Women’s HerStory Month

Honoring Influential American Jewish Women Who Shaped Our World

At the Merage JCC, we believe community is built by the stories we share and the values we pass down from generation to generation. Throughout the year, our programs in arts, culture, education, wellness, and leadership create spaces where women and girls can explore their identities, discover their voices, and grow as leaders.

Whether it’s a young performer stepping onto the stage for the first time, a teen finding confidence in leadership programs, a woman connecting through lifelong learning, or families gathering for cultural celebrations, the JCC is a place where Jewish stories and Jewish leadership  continue to evolve.

Women’s HerStory Month offers a powerful opportunity to pause and recognize the remarkable contributions of Jewish women whose courage, creativity, and vision have helped shape American life.

In Jewish tradition, we often speak about l’dor v’dor — from generation to generation. The story of the American Jewish experience has been profoundly shaped by women who led movements, challenged injustice, created art, built institutions, advanced science, built companies, strengthened democracy, and deepened Jewish life.

This month, we honor just a few of the remarkable American Jewish women whose courage and conviction continue to inspire us.

Justice & Civil Rights

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020) 

A trailblazer for gender equality and the second woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Ginsburg’s legal advocacy transformed American law and expanded rights for women and marginalized communities. Her Jewish values of justice (tzedek) and repairing the world (tikkun olam) deeply informed her life’s work.

Bella Abzug (1920–1998)

A bold U.S. Congresswoman and activist, Abzug was a champion for women’s rights, civil rights, and peace. Known for her fierce advocacy and unmistakable presence, she demonstrated that Jewish women belong not only at the table, but at the microphone, shaping policy and public life.

Arts, Culture & Storytelling

 Barbra Streisand (b. 1942)

An award-winning singer, actress, and filmmaker, Streisand broke barriers in entertainment while proudly embracing her Jewish identity and creative power.

Nora Ephron (1941–2012)

Writer and director of beloved films, Ephron shaped modern romantic comedy with wit, intelligence, and heart — redefining how women’s voices could lead both on and off screen.

Science, Innovation, Leadership & Tech

Rosalyn Yalow (1921–2011)

A Nobel Prize–winning physicist, Yalow made groundbreaking advances in medical research, paving the way for improved diagnostics and saving countless lives.

Gertrude B. Elion (1918–1999)

A Nobel laureate whose pharmaceutical discoveries led to life-saving treatments for leukemia and other diseases, Elion exemplified perseverance in fields where women were rarely welcomed.

Madeleine Albright (1937–2022)

The first woman U.S. Secretary of State, Albright was a powerful voice in global diplomacy and international leadership.

Yael Aflalo

Founder of sustainable fashion brand Reformation, Aflalo built a values-driven company centered on environmental responsibility and ethical production. Her work reflects the Jewish value of stewardship of the earth and shows how business can be both profitable and principled.

Allison Pickens

A tech executive and entrepreneur, Pickens speaks openly about leadership, resilience, and mental health in high-performance industries. She represents a generation of women reshaping tech culture with transparency and integrity.

 The Next Generation: Gen Z Voices & Emerging Leaders

Aly Raisman (b. 1994)

An Olympic gold medalist and advocate for survivors of abuse, Raisman has used her platform to promote accountability, safety, and dignity in sports and beyond.

Natalie Portman (b. 1981)

An Academy Award–winning actress and activist, Portman has spoken about gender equity and proudly embraces her Jewish identity in global spaces.

But HerStory is not only written by household names.

Across college campuses, startups, social platforms, and community organizations, young Jewish women are:

• Leading student government and Jewish campus life
• Speaking out against antisemitism and hate
• Launching nonprofits and digital advocacy initiatives
• Building tech startups rooted in purpose
• Using social media to educate and connect
• Reimagining Jewish leadership for a new generation

They are navigating complex conversations about identity, justice, and belonging — and doing so with courage, nuance, and conviction.

Jewish women have often lived at the intersection of identities; navigating both antisemitism and sexism; and yet they have shaped American life in transformative ways.

Their stories remind us:

• Leadership can be principled and bold.
• Creativity can be sacred.
• Innovation can be ethical.
• Advocacy can be rooted in faith.
• Identity can be a source of strength.

At the JCC, we are proud to continue nurturing the next generation of girls and women; leaders, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, athletes, and changemakers; who will carry our values forward.

Because Women’s HerStory Month is not only about remembering the past.

It is about recognizing the women shaping our present; and empowering those who will define our future.

HerStory is still being written.

To learn more about the Merage JCC, visit us here!