- Women are making history both on and off the silver screen.
- From first-time wins to fighting for equal pay, women are helping lead changes in representation.
- In 2024, Lily Gladstone became the first Indigenous woman to win best actress at the Golden Globes.
Women in film have created some of the most recognizable characters, costumes, and songs in history. But so many of them have had to push back against sexism, racism, and ageism in the industry.
Even after historic Academy Awards wins, actresses like Hattie McDaniel, Rita Moreno, and Miyoshi Umeki were left with stereotypical roles like maids and submissive housewives, demonstrating how even those at the top of their game could be relegated to caricatures.
And decades later, actresses like Octavia Spencer have had to speak on the same topic, as well as the issue of pay equality, not only in relation to male co-stars but to white actresses, too.
Despite the issues that persist in the industry, there’s been great progress. Just look at stars like Michelle Yeoh and Lily Gladstone and the success of female-led and female-made movies like “Barbie,” which smashed box-office records when it was released in 2023 and brought in more than $1.4 billion in global ticket sales, according to Box Office Mojo data.
In honor of Women’s History Month, here’s a look at 25 iconic women who’ve made movie history and continue to inspire younger generations to do the same.
