Google the word pioneer and you’ll get lists and lists of men throughout history who have done incredible things. But what about the women? Have we not done just as much?

The answer is obviously yes. But the accomplishments of women have too often been left off the pages of history books. At Panelle, we want to re-write history – telling a story where women’s voices are heard, just as much as men’s.

In this list is women, from both history and still working today, that have made amazing change in their sectors.  All of whom deserve to be the number one result on that google search.

Pioneer of Tech: Grace Hopper

Grace Hopper was a Yale Graduate and highly decorated scholar in mathematics. Her work in the Naval Reserve was unmatched, designing technology that revolutionised coding and data processing. Even after entering the computer industry, Hopper remained a Navy reservist until age of retirement. Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016 – as she deserved!

Pioneer of Equality: Melinda Gates

Often relegated to just being ‘Bill Gates ex-wife’, Melinda Gates has done so much more for women’s equality than most people could imagine. Her vast fortune has been largely spent on gender equality initiatives and charity work across the world. She turned The Gates Foundation into the ‘world’s wealthiest charitable foundation’, according to the National Women’s History Museum.

Pioneer of Jewellery: Kendra Scott

Her name synonymous with her brand, Kendra Scott’s billion-dollar jewellery company famously started as just a spare bedroom project. Forbes reported that she made her first sales working door-to-door in her neighbourhood. Now she has found major success, her business still focuses on uplifting and supporting women, claiming her team is 98% female.

Pioneer of Finance: Mary Ellen Pleasant

Taking it back a few hundred years, Marry Ellen Pleasant was arguably the first African American self-made millionaire. Living and working in wealthy social circles, Pleasant gained information about finance, investing and real estate from those she was surrounded by. She then used her fortune to help enslaved and freed African Americans across the country, by helping them find jobs and opportunities. Pleasant also donated generously to abolitionist campaigns, using her hard-earned money to make great change.

Pioneer of Journalism: Katharine Graham

Becoming owner of The Washington Post in 1963, Pulitzer Prize winner Katherine Graham’s leadership of the paper turned it into one of the most respected publications in the United States. Valuing editorial excellence, she expanded the business into broadcast, cable, newspaper and magazine. Graham led investigations into Watergate and the Pentagon Papers and now rightfully known as one of America’s greatest journalists.

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