National Women's History Month: Macomb County highlights

For years Macomb County has birthed and been home to many notable figures-from celebrities to activists-and in honor of Women's History Month, we plan to list a few that have impacted not just our community, but the world!

The headquarters of the nation's top racing organizations may be located farther South, but that doesn't mean its racers originate their too. Take Shirley Muldowney for instance: the "First Lady of Drag Racing", Motorsports Hall of Famer, and inductee in the Automotive Hall of Fame. This professional drag racer (1958 - 2003)known as the "Cha Cha", became the first woman to receive a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) license to drive a top fuel dragster and is also a three-time NHRA Top Fuel Champion. What's more? She was a citizen of Mount Clemens for a time! For her influence, she was added to not only the national and international but the state's Motorsports Hall of Fame, as well.

Speaking of the not-so-conventional sports, Kelly Gunther, a 2006 Chippewa Valley High School graduate, found her calling in speed skating. In 2014, she participated in the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, ranking 33^rd for the Women's 1000m race. For many years following this achievement, Kelly continued to race on the world national and international stage. Currently, she travels the country as an Olympian keynote speaker.

Macomb County hasn't only been home to star athletes, however. In fact, Wright Griffiths was elected to the House of Representatives in 1954and served 10 terms in Congress before becoming the first female lieutenant governor of Michigan from 1983 to 1991 and eventually retiring to Armada, MI. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan, as well as a National Women's Hall of Fame inductee, having spent time as a lawyer and judge prior to her stint in Congress. A truly remarkable woman, she achieved much in her political tenure and was specifically honored in 2007 during National Women's History Month for her accomplishments.