Go-Getters: Hetty Green

Hetty Green (1834-1916), known as the "Witch of Wall Street," was one of the wealthiest financiers of the 19th century. Famous for her extreme frugality, she built an enormous fortune by making investments in real estate, railroads, and bonds, often capitalizing on others’ financial missteps. She d…

Go-Getters: Helena Rubinstein

Helena Rubinstein (1872-1965) was a Polish-American businesswoman, art collector, and philanthropist. She was the founder of Helena Rubinstein Incorporated cosmetics company, which made her one of the world’s richest women. For Further Reading: Helena Rubinstein The Color of Money How One Wo…

Go-Getters: Nell Gwyn

Eleanor (Nell) Gwyn (c. 1650-1687) was an English actress and mistress of Charles II. Touted as a celebrity figure of the Restoration Period, she was praised for her beauty, recklessness, wit, and generosity. Nell is considered a folk heroine whose story mirrors the rags-to-riches story of Cinderel…

Go-Getters: Julia Felix

Julia Felix was a prominent businesswoman in Pompeii. She owned the House of Julia Felix, a collection of gardens, baths, and shops, from 62-79 AD. Historical records suggest that she was a very savvy business owner and well-respected by her community for her work. For Further Reading: The House…

Go-Getters: Augusta Savage

Augusta Savage (1892-1962) was a Black American sculptor during  the Harlem Renaissance. She was commissioned to create busts of W.E.B Dubois, Marcus Garvey, and a pinnacle piece in the 1939 World’s Fair. Although talented and well known, she was poor and unable to preserve her pieces, many of whic…

Go-Getters: Margaret Hardenbroeck

Margaret Hardenbroeck (c. 1630-1690) was a Dutch-born trader and enslaver in the colony of New Amsterdam, later New York. Known as a “she-trader,” Margaret was one of the few women in the shipping business at the time, and along with second husband grew a successful trading empire, that traded in e…

Go-Getters: Mariam-uz-Zamani

Mariam-uz-Zamani (1542-1623) was born a Hindu-Rajput princess before marrying Akbar, the third Muslim emperor of the Mughal Empire, for political alliance. In her 43 years as empress, she became an influential maritime trader using her ship, the Rahimi, one of the largest ships to sail the Indian s…

Go-Getters: Peggy Hopkins Joyce

Peggy Hopkins Joyce (1893-1957) was an American actress, model and socialite known for her multiple marriages to millionaires.  For Further Reading:  The Iron Forger and the Gold Digger The Legend of Peggy Hopkins Joyce: She Collected Men, Chinchilla, Diamonds Peggy Hopkins Joyce Dies at 63;…

Go-Getters: Shade Thomas-Fahm

Shade Thomas-Fahm (b. 1933) is a pioneering Nigerian fashion designer who launched the nation’s first high-end boutique selling locally-made ready-to-wear clothing in the 1960s. Her work catered traditional Nigerian textiles and styles to the lives of cosmopolitan working women.  For Further Readi…

Go-Getters: Julia de Burgos

Julia de Burgos (1914-1953) was a celebrated Puerto Rican poet, feminist, and activist. She was known for her powerful, introspective writing on themes of identity, colonialism, and social justice. Her work highlighted the struggles of Puerto Rican women and the island's complex history. Her poetry…