Women have broken barriers and changed the TV landscape through many firsts and iconic roles.Diahann Caroll was the first Black woman to win a Golden Globe.Ali Wong became the first Asian woman to win a Primetime Emmy award for a leading role.If the idea of someone holding the title of "first to..." in 2025 seems far-fetched, think again.Despite being over two decades into the 21st century, American society is still reaching new milestones for the representation of women in entertainment, especially in television.In the last 10 years alone, we've seen Zendaya become the first Black woman to win the Emmy award for outstanding lead actress twice, Jodie Whittaker become the first female Doctor on "Doctor Who," and Ali Wong become the first Asian woman to win an Emmy for a leading role.And in July 2024, Lily Gladstone and Kali Reis became the first Indigenous women to be nominated for acting Primetime Emmys.So, in honor of Women's History Month, here's a list of 45 groundbreaking women's contributions to television history.Betty WhiteBetty White was one of the first women to be nominated for an Emmy. NBC/Getty Known as the "first lady of television" and "queen of the small screen," Betty White made her debut in 1939. She was the first woman to produce a national TV show and to star in a sitcom thanks to her variety show, "Life with Elizabeth" (1953-1955). She was also one of the first women to be nominated for an Emmy.She's best known for her roles on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (1970-1977) and "The Golden Girls" (1985-1992), both of which earned her Emmys. She made many appearances on game shows and even hosted a few like "Just Men!" (1983); White became the first woman to win an Emmy for outstanding game show host.She won another Emmy for her episode of "Saturday Night Live" in 2010where she hosted and drew in over 12 million viewers. She then won a Guinness World Record for having the longest TV career as a female entertainer, spanning around 80 years.After her death on December 31, 2021, White's legacy lives on, especially through the many female TV entertainers she's influenced and inspired.Carol BurnettCarol Burnett broke into comedy when it was dominated by men. CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images "The Carol Burnett Show" (1967-1978) was a variety and comedy series that featured Burnett and other comedians performing various sketches. Her infectious presence, slapstick comedy, and signature ear tug were favorites across the nation. It was cited as one of the best sketch-comedy TV shows by Rolling Stone in 2020.Burnett had a pool of entertainers like Betty White, Lucille Ball, Cher,and Sammy Davis Jr. guest star on her show, too.Her contributions to comedy and TV have been so great that the Golden Globes created the Carol Burnett award in 2018, which has been given to Burnett, Ellen DeGeneres, Norman Lear, Ryan Murphy, and Ted Danson.Mary Kay StearnsMary Kay Stearns' pregnancy in 1948 was written into the show, making her the first pregnant character onscreen. CBS Photo Archive/Contributor/CBS via Getty Images The first ever sitcom broadcast on network television was "Mary Kay and Johnny" (1947-1950) and starred real-life couple Mary Kay and Johnny Stearns. They were the first small-screen married couple to share a bed, which was taboo and uncommon, and wasn't seen more consistently for another decade.In 1948, Stearns was pregnant, so it was written into the show, making her the first onscreen pregnant character.Stearns died in 2018 at the age of 93.Lucille BallLucille Ball was the first woman to own a production company. CBS/Getty Images From her start on the comedy "I Love Lucy" (1951-1957), Lucille Ball changed the world of television many times over. When "I Love Lucy" premiered, she advocated for her Cuban husband, Desi Arnaz, amidst the racist mentalities surrounding interracial relationships.The real-life and on-screen couple created their show and filmed it in a new format: live in front of a studio audience and with three cameras rolling rather than one. Ball even helped invent syndication and was successful with "I Love Lucy" being filmed on tape, rather than being broadcast live.Ball made TV history (similar to Mary Kay Stearns) with her second pregnancy being written into her character's storyline. In 1953, the subject almost wasn't allowed on TV, and the word "pregnancy" wasn't used either. The episode where the character gave birthwas also aired the same night the actress actually gave birth, and a record-breaking near 72% of homes with television sets tuned in to watch, MeTV reported.After co-founding Desilu Productions in 1950, divorcing Arnaz in 1960, and buying the company from him in 1962, Ball became the first woman to own and run a major television production company. It went on to produce "The Lucy Show" (1962-1968), "Star Trek" (1966-1969), and "Mission: Impossible" (1966-1973).She died in 1989 at 77 years old.Donna ReedDonna Reed was the first actress and female character to be the lead in a married dynamic on a family sitcom. ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images While "I Love Lucy" primarily focused on the wife in the married duo, "The Donna Reed Show" (1958-1966) was the first family sitcom to do the same.Donna Reed, who lived until 1986, was an Academy Award winner before she had her own TV show and helped develop the series. Reed's impact of placing the focus on the wife rather than the husband, and touching on controversial and important topics like women's rights, was all groundbreaking during the 1950s.Roxie RokerRoxie Roker was part of an interracial couple on "The Jeffersons" when it was still controversial. CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images Roker, who died in 1995, played neighbor Hellen Willis in the "All in the Family" (1971-1979) spinoff series, "The Jeffersons" (1975-1985). The Black actress was married to a white man on the show (and also in real life), making her part of the first Black and white interracial couple on TV.This came at a time when there were still strong prejudices against interracial relationships. But Helen and Tom were a strong and positive representation of what love could look like.Nichelle NicholsNichelle Nichols had one of the first interracial kisses on TV in "Star Trek" in 1967. CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images One of the first and most significant interracial kisses on TV was on "Star Trek" (1966-1969). In 1967, on an episode entitled "Plato's Stepchildren," Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) kisses Lieutenant Uhura (Nichelle Nichols).Although interracial kisses had been seen between white and Asian characters on TV, this was the first with a white man and Black woman. Nichols made history, first breaking the typecast for Black actresses and second for being part of this significant kiss and moment in TV history. She died in 2022 at the age of 89.Marlo ThomasMarlo Thomas was the first lead whose character was single, living on her own, and without children to be portrayed on TV. ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images The first sitcom to focus on a female lead who was single was "That Girl" (1966-1971). Living on her own, unmarried, and without children, actress Marlo Thomas' real-life experience matched that of her character, Ann Marie.Despite few women being leads on TV before this, they were typically wives and mothers. Thomas helped represent and normalize independent, single women.Mary Tyler MooreMary Tyler Moore helped showcase the lives of single, career-oriented women. CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images Mary Tyler Moore's most notable contributions to TV were through her role as Mary Richards on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (1970-1977). A single, 30-something-year-old woman who was career-oriented and freely dated, Moore's character was distinctly different from the typical TV housewife.She was a role model for women entering the workforce in the '70s, and was also sex-positive, something that wasn't highly represented. In one episode, it was likely the first time birth control was mentioned on television, with Richards' mother telling her, "Don't forget to take your pill," The New York Times reported.She died in 2017 at the age of 80.Candice BergenCandice Bergen's character, Murphy Brown, gained attention from the vice president when she decided to raise her child on her own. CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images On "Murphy Brown" (1988-1998), Candice Bergen'scharacter decided to raise her child as a single mother in the 1992 season finale. This caused a debate that even prompted Vice President Dan Quayle to comment.On May 19, 1992, Quayle delivered a speech during his re-election campaign with George W. Bush, where he added, "It doesn't help matters when prime-time TV has Murphy Brown, a character who supposedly epitomizes today's intelligent, highly paid professional woman, mocking the importance of fathers by bearing a child alone and calling it just another lifestyle choice," The Washington Post reported.This turned Quayle into the butt of the joke and only heightened Bergen's profile. After already winning two Emmys for her role, Bergen won a third after the pregnancy episode and after Quayle's speech the actress sarcastically thanked him as she accepted the award.Bea ArthurBea Arthur used comedy to tackle feminist topics. Martin Mills/Getty Images It's not a shock that in 1972, a year before Roe v. Wade was originally decided, abortion was a highly sensitive and controversial topic, especially to be discussed on TV. So, on the sitcom "Maude" (1972-1978), when Bea Arthur'slead character became pregnant at 47 years old when she was already a grandmother, an abortion storyline was highly taboo.Over the course of the two-part episode, Maude decided to go through with an abortion. This sparked protest, but it also made Arthur an icon for the feminist movement.Arthur, who died in 2009, continued to take roles that defied societal and gender norms, ageism, and that touched on feminist topics, most notably as Dorothy in "Golden Girls" (1985-1992).Cicely TysonCicely Tyson was the first Black actress to have a continuing role in a TV drama and pledged not to take stereotypical parts. CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images Cicely Tyson became the first Black woman to star in a TV drama in "East Side/West Side" (1963-1964). She played a social worker's secretary. While her character's job wasn't revolutionary for women, her representation was revolutionary for Black women. Tyson is also widely reported to be one of the first Black women to wear her natural hair on TV.She told Parade magazine in 1972 that she refused to play a drug addict or a maid, according to the National Portrait Gallery."I won't play that kind of characterless role any more, even if I have to go back to starving," Tyson said.The trailblazer died at 96 years old on January 28, 2021.Diahann CarrollDiahann Caroll was the first Black actress to win a Golden Globe. NBC Television/Getty Images Diahann Carroll was the first Black female lead on TV in a non-stereotypical role. On "Julia" (1968-1971), Carroll was a nurse, widow, and single mother. Single mothers weren't typically represented on TV, so her role broke boundaries.In 1969, Carroll became the first Black actress to win a Golden Globe for her performance in "Julia," the Golden Globes reported.Earlier in her career, she also became one of the first Black actresses nominated for an Emmy.Carroll died in 2019 at the age of 84.Debbie AllenDebbie Allen was the first Black woman to win a Golden Globe for best actress in a television series musical or comedy. Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images The legendary choreographer, actor, director, and producer starred as Lydia Grant in the film and television adaptation of "Fame," which ran from 1982-1987.While appearing on the show, Allen became the first Black woman to win a Golden Globe for best actress in a television series musical or comedy in 1983, an award that wouldn't belong to a Black woman again until 34 years later when Tracee Ellis Ross won for her role in "Black-ish."She also served as the show's lead choreographer, winning two Emmys for outstanding achievement in choreography in 1982 and 1983, respectively, and later became its director.Allen's career has progressed to include a large range of acting, directing, producing, and choreography credits which range from projects like "Grey's Anatomy" and "Insecure" to "Dolly Parton's Christmas On The Square."Allen has won a total of five Emmys, receiving a total of 21 nominations, Emmys.com reported.Some of her other achievements include five NAACP Image Awards, four honorary doctorate degrees, one of which came from her alma mater Howard University; entry to the Television Academy Hall of Fame, a Governors Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.Pauline FrederickPauline Frederick was the first female full-time news correspondent on ABC. Graphic House/Getty Images Frederick, who died in 1990, had many significant firsts in her career and made impactful differences in the world of news for women. In 1948, she became the first full-time female news correspondent on ABC. This early success broke ground for other newscasters. She went on to work for NBC, where she covered the United Nations for 21 years.In 1976 she made history again when she was the first woman to moderate a televised presidential debate. This transformative moment was for Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford's campaigns.Barbara WaltersBarbara Walters was the first female co-anchor on ABC. ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images After writing and producing women's interest stories on the "Today" show, Walters became its first female co-anchor in 1974. She also became the first female co-anchor for ABC's "Evening News" in 1976.She created the daytime talk show "The View" in 1997, which gives other female voices a platform and is still on the air. Walters' popularity with viewers and interviewees furthered her success. She also appeared on other shows like "World News Tonight" and "20/20" until her retirement in 2014.In 2022, she died at the age of 93.Katie CouricKatie Couric was the first female newscaster to be a solo anchor on network TV. Bryan Bedder/Getty Images Couric made TV history when she became the first woman to be a solo anchor for an evening news broadcast.Following in the steps of Barbara Walters, Couric co-anchored for years before taking the helm in 2006 with "CBS Evening News with Katie Couric" (2006-2011).Oprah WinfreyOprah Winfrey was the first woman to own, produce, and host her own talk show. Ron Galella/Getty Images Not many people are known worldwide by their first name alone or are as successful as the one and only Oprah.Winfrey was the first woman to own, produce, and host her own talk show with "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (1986-2011). In 1987, she won the Daytime Emmy for outstanding talk show, an award she'd win three more times throughout her career.Her success helped revolutionize talk shows and helped her create an empire. Winfrey started her own TV network, OWN, in 2011.She became the world's first Black billionaire and now has an estimated net worth of $3 billion, Forbes reported.Ellen DeGeneresEllen DeGeneres came out as gay on her sitcom, making waves years before she hosted a successful talk show. ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images DeGeneres' character on the sitcom "Ellen" (1994-1998) came out as gay in 1997. She was the first actress to do this, and the coming out was also in sync with DeGeneres' real-life announcement of her sexuality, which was shared on an iconic Time magazine cover on April 14, 1997."The Puppy Episode," where she came out, aired on April 30, but it caused a stir among conservative organizations and sponsorsbefore it was even broadcast. The groundbreaking two-part episode became a phenomenon, though, with an outstanding number of views.However, "Ellen" had "parental advisory" warnings on the following episodes and was canceled after its fifth season in 1998. Both DeGeneres and Laura Dern, who guest-starred on "The Puppy Episode," couldn't find work for a couple of years after the episode.DeGeneres had a revival and new phase of her successful TV career, though, with her talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" (2003-2022). She's beloved by audiences and uses the tagline "be kind to one another," although accusations by guests and crew members in 2020 painted a less-than-kind picture of the host. In a letter to staff that July, DeGeneres said she was "disappointed to learn" that people working for her did not feel happy or respected.The showended in 2022 after running for 19 seasons.Kerry WashingtonKerry Washington was the first Black actress in 40 years to star as the lead of a drama. Craig Sjodin/Getty Images Kerry Washington played Olivia Pope, a White House communications director, on the acclaimed political drama "Scandal" (2012-2018). She was the first Black female lead in a network TV series since 1974, when Teresa Graves played a police officer on "Get Christie Love!"Washington's performance highlighted the importance of seeing Black women in multidimensional leading roles. Washington won her first BET Award for best actress in 2013 for her role.Viola DavisViola Davis is an EGOT winner. Mitch Haaseth/Getty Images While Viola Davis is perhaps best known for her work on the big screen, she made great strides on TV, too. Starting at the age of 49, Davis played the role of a lawyer and criminal law professor in "How to Get Away with Murder" (2014-2020).Davis became the first Black woman to win an Emmy for lead actress in a drama series in 2015.In 2018, Davis' "How to Get Away with Murder" and Kerry Washington's "Scandal" had a monumental crossover episode, bringing two powerhouse actresses and characters together.Davis has received an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, an Oscar, and a Tony Award.Alfre WoodardAlfre Woodard was the first actress to play a Black female US president on TV. Steve Granitz/Getty Images Alfre Woodard was the first Black actress to play a US president on TV in "State of Affairs" (2014-2015). Her role mimicked actual possibilities and her real-life experience of previously working in politics.She has also been widely recognized for her work since the 1980s, winning a Golden Globe and four Emmys, and earning nominations for two Grammys, a BAFTA, and an Academy Award.Lynda CarterLynda Carter played one of the first female superheroes. ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images In 1975, Lynda Carter took on the role of Wonder Woman, becoming one of the first female superheroes on television. (Cathy Lee Crosby previously played the character in a TV movie of the same name).Carter led the series until 1979 and is still considered one of the most iconic actresses to have played the part, with the role not welcoming a new face until 2017 with Gal Gadot.Carter also appeared in a post-credits scene in Gadot's "Wonder Woman: 1984."Jodie WhittakerWhittaker played the first female Doctor on "Doctor Who." Astrid Stawiarz/Stringer/Getty Images for BBCAmerica Jodie Whittaker made history in 2017 when she became the first woman to play the Doctor in "Doctor Who."Her episode debut brought in the biggest "Doctor Who" audience in over a decade, with 8.2 million viewers, Bustle reported; and she quickly became a fan-favorite.Whittaker helped design her character's costume and decided to make it comfortable and gender non-specific, specifically with fans in mind, according to an interview with Radio Times.She leftthe series in 2022.