Beyond their practical use, postage stamps serve as a canvas for commemorating events and individuals. Featuring men and women on these stamps not only honors their contributions but also sparks inspiration. Let’s check out some iconic women who’ve made a huge mark in American history – and in the mail.
Who are the women featured on U.S. postage stamps and what are they known for?
Historical Figures, Pioneers and Trailblazers
Queen Isabella: Before becoming the first woman on a U.S. stamp, she supported Christopher Columbus’s 1942 voyage that launched the age of exploration.
Martha Washington: The very First Lady and a true partner (figuratively and literally) to former president George Washington during the American revolution. She is honored in the 8-cent stamp, the first U.S. stamp with an American woman.
Harriet Tubman: Dubbed the "Moses of Her People”, she guided hundreds to freedom through the Underground Railroad. She was also a Union spy, scout, nurse, and founder of a home for the elderly and the indigent. All these made her the first African American woman on a postage stamp — a well-deserved honor.
Rosa Parks: Imagine being told to give up your seat because of your skin color. This brave woman refused, and her act of defiance sparked the Montgomery bus boycott and civil rights movement. Years later, a First-Class commemorative stamp was issued in her honor.
Amelia Earhart: She made history by becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, the US, and the Pacific. But she wasn't just a great pilot — she also served as a nurse and as a career counselor.
Sally Ride: A physicist and astronaut, she soared into history as the first American woman in space.
Clara Barton: Founded the American Red Cross. She cared for wounded soldiers during the Civil War, that’s why she was called “Angel of the Battlefield”.
Science and Medicine
Dr. Mary Walker: The first (and only) woman recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. She served on the front lines as a surgeon, advocated for women's rights, and even wore trousers — a radical move for her time.
Elizabeth Blackwell: A pioneer in medicine. She became the first woman to earn a medical degree, opened the first hospital with women staff, and co-founded the U.S. Sanitary Commission during the Civil War.
Alice Hamilton: A champion for the safety of workers. She uncovered the link between immigrant health issues and unsafe working conditions, led the Illinois Occupational Disease Commission, and broke barriers as the first woman on the Harvard Medical School faculty.
Clara Maass: Seeing the fatal effects of yellow fever firsthand, she bravely volunteered for a medical experiment. Her selfless act contributed significantly to understanding the transmission of yellow fever.
Sports
Hazel Wightman: A tennis legend. Revolutionized the game with her volley technique. She also founded the Wightman Cup, an annual competition between the U.S. and Great Britain.
Helene Madison: With over a hundred national and world records to her name, she once held every U.S. record in women's freestyle swimming — a feat no other swimmer has ever accomplished.
Mildred “Babe” Zaharias: Named Woman Athlete of the 20th Century by the Associated Press. She excelled in basketball, track and field, and golf, winning Olympic gold and shattering records while defying gender stereotypes.
Art, Music, Literature, and Entertainment
Frida Kahlo: Her iconic self-portraits radiating Mexican patriotism greatly influenced Chicana artists in the United States. Honored as the first Hispanic woman on a U.S. postage stamp, her legacy lives on.
Maya Angelou: A multifaceted genius. Poet, dancer, singer, activist, scholar, and a literary icon. Her unique autobiographical writing style has inspired readers and writers alike.
Louisa May Alcott: Author of the novel Little Women. She also served as a nurse during the Civil War and championed causes like abolition, temperance, and women’s suffrage.
Emily Dickinson: Having penned more than 1,700 poems, she is considered as the greatest American female poet of the 19th century and one of the most influential poets ever. Her signature style of short phrases punctuated with dashes sets her apart.
Dinah Washington: She may be known as the "Queen of the Blues," but her musical range includes gospel, jazz, pop, R&B, and country. Her iconic hit is the timeless “What a Difference a Day Makes”.
Ethel Waters: A blues singer and actress who was given the moniker “Mother of Modern Popular Singing”. She was the first African American to star in her own TV show and earn a Primetime Emmy nomination.
Billie Holiday: Nicknamed “Lady Day” and one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time. She drew inspiration from jazz instrumentalists and pioneered an innovative approach to phrasing and tempo.
This concludes our list of notable women who have graced postage stamps. As we honor these remarkable women, let’s also appreciate the incredible legacies of all those who have made a difference, one stamp at a time. Pass along their inspiring stories and add a personal touch to your messages through
direct mail postcards.
