These five hidden figures in health and wellbeing may not be in most history books, but their advocacy, research, and care have made them pioneers in their respective fields. Learn more about these trailblazers.

Too often, the history of health and wellness spotlights only a narrow few, leaving behind the pioneers from marginalized communities whose contributions have shaped the way we care for bodies and minds today. 

In this blog, we’re celebrating those hidden figures. These are the innovators, healers, advocates, and changemakers who advanced public health, redefined wellness, and uplifted their communities, often with little recognition. By honoring their stories, we not only give credit where it’s long overdue but also broaden our understanding of what leadership in health and wellness truly looks like.

Dr. Richard Kekuni Blaisdell

Dr. Richard Kekuni Blaisdell was a physician, advocate, and champion for Native Hawaiian health. As the founding chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of Hawaii, he helped shape generations of doctors while fighting for culturally grounded care. 

His landmark research on Native Hawaiian health disparities led to federal legislation and funding that continues to uplift communities today. Blaisdell’s legacy lives on in every student he mentored, every tradition he helped preserve, and every life his work touched. A true patriot of the lāhui, he showed that medicine, culture, and justice are inseparable.

Kathleen Stanford Grant 

Pilates may be everywhere today, but Kathleen Stanford Grant helped pave the way. A pioneering ballet dancer and the first Black student to study classical ballet at the Boston Conservatory, she later became one of the few people to train directly under Joseph Pilates. 

After an injury led her to his studio, she became certified in his method and brought it back to the dance world. She taught at the Dance Theater of Harlem, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and some of the first Pilates studios. Grant even coined seminal Pilates lingo phrases, like “zip up your tight jeans” to brace your core. Her legacy lives on through so many teachers today.

Adela Vázquez

Adela Vázquez dedicated her life to advocating for transgender Latinas and the Latine community through health education, nightlife, and art. A Cuban asylum seeker, she made her way to San Francisco in the early ’80s and became a powerful force in HIV/AIDS prevention, especially through her performance group, Las AtreDivas. 

Vázquez was one of the first to speak publicly for trans rights in hospice care and spent decades helping others access respectful, life-saving healthcare. From community health centers to nightclub stages, her impact was as vibrant as she was. Adela's legacy lives on in the lives she changed and the community she built.

Carolyn Lewis Attneave

Carolyn Lewis Attneave was a pioneer in cross-cultural psychology and a national leader in American Indian mental health. A descendant of the Delaware tribes, she earned her PhD from Stanford in 1952 and spent her career advancing culturally informed care. She coordinated services for seven tribes in Oklahoma, developed network therapy for schizophrenia in Philadelphia, and founded the Boston Indian Council. 

She also launched the Network of Indian Psychologists and produced a landmark report on Native mental health needs. Her legacy lives on through her vast contributions to community mental health and advocacy for culturally competent care in Indigenous communities. 

Kiyoshi Kuromiya 

Kiyoshi Kuromiya was a pioneering AIDS activist who transformed how HIV/AIDS patients accessed vital health information. As a co-founder of ACT UP Philadelphia, he helped write the group’s first standards of care and became one of the most knowledgeable lay experts on HIV in the city. Through his Critical Path Project, a newsletter and a 24-hour hotline, Kuromiya provided real-time, lifesaving updates about HIV treatments, well before the digital health era began. 

He also fought online censorship, arguing that access to sexual health information was essential for public safety. Kuromiya’s legacy lives on through his work at Philadelphia FIGHT and his unwavering commitment to community health and dignity.

Building a More Inclusive Future in Health

These hidden figures in health and wellness may not always appear in history books, but their impact is undeniable. From advancing culturally competent care to breaking barriers in advocacy, research, and access, they laid the foundation for more inclusive, effective health systems. Their stories remind us that innovation and progress often come from those working at the margins, speaking up when others stay silent, and building systems that serve everyone. By honoring their legacies, we preserve their contributions and carry their work forward.