authors from California
Joan Didion
The Sacramento native writer launched her career in the 1960s after winning an essay contest sponsored by Vogue magazine. After that, Didion went on to write about a variety of daring topics and earned nationwide critical acclaim.
Her first volume of essays titled “Slouching Towards Bethlehem,” was a collection of her feelings about the counterculture of the 1960s. This female historical figure was also the first person to write a mainstream media article suggesting the Central Park Five were wrongfully convicted.
Passionate and determined, Didion is still active at 86, having published her latest book “Let Me Tell You What I Mean” in early 2021.
Amy Tan
Amy Tan defied all prejudices and excelled in the field of literature. This famous figure in California history has had a pretty tumultuous life, remnants of which can be seen in her novels. Her first book, The Joy Luck Club, was inspired by her visit to China with her mother in 1987. There, she met two of her half-sisters for the first time.
Her mother’s history also inspired Tan’s second novel, The Kitchen God’s Wife. Amy has received several awards for her phenomenal novels and has lectured in universities all over the world from Beijing to Doha.
Female Californians who revolutionized the entertainment industry