History That's More Than 2-Dimensional.

Story: Upbeat

August 24, 2016 in Modern Worthies

Katharine Blodgett Gebbie

Mentor to Nobel Laureates

In nearly fifty years of working for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gebbie was the director for the Physical Measurement Laboratory and its two immediate predecessors. During her time as director, four of the scientists working under her won the Nobel Prize in Physics.

August 19, 2016 in Modern Worthies

Zahra Nemati

Olympic & Paralympic Archer

After a car accident left her legs paralyzed, Nemati took up archery because "this is the rare case when a disabled person can compete on equal terms with a healthy one."

August 18, 2016 in Modern Worthies

Fu Yuanhui

Lovable Olympic Swimmer

After tying for bronze in the women's 100 meter backstroke, Fu became an internet sensation for her adorable reactions and interviews.

August 16, 2016 in Modern Worthies

Meenakshi Amma

The Sword-Fighting Granny

Meenakshi has been practicing kalaripayattu for decades, and now teaches it to a younger generation -- including increasing numbers of girls.

August 12, 2016 in Modern Worthies

Kristin Armstrong

Three-Time Olympic Gold Medalist

Armstrong is the only cyclist to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the same discipline. Though a few other cyclists have won more medals in more disciplines, Armstrong also won while older than all of them, turning 43 the day after her win.

August 8, 2016 in Modern Worthies

Yusra Mardini

Olympic Swimmer Who Swam Three Hours Pushing a Boat of Other Syrian Refugees to Safety

A dinghy, built for six but holding twenty refugees, broke down in the Aegean Sea. Mardini, her sister Sarah, and two others jumped out and swam for three hours, pushing the boat all the way to Lesbos.

August 2, 2016 in Modern Worthies

Claressa Shields

First American Woman to Win Olympic Gold Medal for Boxing

The 2012 Olympic games were the first to feature women's boxing as an event, and at 17 years old--one of the youngest boxers there--Shields won gold in her weight class. But fame, money, and endorsements did not follow.

August 1, 2016 in Modern Worthies

Yuriko Koike

Tokyo's First Female Governor

On July 31, 2016, the city of Tokyo elected Koike as governor by a wide margin, making her the first woman to hold that position.

July 29, 2016 in Modern Worthies

Stacey Kozel

The Paralyzed Woman Hiking the Appalachian Trail

After lupus left her legs permanently paralyzed, Kozel found some leg braces that would help her stand and walk. So she decided to hike the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail.

July 26, 2016 in Modern Worthies

Nzingha Prescod

Olympian Fencer

Nzingha is only 23 years old and already competing in her second Olympics.