Adventures, Aviators and Daredevils
An inspiration for what women can achieve when they break away from tradition. The first Arab and African woman pilot in the world, Elnadi paved the way for other female aviators.
Medicine
Nigeria's answer to Florence Nightingale, Kofoworola Abeni Pratt was the first BAME nurse in the NHS and helped to shape modern nursing in Nigeria.
Education
Social reformer, educationalist, and poet from Maharashtra, India. A pioneer of India’s feminist movement, Savitrabai Phule founded 18 schools for women, protected vulnerable child widows, and dedicated her life to helping ‘untouchables’.
STEM
More than just a pretty face. Famed for her beauty, Hedy Lamarr also contributed to the development of Wifi, GPS and Bluetooth, thanks to her invention of a frequency hopping device.
Rebels and Advocates
Irelands rebel Countess. Constance Markievicz dedicated her life the Ireland's republican cause and helping the poor. She played a key role in the Easter rising and was the first woman elected to the UK Parliament.
STEM
Computer science is dominated by men, yet the first computer program was written by a woman. Ada Lovelace was a remarkable woman with a short but remarkable life. A prophet of the computer age, she is an inspiration for all women in STEM.
Philosophy and Law
Committed to ensuring all people had a voice in the courts of law. Oxford University’s first female law graduate, India's first woman advocate, Cornelia Sorabji helped hundreds of women and orphans stand up in court.
Sports
Junko Tabei only became a mountaineer to find a husband - at least that is what many of the male mountaineers suggested. The first woman to climb Mount Everest, she proved that women were more than capable of the endurance and determination needed to reach new heights.
The Arts
A woman who turned her pain into art, Frida Kahlo is perhaps one of the most instantly recognisable women in the world, thanks to her many self portraits. She died young, but her legacy continues to grow.
STEM
The first woman to earn a doctorate in science and the first salaried female teacher at a University. Laura Bassi paved the way for women in academics.
Military
Facing bullets, frostbite, scepticism and sexism. These daring Russian pilots were the horrors that besieged Nazi nights. The women of the 588th Night Bomber regiment, led by Marina Raskova, were feared by the Nazi's and led the way for women in warfare.
Rebels and Advocates
A remarkable figure, Wangari Maathai fought for conservation, Kenyan democracy and freedom. She helped plant 50 million trees, went on a hunger strike, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She helped end the single party regime in Kenya, and earned global respect. A truly remarkable woman.
Rebels and Advocates
Former slave, advocate for abolition, civil and women's rights. Sejourner Truth was even invited to meet President Lincoln. Unable to read or write, Truth's life was a remarkable story of the power of the spoken word.
STEM
18th century China was no feminist paradise. Wang Zhenyi breached social customs by educating herself in astronomy, mathematics, and poetry. Ahead of her time, she proved women had ability equal to men. She is an inspiration to all women who seek to pursue science.
Monarchs, Leaders, and Politicians
Syria's rebel queen, a woman bold enough to challenge the Roman Empire, yet scarcely known in the west. Queen Zenobia stands shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Boudica and Cleopatra. Her story is one we should all know, and her name is one we should all recognise.
Women in History
Well behaved women seldom make history - its about time that changed.