Poll: Five women with Louisiana ties are some of the most iconic in US history

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — A new poll showing the 200 most beloved heroines in the United States names five women with ties to Louisiana’s history.

A poll by Somewang had 3,000 respondents and focused on women who broke barriers and fought for equality.

According to the poll, the top three heroines in the U.S. are Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman and Abagail Adams.

Five women with Louisiana ties were named in the Top 200. These women include Mahalia Jackson, Clementine Hunter, Kate Chopin, Marie Laveau and Lillian Hellman.

Here’s what to know about these five women who made an impact in Louisiana and women’s history.

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Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972) ranked at No. 13.

New Orleans native Mahlia Jackson became an international star and was named the “Queen of Gospel.” Jackson was active in the civil rights movement, even singing at the March on Washington before Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, according to Britannica.

Clementine Hunter (1886-1988) ranked at No. 29.

Clementine Hunter is known for her paintings showing life on a plantation near Natchitoches. She didn’t start painting until the 1940s and her work didn’t get public attention until the 1970s, according to the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

Kate Chopin (1850-1904) ranked at No. 94.

Kate Chopin is described by the Kate Chopin International Society as an American writer known for her stories about sensitive and daring women. She’s most well known for her novel “The Awakening,” which was “widely condemned,” according to the website.

Marie Laveau (1801-1881) ranked at No. 97.

Marie Laveau was a Voodoo Queen in New Orleans who dominated the culture in her lifetime, according to Britannica. The online biography said, “People sought her advice for marital affairs, domestic disputes, judicial issues, childbearing, finances, health, and good luck.”

Lillian Hellman (1905-1984) ranked at No. 147.

Lillian Hellman was a playwright from New Orleans who began writing plays in the 1930s. Her most well-known works are “The Children’s Hour” and “The Little Foxes,” described as dramas exposing various forms of evil.

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