Firsts for Women: May 2021

Zonta International celebrates “firsts for women” in all different sectors in countries and communities around the world.

Looking back on last month, we acknowledge the following women:

  • Amazing Amy – first person with Down syndrome to compete in a national collegiate athletic championship.
  • Joanne Anderson – first Black woman to lead a major British city as Mayor of Liverpool.
  • Sally Ride and Maya Angelou – first women to be featured and honored on the United States quarter.
  • Natasha Asghar – first woman of color to win a seat in the Welsh Parliament.
  • Mona Becker – first woman to be elected mayor of Westminster, Maryland, USA.
  • Elisabetta Belloni – first woman to be appointed to lead Italy’s Department of Information Security.
  • Nitika Bhalla – first woman to become Mayor of Moga, India.
  • Simone Biles – first woman to land a Yurchenko double pike in gymnastics.
  • Bailie Brown – first woman to complete a sports analytics degree at Syracuse University, USA.
  • Sally Buzbee – first woman to lead The Washington Post newsroom as executive editor.
  • Laurence des Cars – first woman to direct the Louvre.
  • Kristen Clarke – first woman and first Black woman to lead the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
  • Alina Hudak – first woman to serve as city manager of Miami Beach, Florida, USA.
  • Aisha Ibrahim – first woman to become executive chef of Canlis in Seattle, Washington, USA.
  • Karen E. Knudsen – first woman to be named CEO of the American Cancer Society.
  • Fiame Naomi Mata'afa – first woman to be elected as Samoa’s Prime Minister.
  • Little Mix – first girl band to win Best British Group at the BRIT Awards.
  • Beth Mowins – first woman to be a sportscaster for a Chicago Cubs regular-season game.
  • Arooj Shah – first Muslim woman to take charge of a council in the north of England.
  • Lindsay Schanzer – first woman to produce a Triple Crown race telecast.
  • Taylor Swift – first woman and youngest artist in history to win Global Icon at the BRIT Awards.
  • Commodore Jude Terry – first woman appointed as admiral of Britain’s Royal Navy.
  • Melanie Wood – first woman to win the $1M Waterman Award in math.
  • Christine Wormuth – first woman to be confirmed as the Secretary of the U.S. Army.

As an organization that has fought for gender equality for more than 100 years, Zonta International believes it is important to celebrate and honor women who are making history. Each month, we will recognize women who have broken the glass ceiling and set an example for future generations to come.

Do you know of a first for women moment that should be recognized? Share with us at [email protected].

1 JUNE 2021