Nellie Bly
The Fearless Journalist
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Elizabeth Cochran
Lucy
Australopithecus afarensis
Lucy was discovered in Ethiopia in 1974 by paleoanthropologist Dr. Donald Johanson. At the time, Lucy was not only the earliest human ancestor, but the most complete human ancestor. She was dated to have lived roughly 3.2 million years ago, standing at 3 1/2 feet tall.
Lucy's discovery was significant in the world of anthropology, showing evidence that human life evolved out of Africa. Lucy was also significant because she showed that early hominins walked on two feet.
The remains of Lucy were initially brought to the United States, housed at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, where Dr. Johanson worked. She has since been returned home to Ethiopia where she currently resides at the National Museum in Addis Ababa.
Dr. Johanson's anthropological team named her after the Beatles song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", which they were listening to in their celebration after discovery. But this is not her only name. In Ethiopia, she is called Dinknesh, which translates to "you are marvelous."
Lucy goes to show that women have been changing the game of history not only currently, but for millions of years.
-February 2025
Photo credits: Cleveland Museum of Natural History
