Elizabeth Jane Cochrane—better known by her pen name Nellie Bly—was born on May 5, 1864. Best known for her trip around the world in 72 days and “Ten Days in a Mad-House,” Nellie Bly determinedly showed that women could be serious investigative reporters in an era when most women were expected to stay out of the workforce. (She is also part of the inspiration for Katherine Plumber in the Broadway version of “Newsies.”)

Google has a lovely doodle in her honor: https://www.google.com/doodles/nellie-blys-151st-birthday