29 Inspiring Working Moms Through History Who Share Your February Birthday
Happy February birthday to you!
(And if you missed January’s birthday post, it’s right here!)
Shared birthdays have always fascinated me. When reading a biography, I pause for a moment when the author mentions the subject’s birthday wondering if I know anyone else born on that day. I try to draw connections between the people and think about them making wishes on their shared personal holidays, blowing out the candles perhaps decades or thousands of miles apart.
I don’t think I’m alone in this birthday buddy fascination either because the Ty company did VERY well with Beanie Babies. People love birthdays.
HAPPY FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY, MOMS!
I share a birthday with civil rights activist and mom of six, Ida B. Wells, and I enjoyed learning more about her life and our mutual love of the written word. After uncovering this working mom connection, I thought it would be fun to dive a little deeper.
Who shares your birthday? Is there a famous hard-working mom out there you might find a connection to based on the day you both popped out into the world? Maybe you are both nurses or business leaders. Maybe you both love jazz music or each have four kids.
So let’s find out! We’ve covered January, now onto February!
Find your mom February birthday buddy below and let me know if making a wish on the same day is a straightforward as that, or if there is something more between you and your match. In this busy doing one million things world, it’s nice to take a pause and focus on yourself once in a while. Celebrate you, make new connections, and eat some birthday cake!
Definitely eat the cake.
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
February 1
Hattie Wyatt Caraway – US Senator and mother of three. Hattie served in the US Senate for 14 years in the 1930s and 40s. She was the second female senator in history and held the record of firsts in many other capacities including first woman senator to chair a Senate committee.
February 2
Charlotte Auerbach – Scientist and mother of two. Charlotte’s research in the 1930s and 40s contributed to the founding of mutagenesis (genetic mutation.) She also adopted two children, one who had fled Germany during WWII and another through the Save the Children Fund.
February 3
Isla Fisher – Actress and mother of three. Isla has rocked the big screen in romantic comedies like Wedding Crasher and Definitely, Maybe. Her “I’ll find you!” stage five clinger scene in Wedding Crashers is brilliant, as is her entire hilarious performance. But did you know she also wrote two bestselling novels? Seduced By Fame and Bewitched.
February 4
Betty Friedan – Author and mother of two. Betty penned The Feminine Mystique in 1963 which encouraged mothers to seek career opportunities for themselves. She also co-founded the National Organization for Women encouraging women to have a greater role in politics. Working moms everywhere tip a hat to Betty!
February 5
Ruth Fertel – Founder of Ruth’s Chris Steak House and mother of two. Ruth was a single mother and she purchased her first restaurant (previously owned by Chris Matulich, hence Ruth’s Chris) by mortgaging her house in order to earn money for her sons to go to college. She grew her one restaurant into a thriving business with a chain of over 42 Ruth’s Chris Steakhouses across the country before selling her company.
February 6
Mary Leakey – Paleoanthropologist and mother of three. Mary discovered the first fossilized Proconsul skull, which was later found to be an ancestor to humans. She also discovered the Zinjanthropus skull and fifteen new species of animals. Needless to say, Mary rocked.
February 7
Cynthia “Sippy” Woodhead – Olympic swimmer and mother of two. In 1978 Sippy crushed the competition at the World Championships in Berlin, taking home three gold medals and two silver medals at age 14. She later earned a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics. Now her kids are swimmers and she’s happily cheering them on in her Tommy Bahama chair.
February 8
Bethany Hamilton – Professional surfer and mom of two. Bethany famously survived a shark attack in which she lost her arm, and then returned to surfing. Like. A. Boss. She wrote a book called Soul Surfer that was later turned into a movie.
February 9
Carole King – Singer-songwriter and mother of four. Where to even begin with Carole King’s musical accomplishments? She wrote 118 songs that made it onto the Billboard 100, she’s won four Grammys, and she’s in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “Where You Lead,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “It’s Too Late,” the hits kept on coming! Musical genius!
February 10
Elizabeth Banks – Actress, director and mother of two. Fans will know Elizabeth from her roles in Wet Hot American Summer, 30 Rock, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, The Lego Movie, and my personal favorite Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games. No one could have Effied like Elizabeth Effied!
February 11
Helene Kröller-Müller – Art collector, philanthropist and mother of four. Helene donated her art collection, which included over 90 van Gogh paintings, to the Dutch people and founded the Kröller-Müller Museum. She is credited as being one of the first collectors to recognize how incredibly van Gogh’s works were, making the rest of the world take notice!
February 12
Chynna Phillips – Singer, actress, and mother of three. Before you say “I don’t think I know her…” Hold on! No seriously, “Hold On.” You totally know Chynna Phillips as a member of the band Wilson Phillips. Thank you, Chynna, for the gift that keeps on giving.
February 13
Denise Austin – Fitness instructor, author, and mother of two. Who among us hasn’t done a Denise Austin 30-minute workout video in their living room? Denise ruled the fitness world in the 2000s and served as a member of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
February 14
Florence Henderson: Actress and mother of four. Florence is best known for playing Carol in The Brady Bunch in the late 1960s and into the 1970s. You need to check out her Wikipedia page though for her other credits, ranging from Broadway to cooking shows to WWE. Yes, Carol Brady hosted WWE Raw. Awesome.
February 15
Jane Seymour: Actress and mother of four. If you grew up in the 90s then you would know Jane Seymour as Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. But she and Isla Fisher have more in common than a February birthday, they were both amazing in Wedding Crashers. She didn’t win an award for that one, sadly, but she does have an Emmy, two Golden Globes, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
February 16
Trina Jackson: Olympic gold medalist swimmer and mother of two. Trina and her teammates set an Olympic record in the 4 X 200 relay, and took home the gold in the 1996 Olympics. Now she’s a spin instructor, and I sincerely hope she brings her gold medal with her because I would bring that thing EVERYWHERE.
February 17
Margaret Truman: Radio personality, writer, and mother of four. Margaret started her career singing in symphonies across the country before starring on NBC Radio’s Weekday with Mike Wallace. She later went on to write an acclaimed biography of her dad (oh yeah, by the way, her dad was President) as well as dozens of murder mystery books.
February 18
Toni Morrison: Writer and mother of two. Ready for a seriously impressive list of awards? Toni was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Humanities Medal, the Nobel Prize in Literature, and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. So, basically ALL of the writerly achievements. Her first novel, The Bluest Eyes, she wrote by getting up at 4 AM while raising two kids. That’s “writing at the edges of the day.”
February 19
Hana Mandlíková: Professional tennis player and mother of two. Hana won four Grand Slam titles in the 1980s. She later went on to coach the Czech Republic’s Olympic team, and she’s in the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Game, set, match!
February 20
Cindy Crawford: Model and mother of two. In the 80s and 90s, Cindy modeled ALL the things. She was everywhere! Early in her career her trademark mole was photoshopped out from pictures, which was clearly a big mistake. Huge! She continues to act as a spokesperson for brands and is active with several nonprofits including the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
February 21
Nina Simone: Singer-songwriter, activist, and mother of one. Nina’s musical career spanned four decades and she was often referred to as the “High Priestess of Soul.” Two of her most well-known hits were “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” and “I Put A Spell On You.” Her songs also addressed racial inequality and she was heavily involved in civil rights activism.
February 22
Drew Barrymore: Actress, producer, and mother of two. From the time ET phoned home to the time everyone got on the Santa Clarita Diet, Drew has been there. She’s starred in way too many movies to name here but some of my favorites are Never Been Kissed, 50 First Dates, and The Wedding Singer. She also created a production company, Flower Films, and has her own line of wine and clothing. You go, Drew!
February 23
Emma Willard – Women’s Rights Activist and mother of five. Emma paid no heed to the restrictions placed on women’s education in the 1800s. In fact, she became so advanced due to the educational opportunities her family provided at home that after entering school for the first time at 15, she started teaching at the same school at 17. In 1821, she founded the Troy Female Seminary (now the Emma Willard School), the first higher education institution for women.
February 24
Barbara Lawrence – Actress and mother of four. Barbara starred in numerous classic films in the 1950s before later retiring and opening her own real estate firm. If you’re a February birthday baby too, go find Barbara Lawrence’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
February 25
Sally Jessy Raphael – Talk Show Host and mother of three. Sure, the Sally Jessy Raphael show was tabloidy and drama-filled as all get-up, but it was also a gigantic success and ran for 18 years. She crafted a show unlike any others on the air before and worked her way onto the list of 25 Greatest Television Talk Show Hosts in a time before many women were doing so. Go, Sally!
February 26
Leela Majumdar – Writer and mother of two. Leela wrote over 125 books over her life and career in Bengal and India. That’s a ton of words, y’all! She’s most well known for her children’s books but she also wrote cookbooks and novels and lectured on literature.
February 27
Sara Blakley – Founder of Spanx, philanthropist, and mother of four. You know her for making your dresses look awesome, but you’ll love her for her work helping women through education and entrepreneurial training. I’ll be slipping on my Spanx in honor of your February birthday, Sara!
February 28
Ali Larter – Actress and mother of two. Best known for her work in Heroes, Ali Larter has a slew of other credits to her name as an actress and model. And in 2013, she published a cookbook!
February 29
Augusta Savage – Sculptor and mother of one. Throughout the early to mid-1900s, Augusta Savage crafted stunning works of art including one bust on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. She faced discrimination throughout her life and spoke out against racism and stereotypes.
(Special shoutout to Augusta and all of the leap year February birthday girls!)
Happy February Birthday to you, mamas!
Read More Birthday Posts:
31 Inspiring Moms Who Share Your January Birthday
