March among other things is Women’s History Month. For decades women have fought for equality in every aspect of their lives, including the professional kitchen. The Culinary Institute of America didn’t accept women until 1970. Today 44 percent of its 3,000 students are female.

Here are six female professional chefs across the globe who applied their unique creativity and style to the art of cooking.

Julia Child, a cooking legend, began her career at the age of 46. Her towering personality matched her towering height of six feet two inches. Following success as a cookbook author, she broke into television. Born in California, this French cuisine chef laid the groundwork for many TV cooking shows that followed. Julia passed away in 2004.

Cristeta Comerford, a native of the Philippines, started as a trainee. Her first job was as a cook in Chicago which later led to the White House. Laura Bush in 2005 appointed her White House executive chef. Cristeta was the first woman, first ...