Founder and CEO Shawna Page created femMED when she found that searching the aisles on her own for the right products was frustrating and confusing. Out of that frustration, femMED, the first user-friendly, brand of comprehensive supplements designed specifically for women was born. Today femMED celebrates International Women’s Day and those women who through hard work and tenacity, made it possible to for a woman to follow her dreams.
International Women’s Day (originally called International Working Women’s Day)was first observed on February 28 in 1909. Its focus varied from a general appreciation and love for womankind (as celebrated on Mothers’ Day or Valentine’s Day) to acknowledging the economic, political and social achievements and milestones of women in society. Today, 104 years later, International Women’s Day is still celebrated around the world.
In celebration of IWD, we have chosen a few of the top contributions by women.
- Radioactivity
Marie Curie was a physicist and chemist best known for her work on radioactivity; She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the only woman to win in two fields, and the only person to win in multiple sciences. It appeared that she died for her work. Marie Curie died from aplastic anemia, which is caused from long-term exposure to radiation. - Windshield Wiper
As Canadians, we appreciate this one a lot, and have Mary Anderson to thank for inventing the windshield wiper in 1903. Imagine the perils of driving in the rain, sleet or snow without this invention? - Disposable Diaper
Entrepreneur Marion Donovan created the alternative to cloth diapers with her invention of the disposable diaper in 1946. Although some moms and dads have reverted to cloth diapers for either environmental or personal preferences, parents the world over owe Marion a debt of gratitude. - Dishwasher
Josephine Cochrane did more for the hands of women around the world than Vaseline with her invention of the first mechanical dishwasher in 1886. - Barbie doll
Ruth Handler, in 1959 created the first Barbie. Handler first suggested the idea to her husband Elliot, a co-founder of Mattel Toy Company who was unenthusiastic about the idea. Ruth persevered and the first Barbie made its debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959. The doll was named after Handler’s daughter Barbara . It is estimated that over a billion Barbie dolls have been sold worldwide in over 150 countries, with Mattel claiming that three Barbie dolls are sold every second. - The brassiere (aka the bra)
Mary Phelps Jacob forever earned the respect and adoration of women when she invented the bra. Women of all shapes and sizes have embraced this invention, yet according to research from 2008, 75–85% of women wear a bra of an incorrect size.
These are just a few of the contributions that women have made to the world at large. Women continue to make their mark in the areas of health, business, and industry today.
