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Montage of photos of 8 women inventors

Top row: Marion O'Brien Donovan, Tara Astigarraga, Madison Maxey, Marilyn Hamilton. Bottom row: Michelle Khine, Marjorie Stewart Joyner, Alexis Lewis, Ellen Ochoa

Detail of a photo of 14-year-old Laura Shepherd kneels behind her soapbox derby car, holding her trophy, which is resting on the car.

Laura Shepherd

March 22, 2021 by Joyce Bedi

Throughout American history, women with diverse backgrounds and interests created inventions that change our lives every day.

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“I told my dad I’d like to try it.”

Laura Shepherd

The first All-American Soap Box Derby was held in 1934. The competition opened to girls in 1971, and the Junior Division for children 10–12 years old was created in 1976. Junior competitors built their cars from authorized kits, an innovation in derby racing. 

Eleven-year-old Laura Shepherd started racing in 1992 and built “Lightning Laura” in 1993; she went on to win more than 20 races. In constructing her car and personalizing the basic components provided in the kit, Shepherd demonstrated some common traits among inventors—curiosity, persistence, imagination, problem solving, and a childhood passion for tinkering and building.

artifacts-shepherd-laura-soapbox-derby-car-with-father-AHB2015q007134-750-inline-edit.jpg

14-year-old Laura Shepherd kneels behind her soapbox derby car, holding her trophy, which is resting on the car. Her father stands behind her, with one hand on the trophy. They are at the top of a hill and the soapbox derby downhill course is visible at the right.

Laura Shepherd and her father Larry pose with “Lightning Laura” and Laura’s fourth-place trophy from the All-American Soap Box Derby, 1995. © Smithsonian Institution; photo AHB2015q007134 

artifacts-shepherd-laura-sopabox-derby-car-side-view-et2018-05525-750-inline-edit.jpg

Side view of “Lightning Laura” soapbox derby car. It has a white fiberglass body and solid wheels. The car bears the words “Akron Suburban Champ Lightning Laura” and racing number 202. and is covered with various stickers, including Dairy Queen, Heath, and Continental Airlines.

“Lightning Laura” soap box derby car, built by Laura Shepherd, 1993. Gift of Laura Shepherd and Larry Shepherd. © 2018 Smithsonian Institution; photo ET2018-05525 by Hugh Talman


Source for quote above: “Laura Shepherd Soap Box Winner," unattributed newspaper clipping, undated, NMAH image AHB2015q007137.

  • Continue To Kavita Shukla
  • Previous
  • Introduction
  • Exhibitions
  • Tara Astigarraga
  • Patricia Bath
  • Ayah Bdeir
  • Cynthia Breazeal
  • Theresa Dankovich
  • Marion O’Brien Donovan
  • Marilyn Hamilton
  • Grace Hopper
  • Marjorie Stewart Joyner
  • Michelle Khine
  • Margaret Knight
  • Stephanie Kwolek
  • Alexis Lewis
  • Lisa Lindahl, Hinda Miller, & Polly Palmer Smith
  • Madison Maxey
  • Ellen Ochoa
  • Amy Prieto
  • Sharon Rogone
  • Charlotte Cramer Sachs
  • Laura Shepherd
  • Kavita Shukla
  • Mária Telkes
  • Madam C. J. Walker
  • Cindy Whitehead
  • Woman’s Building, 1893 World’s Fair

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