History-Making Women From North Carolina You Should Know About

There are a lot of things we should be proud of when it comes to North Carolina. The state pride that oozes out of this great state is worth shouting from the rooftops, especially regarding the fabulously fierce women who have made their mark on North Carolina's history. North Carolina has a rich history of trailblazing women who contributed significantly to politics, education, civil rights, and the arts. Here are some of our favorites who deserve the utmost respect.

1. Gertrude Weil

A pioneering activist from Goldsboro, Gertrude Weil was a leader in both the women’s suffrage movement and the fight for civil rights. Weil played a key role in organizing suffrage campaigns in North Carolina, leading the North Carolina Equal Suffrage Association and working tirelessly to secure women’s right to vote. When the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920, she shifted her focus to broader social justice issues, including workers' rights, education reform, and racial equality. She was an outspoken advocate for desegregation at a time when such views were highly unpopular in the South.

2. Maya Angelou

Though born in Missouri, Maya Angelou made North Carolina her home for over three decades as a professor at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. She was a poet, author, singer, dancer, and civil rights activist whose work profoundly impacted American literature and social justice movements. Her groundbreaking autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was among the first works by a Black woman to achieve mainstream literary success, detailing her struggles with racism, trauma, and resilience.

Throughout her career, she collaborated with leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, advocating for civil rights on a global scale. Angelou was awarded over 50 honorary degrees and became the first African American woman to write and present a poem at a U.S. presidential inauguration when she read On the Pulse of Morning for Bill Clinton in 1993. Her legacy continues through her poetry, activism, and the countless writers she inspired.

3. Dolley Madison

Born in Guilford County, Dolley Madison became one of the most influential First Ladies in U.S. history. Though she spent much of her life in Virginia and Washington, D.C., her North Carolina roots shaped her early years. As the wife of President James Madison, she transformed the role of First Lady, turning the White House into a hub of social and political influence. She was known for her charm, diplomatic skills, and ability to bring people together during a deeply divided time in American politics.

Her most famous act of heroism occurred during the War of 1812 when she saved the now-iconic portrait of George Washington from the White House just before the British burned the building. Even after her time in the White House, Dolley remained a beloved public figure, advising politicians and shaping early American culture.

4. Pauli Murray

Born in Durham, Pauli Murray was a lawyer, poet, activist, and the first Black woman to be ordained as an Episcopal priest. She was a lifelong advocate for civil rights and gender equality, often challenging the legal system to fight for justice. Murray’s legal work laid the foundation for future civil rights cases, including Brown v. Board of Education.

Her book States' Laws on Race and Color was so influential that Thurgood Marshall referred to it as the "Bible" of the civil rights movement. She was also a co-founder of the National Organization for Women (NOW), fighting for women's rights alongside figures like Betty Friedan.

5. Nina Simone

Extraordinary singer and civil rights activist Nina Simone was born in Tryon, NC during the Great Depression. She's famously known for effortlessly blending tunes from different genres, such as classical, jazz, and blues. Simone's music often discussed politics and expressed the experiences of racial inequality and discrimination for Black Americans. It's one of the reasons why her work was so important and served as a beacon of hope and resilience during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.

How many of these influential women were you familiar with already? If you want to know more famous people from North Carolina, we've got so many more to share! And if you're looking to learn more about NC's history, visit our itinerary planner to find historic sites and museums near you!