On Independence Day we thought it would be fun to recognize some accomplished (and accomplished in the future) American women.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (b. 1951), former Lt. Governor of Maryland and daughter of Robert and Ethel Kennedy. She’s pictured above!

Presidential Daughter Malia Obama turns 16 this year. Her mother has indicated that she’s learning to drive.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Embassy, JakartaGloria Stuart (1910-2010), Oscar Nominated Actress. Stuart is most famous for her role as the grandmother in Titanic, but she was once a starlet before taking time off to raise her family.

Abigail Van Buren (Pauline Friedman Phillips) and Ann Landers (Esther Friedman Lederer) were twin sisters born in Sioux City, Iowa in 1918. The sisters were savvy advice columnists and often forward thinking in their attitudes.

  Van Buren (top) and Landers

Henrietta Swan Leavitt (1868-1921), American Astronomer who worked at the Harvard College Observatory. Her work led directly to later discoveries.