American Female Sociologists

Vote for Your Favourite American Female Sociologists

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Charlotte Perkins Gilman
8
Birthdate: July 3, 1860
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut
Died: August 17, 1935

Charlotte Perkins Gilman was an American novelist, humanist, poet, and short-story writer. Best remembered as a utopian feminist, Gilman served as an inspiration for several generations of feminists. A National Women's Hall of Fame inductee, Charlotte Perkins Gilman is also remembered for her semi-autobiographical work, The Yellow Wallpaper.

 2 
Alva Belmont
(socialite)
Alva Belmont
5
Birthdate: January 17, 1853
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Mobile, Alabama, United States
Died: January 26, 1933

Alva Belmont was an American socialite who played a major role in the women's suffrage movement in the United States of America. Remembered for her intelligence, energy, and strong opinions, Belmont is credited with founding the Political Equality League which aimed at promoting suffrage-supporting politicians. Alva Belmont is also credited with co-founding the National Woman's Party in 1916.

 3 
Patricia Hill Collins
(American Philosopher, Sociologist and University teacher)
Patricia Hill Collins
5
Birthdate: May 1, 1948
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
 4 
Carol Gilligan
(Psychologist, Philosopher, Non-fiction writer, Sociologist, Feminist)
Carol Gilligan
7
Birthdate: November 28, 1936
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New York City

Carol Gilligan is an American psychologist, ethicist, and feminist. She is renowned for her work on ethical relationships and ethical community. She also serves as a professor of Applied Psychology and Humanities at New York University. Considered the chief architect of the ethics of care, Gilligan was named in the 25 most influential people list by Time magazine in 1996.

 5 
Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick
(Academic Scholar)
Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick
5
Birthdate: May 2, 1950
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
Died: April 12, 2009
 6 
Saskia Sassen
(Sociologist)
Saskia Sassen
7
Birthdate: January 5, 1947
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: The Hague, Netherlands

Apart from teaching sociology at Columbia University and LSE, sociologist Saskia Sassen has also devoted over 3 decades of her life to research. She introduced the term global city. The daughter of a Dutch Nazi journalist, she grew up in Argentina and Italy, before studying in France.

 7 
Alexis Herman
(Politician, Sociologist)
Alexis Herman
2
Birthdate: July 16, 1947
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Mobile
 8 
Theda Skocpol
(Historian, Political scientist, Sociology, University teacher)
Theda Skocpol
4
Birthdate: May 4, 1947
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Detroit
 9 
Nancy Chodorow
(Psychologist, Writer, Sociologist)
Nancy Chodorow
2
Birthdate: January 20, 1944
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: New York City
 10 
Emily Greene Balch
(Central Leader of the 'Women's International League for Peace and Freedom' and Winner of 1946 Nobel Peace Prize)
Emily Greene Balch
1
Birthdate: January 8, 1867
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Boston
Died: January 9, 1961

Emily Greene Balch was an American sociologist, economist, and pacifist. She is best remembered for her work to deal with social issues like child labor, poverty, and immigration. She also worked towards reducing juvenile delinquency and uplifting poor immigrants. In 1946, Emily Greene Balch was honored with the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.

 11 
Ellen Gates Starr
(American Social Reformer and Activist)
Ellen Gates Starr
3
Birthdate: March 19, 1859
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Laona Township, Illinois, United States
Died: February 10, 1940

Ellen Gates Starr is best remembered for co-establishing the Hull House social settlement in Chicago along with activist Jane Addams. Initially an art student, she later dedicated her life for the betterment of immigrant factory workers and reformation for child labor laws. She later retired to a Roman Catholic convent.

 12 
Elsie Clews Parsons
(Anthropologist)
Elsie Clews Parsons
1
Birthdate: November 27, 1875
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New York City, New York
Died: December 19, 1941
 13 
Jessie Bernard
(Sociologist)
Jessie Bernard
1
Birthdate: June 8, 1903
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Died: October 6, 1996
 14 
Alice S. Rossi
(Sociologist)
Alice S. Rossi
0
Birthdate: September 24, 1922
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: November 3, 2009
 15 
Helen Lynd
(Sociologist)
Helen Lynd
0
Birthdate: March 17, 1896
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: La Grange, Illinois, United States
Died: January 30, 1982
 16 
Elaine Brody
(Sociologist)
Elaine Brody
0
Birthdate: December 4, 1922
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: July 9, 2014
 17 
Irene Barnes Taeuber
(Demographer)
Irene Barnes Taeuber
0
Birthdate: December 25, 1906
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Meadville, Missouri, United States
Died: February 24, 1974