In celebration of International Women’s Day, we have a list of 15 famous women who defied the odds, challenged societal norms, and left a huge impact on the world. From groundbreaking scientists to fearless activists and political leaders, these women made history through their incredible accomplishments and determination. Discover the stories of legendary figures like Marie Curie, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, and many others who shaped our world in ways that continue to inspire generations.
Marie Curie
Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, which is an international award that recognises contributions to science, literature and peace. Marie Curie also remains the only person to have won Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields – Physics and Chemistry. Her groundbreaking work in radioactivity led to major advancements in medicine, including the development of cancer treatments using radiation. What a legacy!
Rosa Parks
Known as “the mother of the civil rights movement,” Rosa Parks started the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 by refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus. Her act of defiance became a key moment in the struggle against racial segregation in the United States.
Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo was a Mexican artist known for her surreal, deeply personal self-portraits that reflected her struggles with physical pain, her tumultuous marriage to artist Diego Rivera, and her passion for Mexican culture. Kahlo became an icon of feminism and LGBTQ+ advocacy, influencing generations of artists and activists. Check out our quiz about Frida here on mused.
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932. A true pioneer in aviation, she mysteriously disappeared during an attempted around-the-world flight in 1937, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most famous female aviators in history and a symbol of courage and determination. Would you ever like to fly a plane?
Cleopatra
Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, was a clever and charismatic leader. Known for her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, she played a critical and strategic role in the politics of Rome and Egypt. Her intelligence, diplomacy, and legendary beauty have immortalised her in history as a fierce ruler. Go Cleopatra! You can play our quiz on Cleopatra here.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt was not just the First Lady of the United States but also a passionate human rights advocate. She played a key role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights after World War II and became the first woman to hold a seat in the U.S. delegation to the United Nations. She truly cared about people!
Helen Keller
Helen Keller, who became deaf and blind at a young age due to an illness, overcame these disabilities with the help of her teacher, Anne Sullivan. Keller became an influential author, activist, and lecturer, advocating for people with disabilities and women’s rights, and she was the first deafblind person to earn a college degree. Here she is pictured in 1953 with her aide Polly Thompson and she is putting her hand on President Eisenhower’s face.
Queen Elizabeth I
Queen Elizabeth I ruled England for 45 years during the Elizabethan Era, a period marked by English Renaissance culture and the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. Her leadership helped secure England’s status as a major world power, and she never married or had children, an unusual status for a Queen in the 16th century.
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was an American abolitionist and political activist who escaped slavery and went on to lead hundreds of enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Tubman also served as a spy and nurse during the Civil War, becoming one of the most famous and courageous figures in American history.
Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi was the first and, to date, the only female Prime Minister of India. Serving from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984, she was known for her political prowess, her handling of the Indo-Pakistani War, and her controversial decision to impose a state of emergency in India in 1975.
Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani education activist who became the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate at age 17. After surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban for advocating girls’ education, she continued her work and has become a global advocate for women’s rights and education. She also released a book about her experience and work since.
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France during the late 18th century, is often remembered for her extravagant lifestyle and controversial quote, “Let them eat cake!”- though there’s no evidence she ever said it and the French to English translation actually means ‘brioche’ which is a type of bread. She was actually a big giver to charity, even helping open a home for unwed mothers. Marie also adopted three destitute children and gave them an education too. She was ultimately executed during the French Revolution, but her life and legacy continue to captivate the public imagination.
Susan B. Anthony
Susan B. Anthony was an important figure in the women’s suffrage movement in the United States. She co-founded the National Woman Suffrage Association and played a leading role in the fight for women’s right to vote, which was achieved with the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, years after her death.
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was an American poet, singer, and civil rights activist best known for her autobiographies, especially I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Her powerful words on resilience, racial equality, and womanhood made her one of the most influential voices of the 20th century, earning her multiple awards and honours.
Ada Lovelace
Ada Lovelace was a British mathematician and writer, best known for her work on Charles Babbage’s early mechanical computer, the Analytical Engine. She is often regarded as the first computer programmer because she recognised that the machine could be programmed to perform a series of operations beyond simple calculations. Her groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern computing and her visionary insights into algorithms were ahead of her time. Do you enjoy maths?
