In March 2025, the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) celebrates Women's History Month:

"Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations."

The National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA) is the organization responsible for crafting new themes annually, NWHA continues to highlight the vital contributions of women throughout history. Dedicated to preserving and promoting women’s history, NWHA works to ensure that the role of women in shaping society is recognized and celebrated nationwide.

Women's History Month honors the resilience, dedication, and far-reaching influence of women who have devoted their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership. It highlights the pivotal role they play in shaping the minds of future generations, fostering innovation, and inspiring meaningful change across all sectors of society. From classrooms to boardrooms, from grassroots activism to global policymaking, these women serve as catalysts for progress, ensuring that knowledge, empowerment, and opportunity are accessible to all. Their contributions not only break down barriers but also create a lasting impact that transcends generations, paving the way for a more inclusive future.

"Nothing is inherently bound by the limitations of genders, except the part when one imposes such limitations upon it."

-Viraj Samant (Graduate Assistant – ODIME) 

At Worcester Polytechnic Institute, we deeply appreciate the remarkable contributions and transformative impact of these distinguished women across various fields. In recognition of their dedication and achievements, we would like to extend special mentions to a few outstanding individuals.

• Anne Clarke Wolff is a trailblazer in the financial sector, bringing over 30 years of experience in banking and corporate leadership. Before founding Independence Point Advisors (IPA) in 2021, she held senior positions at major financial institutions, including Bank of America, Citigroup, and Lehman Brothers, where she was often one of the few women in leadership roles.

  With IPA, she created the first woman-founded investment bank and advisory firm on Wall Street, dedicated to promoting inclusivity in financial dealmaking—a traditionally man-dominated industry. Clarke Wolff has been a strong proponent of advocating for equal representation at the decision-making table. She believes that pragmatic leadership teams drive better business outcomes and economic growth.

  Despite the political and economic shifts that have challenged the corporate climate, she remains steadfast in her commitment to fostering inclusive environments. She actively works with organizations to ensure that efforts towards inclusive excellence are not just performative gestures but integral to business success. Her work has paved the way for more women and underrepresented professionals to enter and thrive in finance, making her a key figure in reshaping the industry's future.

• Bri Howard is making significant strides in the sports industry, particularly in advancing opportunities for women in professional football. As a representative of the Detroit Lions, she played a key role in the NFL's 9th annual Women's Forum in February 2025, an initiative designed to foster connections between women and NFL executives, coaches, and team leaders.

  The forum serves as a pivotal platform for expanding career opportunities for women within the league, from coaching and scouting to front-office leadership and operations. Howard’s participation reflects her dedication to breaking barriers in a traditionally man-dominated field, helping to increase the representation of women at all levels of the NFL.

  Her contributions align with the league’s broader push for gender pluralism, which has already led to groundbreaking milestones, such as the record 15 full-time woman coaches in the 2024 season. By advocating for inclusivity and mentorship, Bri Howard is shaping the future of professional football, ensuring that women not only have a seat at the table but also thrive in influential roles within the sport.

• Ambika Mod is a rising star in the entertainment industry, celebrated for her compelling performances and significant impact on representation in film and television. Gaining widespread recognition for her roles in "This Is Going to Hurt" and "One Day," she has been praised for bringing depth, authenticity, and emotional nuance to her characters.

  In 2024, her talent and influence earned her a place on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Europe list, recognizing young trailblazers shaping the future of their industries. She was also named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Emerging Leaders, highlighting her role in reshaping perceptions of leading roles in entertainment. As a British-Indian actress, Mod has been instrumental in challenging industry norms and advocating for greater representation in storytelling.

  Her work extends beyond acting, as she actively speaks out about inclusivity in media, encouraging more opportunities for underrepresented voices. Through her performances and advocacy, Ambika Mod is redefining what it means to be a leading figure in film and television, inspiring a new generation of artists and audiences alike.

Here are some remarkable women who made significant contributions and brought major changes in various fields during the 2010s:

Politics & Activism

• Malala Yousafzai – A Pakistani activist for girls' education, Malala survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban in 2012 and went on to become the youngest Nobel Prize laureate in 2014. She founded the Malala Fund, advocating for education access worldwide.
• Greta Thunberg – A Swedish environmental activist, Thunberg gained global recognition in 2018 for her climate change protests, inspiring millions through her "Fridays for Future" movement. She was named Time’s Person of the Year in 2019.
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) – Elected to the U.S. Congress in 2018, AOC became the youngest woman ever elected at age 29. She championed progressive policies such as the Green New Deal and economic justice initiatives.
• Tarana Burke – Founder of the #MeToo movement, which gained international momentum in the 2010s, empowering survivors of sexual harassment and assault to speak out against systemic abuse.

Science & Technology

• Katie Bouman – A computer scientist, Bouman played a key role in developing the algorithm that led to the first-ever image of a black hole in 2019, revolutionizing astrophysics.
• Jennifer Doudna & Emmanuelle Charpentier – These scientists co-developed CRISPR-Cas9, a groundbreaking gene-editing technology that has transformed medicine and genetics. Their work earned them the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020.
• Fei-Fei Li – A leader in artificial intelligence, she helped develop ImageNet, a critical dataset for training AI models, and became an advocate for ethical AI usage in tech.

Arts & Entertainment

• Beyoncé – A global music icon, Beyoncé used her platform for empowerment and feminism, releasing groundbreaking albums like Lemonade (2016) and headlining Coachella in 2018 with a historic performance.
• Lupita Nyong’o – The Kenyan-Mexican actress won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for 12 Years a Slave (2013) and became a champion for non-discrimination in Hollywood.
• Ava DuVernay – A filmmaker who broke barriers, she directed Selma (2014) and 13th (2016), highlighting injustice and criminal justice reform. She was the first Black woman to direct a film nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.

Sports

• Serena Williams – One of the greatest tennis players of all time, Williams continued dominating the sport throughout the 2010s, winning multiple Grand Slam titles while advocating for maternal health awareness.
• Megan Rapinoe – A U.S. soccer star and activist, Rapinoe led the U.S. Women's National Team to victory in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup while advocating for equal pay in sports and LGBTQIAP+ rights.
• Simone Biles – A record-breaking gymnast, Biles dominated the sport in the 2010s, winning multiple Olympic and World Championship medals while also speaking out on mental health and abuse in sports.

These trailblazing women not only shaped history but also paved the way for future generations to follow in their footsteps. Their resilience, leadership, and groundbreaking achievements in politics, science, entertainment, and sports have redefined what is possible for women across the globe. Whether advocating for education, climate action, or technological advancements, each of these individuals has left an indelible mark on society.

"With this Women's History Month, we look back to the incredible work that has been done and we look forward to what can be done. There isn't a doubt in my mind that some of the future leaders and makers of history will come from the WPI community."

-Lauren Feldman (they/she), Assistant Director for Gender Equity and Sexuality (ODIME)

As we celebrate Women’s History Month in 2025, we honor their legacy and recognize the vital role women continue to play in shaping our world. Their contributions remind us that progress is built through determination, courage, and the unwavering belief in a brighter future. By uplifting and supporting the next generation of leaders, educators, and changemakers, we can ensure that their impact continues to resonate for years to come.

The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) promotes and oversees student-facing learning experiences, programs, services, trainings, and initiatives for WPI.