Inspiring women with inspiring stories who have shaped the world through time
When opening a history book, our realities are transformed by the knowledge we learn about the World that came before us. Many crucial discoveries, wars, celebrations, and lives are commemorated on the pages, allowing us to discover more about the people who helped shape civilisation until today.
Yet, the history we are taught rarely paints the whole picture of the sacrifices made. We learn of great men who were inventors who paved the way in their fields and warriors who fought hard for their countries, but are left pondering the contributions made by the women of the past.
Though their names fail to appear in many texts, a lot of society today has been impacted greatly by the lives and works of many women from around the world.
With Women’s History Month coming to a close, here are 9 (actually, 10) women in history you may not have read about that deserve to be remembered for their influences on humanity.
Josephine baker
Josephine Baker was one of the most successful African-American entertainers in the 1900s. After leaving her family at 15 in search of a better life, Baker joined a theatre group and began performing as a dancer across America.
Her success allowed her to move to New York City, and later Paris, where Baker soon became one of the most sought-after performers.
After already breaking barriers by finding success with performances featuring African influences, Baker took a step further in cementing her role in history by becoming a spy during World War 2.
Baker would report secrets she had overheard whilst performing to German soldiers and would often relay important messages by using invisible ink to write on her music sheets.
After returning to the States to continue her career, Baker once again faced segregation and discrimination due to her race. She would often refuse to perform in segregated venues, and many clubs began to integrate their audiences for her shows.
Her opposition against segregation and discrimination was recognised by the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP).
Huda Sha'arawi
Sha’arawi spent her younger years living inside a harem and developing her dislike for the patriarchal society that had become the norm in Egypt in the late 1800s.
In 1908, she founded the first philanthropic organisation run by women. Two years later, Sha’arawi opened a school for girls to receive an education. During this time, she also worked with her husband, who was a politician, in the fight against British rule.
In 1919, Sha’arawi organised and led the largest women’s protest against British colonialism, aiding in Egypt’s independence.
Her influence on Egyptian society didn’t cease after Egypt’s fight for independence, as Sha’arawi returned her attention to advocating for women’s rights soon after. She continued to set up the Egypt Feminist Union – the first nationwide feminist movement that had occurred in Egypt – and inspired many women to take off their veils after publicly removing hers, despite wearing one being a requirement at the time.
Rachel Carson
Rachel Caron was a prolific writer and scientist from the 20th Century who made discoveries within her work that are still celebrated to this day.
Originally an English major at University, Carson switched her major to Biology before completing a master’s degree in Zoology in 1932 and finding work as an aquatic biologist in the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries.
Her 1951 book ‘The Sea around Us’ earned Carson a National Book award for her writing, however, it was her 1962 book which catapulted her into the history books. ‘Silent Spring’ explored environmental issues within the United States, exposing her readers to several health concerns for the first time.
In her book, Carson explored the topic of the harm caused by synthetic pesticides to humans and wildlife, revealing that the US Chemical industry was spreading misinformation to its citizens.
Her writing led to the nationwide ban on DDT, a cancer-causing insecticide. She also inspired the founding of The Environmental Protection Agency and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Jimmy Carter posthumously.
Fatima al-Fihri
Though not much is known about Fatima al-Fihri, it’s clear from the information we do have that she was a true pioneer.
Born in 9th-century Morocco, al-Fihri was the daughter of a wealthy merchant from Tunisia. Her childhood went by with little to note, however, al-Fihri quickly grew to become an influential figure after founding and establishing the al-Qarawiyyin mosque in 859 AD in Fez, Morocco. The mosque later became the al-Qarawiyyin University, which is now recognised as the oldest university in the World that has survived to this day.
As well as providing an education to the Arab community, the university was also a crucial establishment in the exchange of Muslim and Christian cultures, with many noteworthy graduates having gone on to contribute greatly to society in their own ways.
Fatima al-Fihri is a symbol of great generosity and dedication to your morals and society, with the university serving as a lasting reminder of the good to be done when providing support to others.
Shirley Chisolm
Shirley Chisolm was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1924. She started work in Childcare before eventually turning her attention to politics. She began her political career serving in the New York state assembly before successfully campaigning and becoming the first African American congresswoman in 1968.
Her time in Congress placed her at the forefront of many social battles in the country as she advocated for access to education, fought for minorities and rights for immigrants, and pushed forward a domestic worker benefits bill.
After making history a first time, Sirley Chisolm went on to establish her legacy even further by running for President in 1972, explaining how she was inspired to run “because most people thought the country was not ready for a black candidate, not ready for a woman candidate” to a reporter at the time.
Although her name isn’t taught in the education system, Shirley Chisolm’s mark on American politics was crucial in paving the way for the women and people of colour in politics that came after her.
Sarojini Naidu
Born in 1879, Sarojini Naidu was a poet, activist and politician widely known as ‘Bharatiya Kokila’ —the Nightingale of India.
She was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi and a supporter of his activism towards Indian independence from foreign rulers, establishing herself as a crucial figure in India’s fight against British colonialism.
Naidu would often travel to give lectures on welfare, women’s rights and empowerment, and nationalism to citizens of the country, earning herself the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal for her work during the country’s plague epidemic. She later went on to return the medal in 1919 in protest of the government’s response following the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
She went on to be the first Indian woman elected for President of the Indian National Congress – a major political party in the country – and released her writings in many books, some of which are still taught in academic classrooms today!
Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte
Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte (Omaha) played a pivotal role in breaking down barriers as a Native American, woman doctor in the 19th century.
Born and raised on Nebraska's Omaha reservation, Dr. Picotte left home at 14 to continue her education, graduating a year early and first in her class at the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania.
At 24, she returned home to Nebraska and became the only doctor for more than 1,200 people across more than 400 miles. During this time, she would make house calls on horseback.
At the same time, Dr. Picotte took pride in raising her own family. She married Henry Picotte and had two sons, whom she would occasionally bring on house calls with her.
She spent the majority of her life working to help those around her and raised donations towards the end of her life to open a hospital on a reservation in Walthill, Nebraska.
Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị
Born to a powerful Vietnamese lord, Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị are largely responsible for Vietnam’s fight for independence from Chinese rule in 40 A.D.
Trắc, the oldest of the two, worked ruthlessly to mobilise Vietnamese lords and citizens to rebel against the Chinese rule. By the time the uprising had begun, there were over 80,000 troops.
Out of everyone on board, the two sisters only elected 36 generals to lead the cause. All 36 were women.
They successfully reclaimed the land from the Chinese, and Trắc was elected Queen. During her reign, she abolished tribute taxes and reverted to a simpler government, putting an end to a large portion of suffering for the citizens of Vietnam.
After being defeated along with their troops in 43 A.D., Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị allegedly took their own lives – what was seen as an honourable death at the time. Their sacrifices are celebrated to this day in Vietnam, yet remain relatively unknown in other parts of the World.
Nezihe Muhiddin Tepedelengil
Tepedelengil was a famous writer and activist in Türkiye during the 1900s who played a crucial role in the suffragette movement of the country.
In 1923, she founded the first political party of the Turkish Republic, the Women’s People Party. However, her application to make the party official was rejected at the time after she was told women had no right to involve themselves in politics.
She then turned the party into the Turkish Women’s Union and began to help women in the country in a multitude of ways. She organised courses and conferences to educate, helped women into careers, and improved the quality of life for women until her union began facing backlash.
After a campaign to oust her began growing in support, Tepedelengil was removed from the union and spent the rest of her life facing criticism.
Her grave – which remained unfinished until 2016 – is a reminder of what she stood for, encompassing her last words: “Revolution without women is impossible.”
Such an interesting article and such a diverse group of women! Thank you for bringing these stories to my attention and well done on an engaging article.
What a lovely read. I only knew one of these women, so nice to learn something new and celebrate what women have been able to achieve.