I read an article the other day, about 14 “women artists” (is that like “lady doctor”?) who changed the way we look at design. Regardless of the title, you should read it. Besides being an great starting point for further research, I just love the portraits of these women in their studios and workrooms, creating.
Like this one, of Lenore Tawney in her NY studio, 1958:
I also have a bit of a crush on the work of Dorothy Liebes.
Much of her work is simple and colourful, but the more you look at it you see just how surprising it is. She’s synonymous with mid-century modern and industrial design, and worked with many of the greats of that era (most notably Frank Lloyd Wright).
Go forth and research – the history of women artists and textiles is long, and full of ingenuity, beauty, and skill.

“Color and personality are closely related, as I see it. I find myself subconsciously thinking of one person as “blue,” another “green,” etc.” — Dorothy Liebes