Women Who Inspired History
They say that well-behaved women rarely make history. If that is the case, my tribe will definitely make the history books! In all seriousness, I am so lucky to be surrounded by a group of strong, inspirational, EPIC women – from supermums to boss babes. With International Women's Day just gone, I wanted to dedicate a post especially to this.
IWD is a global event that is celebrated annually on March 8th to recognise the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and to raise awareness of the challenges they – and we – continue to face worldwide. It’s a day that highlights the need for gender equality and women's empowerment.
The day has its roots in the early 1900s when women began to fight for their rights and demand better working conditions. Today, International Women's Day is an opportunity to celebrate the progress that has been made towards gender equality and to push for further changes to ensure that we are afforded the same opportunities and rights as men. It’s a time to celebrate the achievements of women, reflect on the struggles we have faced, and renew everyone’s commitment to creating a more equal and just world.
Women have been at the forefront of change throughout history, contributing to countless fields and really breaking barriers to pave the way for our future generations. From politics and literature to science and technology, women have made significant contributions that have completely changed the world we live in today.
With this being said, I’ve decided to list some remarkable women who have made history:
Marie Curie was a physicist and chemist who did pioneering research on radioactivity. She was the very first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to have won it twice in different fields! Her work laid the foundation for the development of X-rays and radiation therapy, which are now used in medical treatment. As you may know, cancer research is something I feel very strongly about and Marie Curie’s incredible contribution has been incredibly inspirational to me.
This civil rights activist became a symbol of the civil rights movement in the United States. In 1955, she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus to a white person, which led to her arrest and sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the civil rights movement.
Probably one of the most famous novelists in history, Jane Austen’s work, including Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, have become absolute literary classics. Her writing style was influential in the development of the novel as a genre, and her characters have become archetypes in literature. Not everyone knows this, but Bridget Jones’ Diary is actually based on Pride and Prejudice.
Malala Yousafzai is a human rights activist and the youngest Nobel laureate at 17. 17… let that sink in. She became an advocate for girls' education in Pakistan after the Taliban took control of her home region of Swat and banned girls from attending school. She survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban in 2012 and continues to speak out for education and women's rights.
Twiggy is a cultural icon and one of the most recognisable faces of the 1960s. She rose to fame as a model, actress, and singer, and she is known for her striking, slightly androgynous look. You know the one; short hair and doe-like eyes. She quickly became a style icon with her slightly cheeky, mod-inspired fashion. She was also the first supermodel to achieve worldwide fame, and her influence on fashion and beauty is still felt today. She went on to have a career in film and also became an advocate for various causes, including animal rights and breast cancer awareness.
Cleopatra was the last pharaoh of ancient Egypt and one of the most famous female figures in history. She was born in 69 BC and came to power at the age of 18. She was famous for her intelligence, beauty, and political savvy. She is famously associated with her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, which ultimately led to her downfall… men, ey?! After the defeat of Mark Antony and Cleopatra's forces by Octavian Cleopatra took her own life. Yet her controversial legacy, Cleopatra remains an icon of power and influence and has inspired countless works of art and literature throughout history.
Ah, Coco Chanel. Where does one even begin? Born Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel (who knew?) in 1883, this sensational French fashion designer revolutionised women's fashion in the early 20th century. She is famous for the little black dress, THE Chanel suit, and of course Chanel No. 5, the only thing Marilyn Monroe wore to bed. Coco Chanel’s personal life was just as intriguing as her fashion legacy, with rumors of affairs with wealthy men and even a collaboration with the Nazi regime during World War II. However, despite the controversy, her contributions to fashion are undeniable and her influence lives on.
Emmeline Pankhurst was a British suffragette who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement. She founded the Women's Social and Political Union in 1903, which adopted militant tactics to gain attention for the causes – think hunger strikes and window smashing. She was a powerful speaker and was not afraid to confront the authorities. She was arrested several times, and her activism led to her being force-fed while on hunger strikes in prison. It wasn’t for nothing. In 1918, the women got the right to vote in the UK.
Elizabeth Taylor is regarded as one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history. She was born in 1932 in London and began acting as a young child. Her famous breakout role came in 1944's National Velvet, and she went on to star in over 50 films, including classics like Cleopatra, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. She was known for her beauty, charm, and striking violet eyes, but she was also a fierce advocate for humanitarian causes, including HIV/AIDS awareness. She won two Academy Awards for Best Actress as well as many humanitarian awards.
Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker was a dancer, singer, and actress who became an international sensation during the 1920s and 1930s. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri started performing at the age of just 15. In the 1920s, she moved to Paris, where she became a star in the French entertainment scene. She was known for her – at the time – very sensuous and energetic dancing, sometimes only donning a skirt of bananas! Josephine was an advocate for civil rights and was known for her work with the French Resistance during World War II. She was also the first American (and African-American) woman to receive full military honors in France.
These women, and countless others like them, have changed history through their pioneering work and tireless dedication to their fields. Their contributions have inspired future generations of women to push boundaries and achieve greatness in their own right.
Who runs the world?
Girls.
So cheers to badly behaved women.
Love,
Lisa