Throughout history, women have made extraordinary contributions that shaped the course of human events, and we should make sure we never forget this. Their achievements span every field imaginable, including science, engineering, and politics. Here, we celebrate 17 trailblazing women who left a serious mark on the world.
Harriet Tubman: A Conductor of Freedom
The first female pioneer on this list is Harriet Tubman, an African American slave abolitionist. According to the National Women’s History Museum, she was born into slavery in 1822, eventually risking her life to lead hundreds of enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Her bravery and dedication made her an enduring symbol of the fight against slavery and the quest for freedom and equality. Without her, who knows where we would be today?
Frida Kahlo: Icon of Art and Individuality
Renowned for her vibrant self-portraits and works inspired by nature and Mexican culture, Frida Kahlo remains a powerful symbol of feminine strength and individuality. Despite severe health challenges, her unique artistic style and personal narrative captivated the world and left a lasting legacy in the art world, one that will be difficult for us to ever forget.
Marie Curie: A Legacy of Scientific Excellence
Marie Curie, a Polish-born physicist and chemist, impressively discovered radium and polonium, and this groundbreaking work in radioactivity earned her two Nobel Prizes. Curie’s dedication to science not only advanced her field but also broke barriers, paving the way for future generations of female scientists.
Eleanor Roosevelt: A Legacy of Human Rights
One of the most famous women on this list was Eleanor Roosevelt, who redefined the role of women in politics forever. As a tireless advocate for human rights, she chaired the committee that drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Her efforts laid the groundwork for modern human rights movements, making her a pivotal figure in global politics.
Rosa Parks: The Spark of the Civil Rights Movement
Achieving similarly world-changing feats to Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks famously refused to give up her bus seat to a white person in 1955, igniting a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Her act of defiance led to nationwide efforts to end racial segregation in the United States, making her a central figure in the fight for equality.
Jane Goodall: A Pioneer in Primatology
Celebrated for her groundbreaking research on chimpanzee behavior, Jane Goodall began her study in Tanzania in 1960. She provided unprecedented insights into primate social and family life, revolutionizing our understanding of our closest living relatives and significantly advancing conservation efforts.
Indira Gandhi: A Force in Global Politics
Back in the mid-’60s, Indira Gandhi served as the first and only female Prime Minister of India. Her leadership and policies significantly shaped India’s political landscape, lasting from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. To this day, she remains a powerful symbol of women’s leadership in global politics.
Florence Nightingale: The Mother of Modern Nursing
Women don’t get much more heroic than Florence Nightingale, known as the founder of modern nursing. Her efforts during the Crimean War improved sanitary conditions, reducing the death rate dramatically. Her pioneering work in nursing laid the foundation for professional nursing practices and healthcare reforms worldwide, making her a key figure in medical history.
Simone de Beauvoir: A Pillar of Feminist Philosophy
Author of “The Second Sex,” Simone de Beauvoir explored the oppression of women and advocated for gender equality. Her writings have had a lasting impact on feminist literature and philosophy, continuing to influence feminist theory and movements around the globe.
Malala Yousafzai: A Voice for Education
Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist, survived a Taliban assassination attempt in 2012. Her courageous advocacy for girls’ education earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, making her the youngest-ever laureate. Her story and work continue to inspire millions worldwide, especially young women in Pakistan.
Hedy Lamarr: Inventor Behind Modern Communication
A lot of people overlook the tremendous contributions of Hedy Lamarr, an Austrian-American actress who co-invented frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology during World War II. This innovation laid the groundwork for modern wireless communication technologies, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. How she even got started with inventing such a thing, we haven’t got a clue.
Ada Lovelace: The First Computer Programmer
Without Ada Lovelace, the woman who wrote the first algorithm intended for a machine in the mid-1800s, who knows where we would be today. She was essentially the first ever computer programmer, with her work on Charles Babbage’s early mechanical general-purpose computer marking her as a true pioneer in the field of computer science, long before the digital age began.
Emmeline Pankhurst: The Face of the Suffrage Movement
Emmeline Pankhurst founded the Women’s Social and Political Union in 1903. Her militant tactics and unwavering commitment to women’s suffrage played a crucial role in securing the right to vote for women in the UK. Her legacy endures in feminist activism and the ongoing fight for women’s rights. Without her, women such as Margeret Thatcher, Theresa May, and Liz Truss could never have run for prime minister, which would be a tragedy.
Wangari Maathai: Champion of the Environment
A Kenyan woman named Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977, focusing on tree planting, environmental conservation, and women’s rights. Her efforts earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, making her the first African woman to receive the honor. Her work continues to inspire environmental and social activists, which we’re sure she’d be very proud of.
Marie Stopes: Advocate for Women’s Health
As a Brit, it would be a crying shame if you didn’t learn about Marie Stopes, a British woman who opened the first birth control clinic in the UK in 1921. A scientist and author, her work in family planning and women’s reproductive rights significantly advanced public health. Her efforts provided women with more control over their bodies and reproductive choices.
Amelia Earhart: Breaking Barriers in Aviation
Finally, becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932, Amelia Earhart’s daring adventures and mysterious disappearance during an around-the-world flight attempt in 1937 captured the world’s imagination. Earhart’s achievements continue to inspire generations of female pilots and adventurers; after all, adventure knows no such thing as gender.