March is Women’s History Month—a time to reflect on the countless ways women have shaped the world around us. In this blog, we’re spotlighting some everyday items and innovations you rely on—which wouldn’t exist without the ingenuity of women. It’s a powerful reminder that progress isn’t just influenced by women—it depends on them having a seat at the table.

The Essentials:

Wi-Fi: Reading this on your computer at your office, or at that coworking space would not be possible without women. Why? Without women, Wi-Fi would not exist. Hedy Lamarr, Hollywood actress and inventor, co-invested the frequency-hopping technology during World War II, laying the foundation for modern Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth. So, next time your streaming Netflix on the free airport Wi-Fi while you wait for your delayed flight, send up a thank you for Hedy!

Dishwasher: Picture this, you just finished an elaborate, excellent 4-course meal you made at home. After grinding for hours to make this meal, you look at the pile of dishes in the sink with no anxiety, because you have your trusty dishwasher to do the job for you. Well – not without the brilliant mind of Josephine Cochane in 1887, when she patented the first practical, automated dishwasher. Thank you Josephine for saving us hours of fishing through and scrubbing off slimy, old food!

Windshield Wipers: Whether it’s rain, snow, sleet, or hail, things can take a very dangerous turn without proper cleaning of your windshield. In 1903, Mary Anderson saved many lives when she patented the first mechanical windshield wiper. We can see clearly now, thanks Mary!

Safety & Infrastructure:

Paper Bag Machines: For all the green-minded shoppers, choosing “paper” instead of “plastic” is a no brainer. You watch the cashier grab what looks like a thin piece of brown paper, and after a few aggressive shakes out pops your bag. Margaret Knight made condensing paper bags easy for all by inventing the paper bag machine, which folded anf glued the bags, in 1868.

Coffee Filters: Don’t talk to you until you’ve had your morning coffee? Well, your essential to jump start your mind is thanks to Melitta Bentz, who invested the first paper coffee filter in 1908, saying goodbye to bitter-tasting coffee!

Electric Refrigerator: From slow dancing in the refrigerator light, to keeping those leftovers you’ve been dreaming about all day safely secured, Florence Parpart changed the world of cooking, eating, and storing food with her 1914 invention of the electrical refrigerator. My milk and eggs thank you Flo!

Disposable Diapers: Parents after, let’s all collectively thank Marion Donovan for her 1949 creation of disposable diapers, and for not having to have gross matter floating around in our washing machines anymore.

Finally, but very importantly, women have heavily impacted the Medical World with the following innovation and inventions:

• Laserphaco Probe (1986): Dr. Patricia Bath, the first Black American woman to patent a medical device, invented this laser tool to treat cataracts.
• Modern Syringe (1899): Nurse Letitia Geer invented a one-handed syringe, improving sanitation and ease of use.
• APGAR Score (1952): Dr. Virginia Apgar developed this universally used 10-point method to assess the health of newborns.
• Nystatin (1950): Rachel Fuller Brown and Elizabeth Lee Hazen developed this first safe antifungal antibiotic.
• Radioimmunoassay (RIA) (1950s): Rosalyn Yalow developed this technique to measure substances like hormones and viruses in the blood.
• Stem Cell Isolation (1991): Dr. Ann Tsukamoto co-patented a process to isolate blood-forming stem cells, key to cancer research.
• Tuberculin Test (1930s): Dr. Florence Seibert developed a reliable skin test to detect tuberculosis.
• Artificial Mitral Valve (1960s): Dr. Nina Starr Braunwald designed and performed the first successful implant.
• CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing (2012): Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier developed this gene-editing technology, winning the Nobel Prize.
• HIV Mapping: Flossie Wong-Staal was the first to clone and map the genes of HIV.
• Drug Treatments: Gertrude Elion developed drugs for leukemia, AIDS, and organ rejection. 

These examples hardly scratch the surface when discussion historically essential inventions by women. Without women, innovation, progress, ingenuity is stunted. Fight for a woman’s seat at EVERY table, in EVERY decision, and EVERYWHERE.