Learn more about these amazing women by checking out the bios below!

Amazons Warriors

the image from the front cover of the book Amazons by Adrienne Mayor
statues of Amazon warrior women, as shown in Mayor's book
Amazons were originally believed to be mythical enemies of Greek warriors such as Heracles and Achilles. In her book The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across the Ancient World, Adrienne Mayor explores the history surrounding these women and their roles in society. Amazons were both fighting women and characters in love stories. Her book discusses the importance of these women throughout history and throughout the world. 
FIND OUT MORE ON WEDNESDAY MARCH 4TH, 6:00PM, WITH DR. MICHELLE MASKIELL. FIND OUT MORE HERE!
  

Loret Ruppe 

a picture of Loret Ruppe
Loret Ruppe served as the Peace Crops Director for eight years (1981-1989), making her term the longest of any director's in the organization's history. Ruppe strengthened the Peace Corps, and in many ways, shaped it into the organization it is today. Under her lead, the Peace Corps was saved from extinction and volunteer volume increased by 20% during a time of notable federal budget cuts. Ruppe's fight for the Peace Corps successfully demonstrated its importance to the leaders of the United States and due to her influence and success, the budget was boosted again. Ruppe also created the African Food Systems Initiative in order to help small farmers with water supplies, storage and preservation of crops, and land reparation. In addition, Ruppe started the Women In Development program, which aimed to incorporate more women into Peace Corps programs around the world to help increase women's productivity and earnings. Ruppe's new programs and initiatives changed the Peace Corps for the better and, in recognition of her efforts, she received the Grand Cross of the Norwegian Order of Merit. Ruppe's work around the world will not be forgotten.
FIND OUT MORE ON MARCH 25TH AT OUR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER PANNEL. MORE INFO HERE. 

Pretty-Shield 

The book cover of pretty-shield- a book about the apsaalooke woman as recored by Frank B. Linderman

Pretty Shield was a Apsáalooke Crow woman who grew up during the late 1800's. The Apsaalooke culture was altered significantly during her lifetime as the west felt the impact of colonization. Her accounts of these changes were recorded in the biographical book pictured above. Frank B. Linderman, a white anthropologist who spent time with Pretty Shield and her family, has been credited with her story, but the book Pretty Shield was actually authored by its subject herself, and transcribed by Linderman.

Pretty Shield felt strongly that holding on to traditional ways of life was essential to keeping their culture alive. When her daughter died in 1924, Pretty Shield took up the responsibility of raising her grandchildren. She tried to instill the Apsáalooke way of life into her grandchildren and attempted to keep them from attending the government school. She succeeded in teaching her youngest granddaughter, Alma, traditional customs and Alma was able to avoid attending the white government schools until she was older. When Pretty Shield died in 1944 due to the heartbreak she suffered after being separated from her family who she worried were moving away from their Apsáalooke heritage.  Alma carried on her grandmother's teachings, and her memory lives on through her lessons and her descendants. Alma later wrote her own book, Grandmother's Grandchild, to recount her personal experiences with Pretty Shield and the changes colonization brought to the lives of the Apsaalooke people. 

 

Anna Fisher

a picture of Anna Fisher

a picture of Anna Fisher in her helmet

 

Anna Fisher is currently a management astronaut at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. She has a Masters in Chemistry and is a Doctor of Medicine. She worked as a doctor, specializing in emergency medicine, in Los Angeles after her graduation from UCLA. In 1978, Fisher was selected to be a astronaut. She worked on the Canadarm Remote Manipulator System, know as the shuttle's “robotic arm”. In addition, she was the physician in the rescue helicopter for test launches and landings. Her first trip into space aboard Discovery lasted 192 hours and  two satellites were deployed. Fisher was also on the first-ever salvage mission, where her team retrieved two satellites. She had countless responsibilities at NASA, including serving on the Astronaut Selection Board and acting as the deputy of the Mission Development branch of the Astronaut Office. Fisher took a leave of absence in order to spend time with her two daughters, Kristin and Kara. When she returned she was appointed the chief of the Space Station Branch for the International Space Station. Anna Fisher is most well known as the first mother in space. Throughout her life, Fisher has won many awards including Mother of the Year award, a NASA Space Flight Medal, and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. Her career at NASA was fundamental to development of space exploration and she continues her legacy as a essential part of NASA's mission.