There have been many women in history whose stories can inspire: from Cleopatra to Rosa Parks and Emmeline Pankhurst. We live in a world where fashion, trends, attitudes change overnight. Therefore, the achievements of these women seem even more impressive, because time does not affect them in any way.
At all times, women tirelessly sought to find their own voice. They sought to achieve respect for themselves as individuals and professionals in their fields. Innovators in the field of design, astronauts, political activists, artists and even monarchs. All these women have one thing in common: they are real fighters, and their example is inspiring in our days.
Eleanor Roosevelt called every day to do at least something that really scares you. Now we show you 16 women who can inspire you with our example:
1
Cleopatra
“They won’t triumph over me”
It seems strange and even inappropriate that a woman came to power in an era when men ruled. She suddenly died in 30 BC. e., however, and in our days the memory of her has not disappeared. Much is said about her appearance: the Roman consul, a historian of Greek origin, spoke of a woman of "incredible beauty." However, in reality, she was not beautiful. Her beauty is a myth.
Cleopatra impressed Anthony and Caesar not with her appearance, but with her mind and charm. Under the influence of changing values, Cleopatra’s internal beauty was transformed into external.
2
Rosa Parks
“I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free ... and that other people were also free”
She modestly declared: all she did was "just try to get home from work." Rosa Parks was the head of the US civil rights movement. On December 1, 1955, 42-year-old African-American seamstress Rosa did not give up her seat on the bus to a white passenger. This one act caused a boycott, which lasted for 381 days. Until the legal racial separation on buses was canceled in the city. This fearless act of Rosa made her "the first lady of civil rights." Her arrest day, December 1st, is known as Rose Sparks Day.
3
Mary Wollstonecraft
“Women are brought up depending: they are forced to act according to the will of other beings who are no less susceptible to errors. This must be put to an end. ”
In 1792, society was struck by Mary Wollstonecraft's call for gender equality and her protection of women's rights. It is now such ideas resonate with the public, but at the end of the XVII century. this call was revolutionary. One of the first examples of feminist philosophy is the publication of 1792, “Defending the Rights of Women.” The publication took a very long time, only in the middle of the XIX century. people saw the reprinted publication.
4
Nora Efron
“I try to assign women complex and interesting roles, because it really is”
A journalist, essayist, playwright, screenwriter, writer, director - all this is one woman. Nora struggled with gender inequality in an industry that even now distorts women. She succeeded as a journalist at Post, she soon became a Hollywood screenwriter, her most famous film is When Harry Met Sally. Then she began to write a book.
Her 1983 autobiographical novel, Heartburn, talks about the breakup of her marriage with startling honesty.
In 1996, she gave a speech at the graduation ceremony at the College of Liberal Arts in Wellesley, where she uttered the important words: “First of all, be the heroines of your life, not the victims”
5
Emmeline Pankhurst
“Believe in God - she will help”
In 1999, Time magazine included Emmeline on the list of the 100 most important people of the 20th century, noting that “she formed the concept of women for our society; she created a new model that cannot be destroyed. ” In 1903, Pankhurst became a co-founder of the VSPU Women's Social and Political Union. The main focus for them was to win the votes of women. She later said: "Our constant motto was to be deeds, not words." Being under arrest, Emmeline went on her first hunger strike. She withstood the oppression and cruelty of herself in order to give all women the right to vote.
Be sure to also look at our site thebiggest.ru an interesting article about the most famous women in history and modernity.
6
Josephine Baker
“In fact, I was not naked. I just didn't have any clothes on. ”
Her body ownership left no one indifferent. She was an excellent dancer. She was the highest paid chorus woman in vaudeville. Ernest Hemingway, the greatest womanizer, called her "the most incredible woman she has ever seen." Despite her popularity, the struggle of Rosa Parks was relevant for her. When she returned to America in the 1950s, she was denied 36 hotels. She refused ten thousandths of her fees, so as not to speak to a racially divided audience. Her threat did not change even by phone from the Klux Klan. In 1963, she stood next to Martin Luther King on a march to Washington. There she was the only official female speaker.
7
Malala Yusufzai
“I do not want to be remembered as the girl they shot at. I want to be remembered as a girl who rose "
On October 9, 2012, an armed man entered the Malala school bus in Pakistan. He asked her name and shot her in the head three times. What was she guilty of? She wanted to make education accessible to women. Fear evaporated, courage triumphed. This event was a turning point in our time. In 2013, Time magazine included Malala Yusufzai in the list of 100 most influential people in the world. On October 10, 2014, Malala received the Nobel Prize. At that time she was only 17 years old.
8
Amelia Earhart
“Women should try to do even what men have already tried to do. If someone failed to do something, this should serve as a challenge to others. ”
The first female aviator to cross the Atlantic alone in 1928. She was the sixth woman to receive a pilot's license. In 1931, Earhart joined the ninety-nine international organization of female pilots, while at the same time she set a world record for flying gyroplane altitude - a little more than 5.6 thousand meters.
Once she compared fears with paper tigers, she urged people to do what they really want, and not be afraid to lose. In 1937, Earhart attempted to circumnavigate the globe. She disappeared over the central part of the Pacific Ocean. She was never found. Her last failure, as she said, became a challenge for everyone.
9
Valentina Tereshkova
In 1963, Valentina, a former textile worker, became the first woman to be in space. She circled the Earth 48 times. She surpassed four American astronauts, who at that time had 36 revolutions around the Earth at all. In addition, she recorded more time for her flight than the total time of every American astronaut flying before her. And she was only 26 years old.
By the way, we already wrote about her in our article about the most famous women in modern history.
10
Frida Kahlo
“Legs, why do I need you if I have wings?”
To understand Frida, you need to understand her pain. No, this does not make her a victim of her own suffering, it's quite the opposite. The lot of trials fell on this woman. The worst of them is a bus accident, in which she received multiple injuries and after that year was bedridden. Her health problems remained for life.
She found herself in art. In her works, she talked about what was going on inside her. Her husband Diego Rivera said: “Her paintings speak of feminine qualities, feminine endurance. They are truthful, realistic, filled with cruelty and suffering. " Frida said she was drawing her own reality. Her paintings were bold: they depicted the duality of female experience. In some respects, Frida's art is not only a rose petal, but also a thorn.
11
Florence Nightingale
“The most important rule in the hospital: it should in no case be harmful to patients”
Florence Nightingale strongly wanted to become a nurse. When the Crimean War broke out in 1853, Florence became one of the 38 nurses in the Turkish military hospital. Women were first allowed to participate in hostilities. She significantly improved the quality of nursing care in military hospitals, and later, in 1959, she published a book called Care Notes. The book has still not lost its relevance. And she was the first woman to join the Royal Statistical Society, it happened in 1858.
12
Elizabeth Taylor
“I went through all this, honey, I’m Mother Courage.”
Elizabeth has built an incredible career in cinema. The American Film Institute in 1999 awarded her 7th place in the list of greatest stars in the history of cinema.
In 1976, she wanted to help Jewish passengers on an Air France plane taken hostage by terrorists. She personally addressed the Israeli ambassador, Simha Dinitz, with a proposal to exchange her for hostages. The offer was rejected, but Simhu then noted: "The Jewish people will never forget this."
After meeting Michael Jackson in the 1980s, they created several charitable projects together. In total, the fund raised over $ 120 million to fight AIDS.
13
Coco Chanel
“The boldest thing is to think for yourself. Aloud"
Coco Chanel challenged the gender norms of her time, her clothes freed the female body and redesigned its silhouette. Menswear has become feminine: Breton tops, sweaters, trousers, flat shoes and suits. Her image - a boyish figure, short hair and tanned skin - quickly gained popularity. It was an act of rejection of the female ideal prevailing at that time.
14
Maria Sklodowska Curie
“Now is the time to learn more, to be less afraid”
Marie Curie received two Nobel Peace Prizes: in 1903 and 1911, but this did not free her from pressure from men. She fought sexism throughout her career. “I was often asked, especially women, how I can combine family life with a career in the scientific world,” Curie said. Indeed, this was not easy for her, but the critics did not particularly care about her.
Maria’s research has made a huge contribution to radiography and surgery. During World War I, she helped equip ambulances with X-ray machines and even drove them to the front lines.
15
Elizabeth I
Her father was Henry VIII - one of the most cruel kings ever seated on the throne of England, and the queen, who led the church to split in two. Elizabeth was the longest-reigning monarch of England (44 years old), during her reign she restored stability in the state. This time was so significant that it is simply called the "Elizabethan" or "Golden Age". And, most importantly, she did it without a man. She announced that she was married to her kingdom. For decades she was feared and revered in the same way as Henry VIII - her father.
16
Edith Cavell
“I understand that this patriotism is not enough. I should not have any animosity or anger towards anyone ”
Found guilty of treason. Sentenced to death and executed at the age of 49. This cruel punishment was received by nurse Edith Cavell for her activities at the Red Cross Hospital. She worked there during the First World War, saving the lives of soldiers from both sides without any discrimination. Her famous words: “I can’t stop while there are lives that need to be saved.”
17
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa personifies selflessness. She devoted her whole life to helping the poor and destitute. Born into a wealthy family, she lived a modest life as a Catholic nun, who from childhood dreamed of helping people. She was also honored with a well-deserved Nobel Prize in 1979 for her lifelong charitable missions. The nun died in 1997 at the age of 87, leaving behind more than 600 representations in 123 countries. And in 1996, Mother Teresa was canonized by the Catholic Church. Although, according to some sources, Mother Teresa often thought about God, casting doubt on his existence. And yet it never stopped her from doing good deeds!
18
Marilyn Monroe
A beautiful actress and intelligent woman, she broke the stereotypes of a “dumb blonde” in Hollywood. Despite her well-known image and manner of behavior, her stellar image was only a well-thought-out act. In life, she was completely different, but not everyone knew about it - the actress was so able to convince the audience with her play that she simply could not believe that the real personality of the star was different. Monroe was a very smart, strong and courageous woman. Although she did not have an official education, which the actress was very worried about. Not only that, she was a fierce advocate of civil rights. Marilyn showed the world that skin color should not be a deterrent to equal privileges.
Finally
This, of course, is only a small part of those brave and strong women whose stories can be role models for many more generations. What is the feat of many Soviet women during the Great Patriotic War. And which women would you set as an example, adding to this list? We are waiting for your answers in the comments.