National Women Inventors Month
Trailblazing women defy conventions, shaping innovations that redefine possibilities, steering the course of progress with brilliance.
Celebrate women innovators in February by showcasing female-led breakthroughs and inspiring the next generation of women in STEM through educational partnerships and thought leadership content.
- Spotlight: Women inventors who changed the world—from Hannah Slater to modern-day innovators
- Host a virtual panel or webinar featuring women in your industry sharing their invention journey
- Create a 'Women Inventors' educational resource guide for schools and universities
- Behind-the-scenes stories of female patent holders and their path to recognition
While women have often made a huge difference with their inventions, it wasn’t until the late 1700s that women in the United States were allowed to own property, manage their personal assets – or own patents for their inventions. This meant that many women were forced to patent their inventions under the names of their husbands or fathers.
In 1793, Hannah Slater developed a new process to spin cotton thread and she received the patent in the name of Mrs. Samuel Slater, acknowledging her as “Mrs.” but still omitting her first name. Then, in 1809, Mary Dixon Kies was the first woman to be awarded a patent in her own full name, responsible for a new process of weaving straw with silk for hat-making.
Many women inventors, whether famous or not very well-known, have made an enormous impact on the way the world works. And while women continue to be underrepresented in the STEM fields, all of these important women deserve to be honored during National Women Inventors Month!
Visit the National Inventors Hall of Fame
Get more exposed to women inventors by checking out the website for the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) which offers insight and bios. Those who are up for a trip to Washington, DC might want to visit the museum, which is called the National Monument to Innovation, located at the US Patent and Trademark Office. It’s a great place to discover the work of various inventors up close, with a kid-friendly learning experience. Plus, admission is always free!