Katharine Hepburn was an American actress whose career spanned more than 60 years. In the 20th century, she became the societal epitome of the “modern woman.” Hepburn was outspoken, assertive and fiercely independent. She wore trousers before they were fashionable for women and chose to live alone after her split from husband Spencer Tracy — something many women at the time wouldn’t dare to do.

She was an icon and was beloved in a way so few actors ever experience.

From an early age, Hepburn was taught to exercise her freedom of speech and to debate any topic she desired. Her mother was an active member of the Connecticut Woman Suffragette Association. Hepburn often went to “Votes for Women” demonstrations with her.

Hepburn won four Academy Awards, the record number for a performer, and received 12 Oscar nominations, a number only surpassed by Meryl Streep.

One of Hepburn’s most iconic roles was as Jo March in the 1933 version of “Little Women.”

After appearing in the commercially unsuccessful “Bringing Up Baby” alongside Cary Grant, Hepburn took her future into her own hands, buying out her contract with RKO Radio Pictures and purchasing the rights to “The Philadelphia Story,” which she then sold on the condition she was its star.

She appeared in 44 feature films, eight television movies and 33 plays during her 66-year career.

Hepburn is photographed next to co-star Ginger Rogers in the 1937 comedy “Stage Door.”

Photography: Warner Bros.

In the 1950s, Hepburn challenged herself at a time when many actresses began to retreat from the limelight. She went on to dabble in Shakespeare stage productions and found a niche playing “love-starved spinsters.”

In 1999, Hepburn was named the greatest female star of Classic Hollywood Cinema by the American Film Institute.

In 2003, Hepburn passed away at the Connecticut family home. Her legacy as a modern woman serves as an inspiration to people even today.