Women’s history shines in Connecticut

March is Women’s History Month, a time set aside to “commemorate and encourage the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history,” as the National Archives states.

In recognition of this, let’s take a look at a few entries in the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame, a roster of distinguished women, some familiar, some perhaps surprising, who have made their mark on the state and in many cases the world.

Rosa Ponselle, a Meriden native, is an excellent example of a distinguished member of the Hall. She became a world famous opera singer, debuting at the Metropolitan Opera, in 1918, at just 21 years of age, according to her CWHF biography.

Enrico Caruso had invited the young soprano to audition for a leading role and this was the start of a triumphant 20-year career at the Met and worldwide fame. Ponselle and her older sister Carmella had performed together on Broadway.

Other inductees include Kristin M. Griest, of Orange, the first female infantry officer in the U.S. Army.

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A 2011 West Point graduate, she is one of the first two women to graduate from the U.S. Army Ranger School when the “grueling” program, as it’s widely described, first opened to women as a pilot program. Griest now is an instructor at the Ranger School. In 2016, she was on Fortune maga- zine’s list of the World’s Greatest Leaders.

Hartford native and Nobel Prize winner Barbara McClintock is “one of the greatest geneticists of the 20th century,” states her CWHF biography.

Inductees in 2022 include Susan Whaley, professional golfer and first woman president of the PGA of America and Lhakpa Sherpa, a Nepal native who now resides in West Hartford, who reached the summit of Everest 10 times.

The inductee list is full of many names that may be familiar, women from sports, sciences, politics, the arts and other domains.

Helen Keller, Katherine Hepburn and her mother (a political activist), Rebecca Lobo, Dorothy Hamill, Jane Pauley. What may not be as familiar are the many areas of accomplishment these women became involved in, beyond the obvious. For instance, Pauley is an advocate for mental health awareness due to her own struggles with a bipolar diagnosis.

The CWHF offers programs and other support to help women and girls succeed and “believe in their unlimited potential.”

The 118 inductees serve as “role models for women of all ages and their stories are proof of all that women can accomplish,” according to a statement by the organization.

What’s written here is only a glimpse into the impressive roll call of Conn ecticut’s women of note. Those 118 stories are well worth a read, from earliest days to the current era, women with roots in Connecticut have emerged as leaders, shaping the landscape where we live and far beyond.

Whether a well-known name or one who worked in relative obscurity, their accomplishments loom large and have opened doors for all women.