1933: Hedy Lamarr -
In 1933, Hedy Lamarr became the first woman to depict an o r g a s m on screen in the film 'Ecstasy.' The Czech movie was banned in the US.
1934: Josephine Baker -
Josephine Baker became the first ever Black woman to star in a motion picture. She played the lead role in the French movie 'Zouzou.'
1952: Christine Jorgensen -
Christine Jorgensen was a World War II veteran and actress who underwent the first public gender confirmation surgery in 1952.
1955: Dorothy Dandridge -
In 1955, Dorothy Dandridge was the first Black woman to be nominated for the Oscar for Best Actress. She was recognized for her role in ‘Carmen Jones.’
1986: Oprah Winfrey - Oprah Winfrey became the first Black woman to host a national talk show in 1986. She would go on to become the first Black woman to own and produce one, too.
1994: Darnell Martin -
Darnell Martin became the first Black woman to direct a studio film with ‘I Like It Like That’ in 1994.
1997: Ellen DeGeneres -
In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres came out in an episode of her hit sitcom ‘Ellen.’ This made her the first out lesbian to play an out lesbian on TV!
2002: Halle Berry -
Halle Berry was famously the first Black woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress in 2002. She was recognized for her starring role in the film ‘Monster Ball.’
2010: Kathryn Bigelow -
Kathryn Bigelow was the first woman to win the Oscar for Best Director in 2010. She directed the movie ‘The Hurt Locker.’
2013: Laverne Cox -
Laverne Cox is a transgender actress famous for her role in the series ‘Orange is the New Black.’ In 2013 she became the first out trans woman to be nominated for an Emmy.