18 honors throughout history that only one woman has achieved

Talia LakritzNov 25, 2020, 03:06 IST

From left to right: White House executive pastry chef Susan Morrison, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, and performer Barbra Streisand.Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP, Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images, Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File

There are still honors, titles, and leadership positions that only one woman in history has achieved.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be the first woman to serve as vice president beginning January 20, 2021.
There has only been one female Speaker of the House, Oscar-winning best director, four-star admiral, and White House executive pastry chef, among others.

There are many important jobs that women have never held. Even when the glass ceiling is shattered and a woman reaches new, historic heights, it can take years before others follow.

In fields such as public service, entertainment, sports, and business, many of the highest honors have only been achieved by one woman.

Here are 18 leadership positions, titles, and awards that only one woman in history has held.

Kamala Harris will be the first woman to serve as vice president of the United States come January 20.

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris delivers her victory speech on November 7, 2020. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

If confirmed by the Senate, economist Janet Yellen will be the first woman to head the Treasury Department since it was founded in 1789.

Former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Nancy Pelosi was sworn in as Speaker of the House in 2007 and again in 2019 — the only woman to ever hold the position.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks during news conference at the Capitol. Joshua Roberts/Reuters

Carla Hayden is the first woman and first African American to serve as Librarian of Congress.

Carla Hayden makes remarks after taking the Oath of Office in 2016. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

Hillary Clinton became the first presidential nominee backed by a major US political party.

Hillary Clinton at a campaign event in Washington, DC. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

Susan Morrison is the first woman to serve as the White House executive pastry chef.

Morrison shows a dessert in the State Dining Room at the White House in 2016. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Michelle Howard is the first woman to become a four-star admiral in the history of the Navy.

Admiral Michelle Howard at her promotion ceremony in 2014. Chief Mass Communication Specialist Peter D. Lawlor/US Navy photo/Handout via Reuters

Megan Brennan was the 74th Postmaster General of the US Postal Service. She was also the first woman to hold the position.

Postmaster General Megan Brennan in Washington. Evan Vucci, File/AP

Barbra Streisand is the only woman to win a Golden Globe for best director.

Barbra Streisand performs at the Barclays Center in 2018. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File

Kathryn Bigelow made history when she won best director at the 82nd Academy Awards in 2010, and no other women have won since.

Kathryn Bigelow accepts her Oscar in 2010. Getty Images

The Oscars had a female orchestra conductor for the first time in 2020: Irish conductor and composer Eímear Noone.

Eimear Noone in the orchestra pit at the 2020 Oscars. Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Mary Edwards Walker received a Medal of Honor, the only woman out of more than 3,500 recipients.

Mary Edwards Walker. National Institutes of Health

Marie Curie is the only woman to have won a Nobel Prize twice.

Scientist Marie Curie works in a laboratory. AP Photo

Astronaut Peggy Whitson is the first and only woman to ever command the International Space Station twice.

NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson shortly before she launched to the International Space Station in October 2016. Bill Ingalls/NASA (via AP)

Stacey Cunningham became the first female president of the New York Stock Exchange in 2018.

Stacey Cunningham on the floor of the NYSE. Brendan McDermid/Reuters

Virginia "Ginni" Rometty is the only female CEO of IBM in its 108-year history.

Ginni Rometty. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

Katie Sowers made history this year as the first female and first openly gay coach at a Super Bowl game.

San Francisco 49ers offensive assistant coach Katie Sowers. Steve Luciano/AP

Alyssa Nakken is the first female coach in Major League Baseball history.

San Francisco Giants coach Alyssa Nakken poses at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Jeff Chiu/AP

A husband and wife in the Hudson Valley convert vintage Airstreams into tiny homes that they sell for $100,000 and name after famous women

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