As someone who works in holistic health, fascia release, essential oils, and nervous system support, I am deeply aware that women have long been at the forefront of healing — often before institutions recognized their contributions.
Historically, women were midwives, herbalists, caregivers, and intuitive healers. Much of what we now call “functional medicine” was once simply traditional wisdom passed down in kitchens and gardens.
In honor of Women’s History Month, I’d like to give a little nod to a few women whose work profoundly shaped modern wellness. While this list could be much longer, these remarkable women represent just a small glimpse of the many female pioneers who have influenced how we care for our bodies and minds.
Clara Barton | Red Cross Clara Barton transformed emergency medical care during times of crisis. Known as the “Angel of the Battlefield,” she provided supplies and nursing care to wounded soldiers during the American Civil War. Her experiences inspired her to establish the American Red Cross in 1881, bringing organized disaster relief and medical response to communities in need.
Jane Fonda | Fitness
Jane Fonda revolutionized the fitness industry in the 1980s with her best-selling workout videos and books. Her program, including the iconic Jane Fonda's Workout (1982), helped make regular exercise accessible to millions of women and normalized strength and aerobic training as part of daily health routines. She also advocated for body awareness, healthy aging, and lifelong movement.
Arianna Huffington | Sleep & Recovery After collapsing from burnout in 2007, Arianna Huffington became a leading voice on the importance of sleep, stress management, and workplace wellness. Through Thrive Global, she advocates for reducing burnout and promoting mental well-being, mindfulness, and sustainable productivity. Her work helped bring sleep and recovery into mainstream health conversations.
Ida Rolf | Fascia Dr. Ida Rolf was a biochemist who developed a system of bodywork designed to realign the body’s connective tissue and improve posture, movement, and physical function (AKA Rolfing). Her work emphasized the relationship between body structure and overall health, influencing modern manual therapy, fascia research (before it became a buzzword), and movement practices. Her work transformed bodywork by recognizing that connective tissue influences posture, pain, and emotional holding patterns.
Emily Wright | Essential Oils Emily Wright is the co-founder and president of doTERRA. She has played a key role in expanding the global use of essential oils for wellness and self-care. She helped pioneer doTERRA’s Co-Impact Sourcing® model, which ethically partners with growers around the world while ensuring high-quality essential oils. Her work has helped bring natural solutions and essential oil education to millions of households.
See Emily's
top 5 must-have doTERRA products.
Dr. Susanna Søberg | Temperature Exposure
Dr. Susanna Søberg is a Danish scientist known for studying how cold water exposure and sauna use impact metabolism, brown fat activation, and resilience. Her research led to what many call the “Søberg Principle,” suggesting optimal weekly exposure to heat and cold to support metabolic and cardiovascular health. Her work has helped bring scientific attention to contrast therapy and thermal stress for wellness.
Connie Zack | Infrared
Connie Zack has helped advance awareness of the benefits of infrared sauna therapy for detoxification, recovery, relaxation, and cardiovascular health. Through Sunlighten, she has supported research into infrared technology and brought sauna wellness into homes, spas, and wellness centers worldwide.
Women have led the conversations around:
- Trauma-informed care
- Hormone literacy
- Botanical medicine
- Emotional resilience
- Integrative nutrition
And what I love most is that their approach mirrors my own philosophy:
✨Healing is layered.
🧠The body remembers.
⚛️The nervous system matters.
🙏Prayer matters.
💓Touch matters.
🥗Nutrition matters.
Women’s History Month reminds us that nurturing is strength — not weakness.
In a culture that glorifies burnout, choosing rest is powerful.
In a world that praises hustle, choosing alignment is revolutionary.
This month, consider:
- Booking bodywork instead of pushing through tension.
- Supporting a woman-owned wellness business.
- Thanking a mentor who shaped your health journey.
- Reflecting on the women who modeled resilience for you.
We honor women best not just by celebrating them — but by embodying the wisdom they fought (and continue to fight) to share.
xoDanette