MAY 26: TODAY'S INSPIRING WOMEN

Helen Kanahele

Helen Kanahele, a labor organizer in Hawaii, was born today in 1916. She worked with the Women’s Auxiliary of the International Longshoreman’s and Warehousemen’s Union (1949-51) and the United Public Workers union.

Thelma Hill

Thelma Hill, a dancer, choreographer, educator, co-founder of the New York Negro Ballet Company (1954), was born today in 1924. She was one of the founders of the dance troupe that became the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Sally Ride

Sally Ride, the first American woman astronaut, was born today in 1951.

Today in 1936, MacNolia Cox, a 13-year-old girl from Akron, and Elizabeth Kenny, a 15-year-old from Plainfield, New Jersey, were the first African-American children to compete as finalists in the National Spelling Bee—and Cox made it to the final five.

Deeper Dive

As a young child growing up in New York City, Thelma Hill's first dance training was in tap dance. Learn more about her life.