Oveta Culp Hobby

Oveta was "doing her thing" before "doing her thing" was even a thing. Never finished college, lost her run for Texas Legislature — didn't sweat it. She ran The Post Newspaper in Houston as editor and acting VP, published a book, and laid the groundwork for women serving their country in wartime. Then she directed the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps and became a colonel who served through the entire war.

When the war ended, she could have put her feet up. Instead she said "hold my wine, I'm not finished" — helped Eisenhower's campaign, became Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, and helped distribute the first polio vaccine.