Margaret Sanger "The Mother of the Birth Control Movement", oil on canvas

American Women leaders need to be acknowledged!

From our Founding Mothers to today's revolutionary leaders, this creative portrait project, which I started 6 years ago, honors America's determined, passionate visionaries.

The honorees include: Eleanor Roosevelt, Harriet Tubman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Amelia Earhart, Abigail Adams, Olivia de Havilland, Helen Coley Nauts, Margaret Sanger, Sonia Sotomayor, Melinda French Gates, Rosa Parks, Ida Tarbell, Lucretia Mott, Helen Keller, Mary McLeod Bethune, Frances Perkins, Ida B. Wells, Susan La Flesche Picotte, Madam Walker, Susan B. Anthony, Nellie Bly, Clara Barton, Dolores Huerta, Ida B. Wells, Rachel Carson, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Belva Lockwood, Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sarah Winnemucca, Dolly Parton, and Oprah Winfrey, Billy Jean King and more to come.

In researching the lives of these distinguished leaders, I have learned a great deal, but one thing was consistent: they never gave up and NEVER took no for an answer!

Each oil portrait will be carefully composed considering significant details, color, composition and the most relevant time in their lives to be captured on canvas.

This project has really become a daily passion for me. The more I learn about these special women, the more determined I am to make sure they are recognized through traditional oil portraiture.

I am also proud to acknowledge that my relative, Catharine "Caty" Littlefield is one of America's Founding Mothers and a co-inventor, with Eli Whitney, of the Cotton Gin. She married General Nathanael Greene in 1774. George and Martha Washington where very close friends and confidantes and attended their intimate wedding party.

In the past, I had the honor of being commissioned to paint Helen Coley Nauts, an advocate and visionary in the field of early Cancer Immunology and Gloria Steinem, a groundbreaking woman's rights advocate, Catherine Lorillard Wolfe, a major philanthropist and supporter of child welfare, and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor a champion of equal rights.

With the For the Common Good: A Tribute to American Women Leaders" Project, I will begin a series of oil on linen portraits which will average in size between 14 x 18 inches to 20 x 24 inches.

Eleanor Roosevelt oil on linen 20 x 16 *

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" Eleanor Roosevelt

"The First Lady of the World"

Eleanor Roosevelt: diplomat, humanitarian, activist and one of the most beloved and respected women of the 20th Century. She was a trail blazing and tireless First Lady. The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights was largely her creation.

*This portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt was featured in the popular Netfix series "The Diplomat."

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, oil on linen, 20 x 16

"I would like to be remembered as someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability." Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, "R.B.G" Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, a fierce and dedicated advocate for the advancement of gender equality and women's rights.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg has shaped the course of our nations' history through her convictions and voice for dissent. In 1993 she was the second woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Frances Perkins, oil on canvas, 20 x 16

"The Woman behind the New Deal"

Frances Perkins was FDR'S Secretary of Labor and the first woman to serve in U.S. Cabinet, as Cabinet Secretary. Frances was a strong and tireless advocate for social welfare and was the driving force behind the New Deal. A champion of American workers, she was a leader in creating: Social Security, Minimum wage, Unemployment insurance, the 40 hour work week, Child labor laws, Welfare and the protection of labor rights.

Frances realized the over whelming historic significance of being appointed the first woman Presidential Cabinet member and that it was her obligation to keep a seat at the table for all women coming behind her. Frances was the longest serving Labor Secretary in U.S, history and one of only two cabinet members to serve Roosevelt's entire 12 year term. Her efforts were so profound that in 1980 President Carter honored her by renaming the U.S. Department of Labor headquarters, The Francis Perkins Building.

Abigail Adams, oil on linen, after Gilbert Stuart

"Remember the Ladies"

As one of the Founding Mothers of our young nation, Abigail Adams was ahead of her time. She was an early advocate for Women's Rights, a Humanitarian, a powerful political figure and anti-slave proponent.

Margaret Sanger, oil on canvas, 20 x 16

"No woman shall call herself free who does not own and control her body. No woman can call herself free until she can choose conscientiously whether she will or will not be a mother." Margaret Sanger

Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the United States and founded Planned Parenthood. She was also involved with the development of the first birth control pill. Regarded as the founder and leader of the birth control movement, Margaret was a nurse, writer, sex educator and activist. Her accomplishments have forever changed today's women's lives and freedoms.

Sojourner Truth, oil on linen, 18 x 14

"Truth is powerful and will prevail" Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth was an influential black abolitionist and women's rights activist. A powerful public speaker, she is best known for her "Aint I a Women?" speech, which recognized how black women were excluded from cultural norms of equality and femininity, exposing racial and gender oppression. Born into slavery in New York in 1797, she endured horrible treatment and physical abuse. She finally escaped to freedom in 1826 and became an important leader in the fight against slavery in the 1800's.


Ida Tarbell, oil on linen, 20 x 16

"The Woman who took on Standard Oil"

Ida Tarbell was a pioneer of investigative journalism, a lecture and writer. She was fearless! One of the most famous "muckraking" journalists of the 19th Century. Her book "History of Standard Oil", published in 1904, was a landmark work of investigative "muckraking" journalism, which exposed Rockefeller's unfair business methods. The publication caused a public outcry and led the government to prosecute Standard Oil, eventually leading to the Supreme Court break-up of Standard Oil.

Ida B. Wells, oil on linen, 22 x 18

"Virtue knows no Color line"

"The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them" Ida B. Wells

Ida B. Wells was a civil rights activist, investigative journalist, lecturer and educator. Born into slavery, she lead an anti-lynching crusade in the 1890's. She was active in the founding of the National Association of Advancement of Colored people (NAACP) and founded the Negro Fellowship League.

Dolores Huerta, oil on linen, 18 x 14

Dolores Huerta, Civil Rights Leader

"Yes we can" are the most important words to Dolores Huerta. Inspired by her mother to become a feminist and a force for social justice, Dolores has devoted her life for workers equality. She co-founded, with Cesar Chavez, the United Farm Workers Association (UFW). She has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of farm workers thru organizing boycotts and legislation.

Susan B. Anthony 18 x 14 oil on linen

"Men their rights and nothing more; Women their rights and nothing less." Susan B. Anthony

Susan B. Anthony, Americas greatest woman suffragist, was a pioneer crusader for woman's rights and social reform. The 19th Amendment to the constitution, granting the rights for women to vote, became a reality mainly due to her tireless campaigning and efforts.

Lucretia Mott, oil on canvas, 20 x 16

"The world has never yet seen a truly great and virtuous nation, because in the degradation of women, the very fountains of life are poisoned at their source." Lucretia Mott

Lucretia Mott was an early American abolitionist, powerful lecturer, woman's rights activist, social reformer, author and a strong advocate against slavery. She was a courageous advocate of moral integrity, equality and justice.


Rosa Parks, oil on linen, 18 x 14

"If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything" Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks is considered the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement". Rosa Parks was an American civil rights activist whose refusal to give up her seat to a white person on a public bus precipitated the 1955-56 Montgomery Bus Boycott in Alabama. Her actions, on the bus, became the spark that ignited the civil rights movement in the United States.

Olivia de Havilland, oil on linen, 18 x 14

"One must take what comes with laughter" Olivia de Havilland

Olivia de Havilland, described as "Satin and Steel" was a 2 time Academy Award winner and the last major leading actress of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Olivia passed away in 2020 at 104 years old. But she was much more that a wonderful, beautiful and versatile actress...she was a fearless and tough. She took on the movie studios when they had complete control over their stars. Backed by the Screen Actors Guild, she took Warner Brothers to court in 1943 when they penalized her for turning down roles. The California Supreme Court ruled in her favor in what is now known as the De Havilland Law. All actors today are indebted to her efforts.

Harriet Tubman, oil on linen, 21 x 17

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer." Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman, the "Moses of her people" was an escaped slave, who was courageous and committed to helping other slaves regain their freedom as a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad. She was never caught and never lost any of her "passengers." Harriet was also a Union spy, scout, nurse, abolitionist and early supporter of women's suffrage. I chose to portray Harriet as a younger woman. People usually see an image of her as an old woman...she was only 5 feet tall, but, what that small mighty woman accomplished!

(My portrait of Harriet Tubman was featured in the Netfix series "The Diplomat).

Clara Barton, oil on linen, 20 x 16
"I may sometimes be willing to teach for nothing, but if paid at all, I shall never do a man's work for less than a man's pay." Clara Barton

Clara Barton, the "Angel of the battlefield," was the founder of the American Red Cross, teacher, self taught nurse, abolitionist, founder of the National First Aid Association of America and established one of the first free public schools in New Jersey. She was also, an ardent supporter of women's suffrage.

After the Civil war she established and ran the Office of Missing Soldiers, which she created to find and or identify soldiers killed or missing in action after the Civil War.

Amelia Earhart, oil on linen, 20 x 16

"Adventure is worthwhile in itself." Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart, who has not heard that name since a youth. Amelia personified the American free spirit who was ready to take on all challenges. She was the first Aviation pioneer, a women rights advocate and author. She set aviation record after record, among them the first trans-Atlantic solo flight by a woman, wrote bestselling books about her flying adventures and was responsible for the formation of "The Ninety-Nines" an organization for female pilots. She was also a world-famous celebrity that was friends with the most famous people of the era including Eleanor Roosevelt.

Nellie Bly, oil on linen, 18 x 14

"If you want to do it, you can do it" Nellie Bly

Nelli Bly, born Elizabeth Jane Cochran, and nicknamed "Pinkie" was a pioneer of investigative journalism. Her courage, determination and innovation was recognized world wide!

She risked her life to feign lunacy to bring the awareness to the cruelties of Insane Asylums. She went around the world faster than any person alive at that time, and she owned and operated a factory that was a model of social welfare for her workers. From her efforts she was able to bring women into the male dominated journalist arena.

She had steel blue eyes, was very direct and a very tough cookie!

Oprah Winfrey, oil on canvas, 20 x 16

"Create the highest, grandest vision possible in your life, because you become what you believe."Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey "The Queen of All Media" is a force to be reckoned with. From very humble beginnings she has built a world wide empire and has used her immense indomitable power and influence for philanthropic missions, including her "Oprah's Angel Network" and helping poor and disadvantaged youth.

Mercy Otis Warren, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 after John Singleton Copley

"The Rights of the Individual should be the primary objects of all Governments." Mercy Otis Warren

"The First Lady of the American Revolution"

Mercy Otis Warren was one of the most influential thinkers and writers during the Revolution, winning over many, through her writing, to the Patriot side. She was an American activist, playwright, and Political "Influencer" at a time when most women were limited in education, writing and political savvy. Considered a female genius of the age, her writings and intellectual influence helped in establishing the Bill of Rights. A Jeffersonian Republican, she was committed to her convictions throughout her long career.

Starting at a young age she was encouraged to develop her intellect by her father and eventually also with her husband.

See what women can do when given the opportunity!

Susan La Flesche Picotte, oil on linen, 18 x 14

"I shall always fight good and hard, even if I have to fight alone" Susan La Flesche Picotte

Susan La Flesche Picotte selflessly dedicated her short life for the betterment and health of her fellow Native Americans. She was the first Native American Doctor. Born in a Tipi, she graduated valedictorian and top of her class from Medical college. I choose to paint her as a younger woman while she was in Medical School and hopefully capture her passion and amazing spirit. In the background I painted and a Omaha Indian design to represent her tribe.

I will be adding more original oil portraits honoring American Women leaders in the near future.

To learn a bit more about creating these portraits check out my blog: Inside Scoop creating "My Ladies" For the Common Good: A Tribute to American Women Leaders

https://susandurkee.blogspot.com/2026/03/inside-scoop-creating-my-ladies-details.html

To learn more about Harriet Tubman and her oil portrait development, visit my blog page:

https://susandurkee.blogspot.com/2021/01/harriet-tubman-moses-of-her-people.html

To learn more about Eleanor Roosevelt and her oil portrait development, visit my blog page:

https://susandurkee.blogspot.com/2021/01/eleanor-roosevelt-most-beloved-woman-of.html

To learn more about Clara Barton and her oil portrait development, visit my blog page:

https://susandurkee.blogspot.com/2021/01/honoring-with-portraiture-clara-barton.html

To see more of my portraiture and larger versions of these portraits please visit my website: www.susandurkee.com

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and learn more about these exceptional women leaders!

* Portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt based on a reference photograph by Lotte Johanna Alexandra Jacobi circa 1944.

Eleanor Roosevelt's portrait along with the Harriet Tubman portrait was featured in the Netflix series, "The Diplomat".

Friday, February 20, 2026

For The Common Good: "A Tribute to American Women Leaders"