http://www.ilovetunics.com/phenomenal-women/

A Red Cross nurse takes down the last words of a British soldier. [c. 1917

Keshia Thomas, 18, protects a white supremacist from an angry mob. [1996]
Anna Fisher, astronaut, with stars in her eyes on the cover of Life magazine in 1985. She was the first mother in space
Elizabeth Packard was locked up in a state insane asylum in Illinois from 1860 - 1863 for disagreeing with her husband over religion, child rearing, family finances, and the issue of slavery. jury declared her falsely imprisoned, and she was released in 1863. In a series of publications and public speeches, she campaigned for changes to laws and conditions in asylums
Fatima was the founder of the oldest degree-granting university in the world. After inheriting a large fortune, she wanted to devote her money to pious work that would benefit the community. Thus, with her wealth she built the Al Qarawiyyin mosque. From the 10th to 12th century, the mosque developed into a university -- Al Qarawiyyin University. This university to be the oldest continuously operating institution of higher education in the world.
Vivian Bullwinkel - WWII nurse. The only survivor to be shot at Banka Island in Singapore, only to surrender to the Japanese army again and placed in a POW camp for 3 years. A courageous nurse and a great Australian woman

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Shirin Ebadi - an Iranian lawyer, a former judge and human rights activist and founder of Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran. On 10 October 2003, Ebadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her significant and pioneering efforts for democracy and human rights, especially women's, children's, and refugee rights.

Night Witches. BA Lady Russian Bombers. They had the oldest, noisiest, crappiest planes. The engines would conk out halfway through their missions, so they had to climb out on the wings mid flight to restart the props. The planes were so noisy that to stop Germans from hearing them coming and start up their anti aircraft guns, they’d climb up to a certain height, coast down to german positions, drop their bombs, restart their engines in midair, and get the freak out of dodge.

An Australian woman stayed with her horse as the tide closed in while the animal was trapped in the mud for three hours. Miss Graham and her seven-year-old daughter Paris had been out riding along the coast at Avalon Beach on Corio Bay in Victoria, when both horses sank into the mud. The woman was able to help her daughter and the other horse on to firmer ground but Astro proved a different prospect.
Rescuers first tried to pull Astro free with fire hoses, then a winch, but eventually a vet had to sedate the horse and he was eventually pulled clear with a tractor after three hours, minutes before the tide reached him. Stacey Sullivan, the vet who sedated Astro, said he was dehydrated but coped with the ordeal.
Encased in a head-to-toe burqa, the image depicts a distraught woman slumped on a cement stairwell, the work of Afghanistan's first street artists who use graffiti to chronicle violence and oppression
Marie Kelleher. Ninety-nine years old and fit, and setting national (U.S.) records in swimming. ‎"With these swims she becomes the first female USMS [United States Masters Swimming] member to compete in the 100-104 age group." (USMS rules counts the swimmer's age as of December 31 for competitions held in 25-meter courses.)
Marlee Beth Matlin (born August 24, 1965) is an American actress. She is the only deaf performer to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, which she won for Children of a Lesser God.[1] At the age of 21, she became the youngest woman in history to win that award. Her work in film and television has resulted in a Golden Globe award, with two additional nominations, and four Emmy nominations. Deaf since she was 18 months old
THEY call her “Mighty Kacy” for a reason — this 45kg gymnast from Texas smashed a brutal obstacle course to become the first woman to qualify for the national American Ninja Warrior competition
James Barry was, in fact, a woman disguised as man in order to study medicine. In 1809 was admitted to Edinburgh University. After graduation, was assigned to various British colonies where noted for "his" care & struggle to improve the standard of life of patients. Died in 1865, after 46 years working as an army medical officer. Was then when her real identity, MARGARET ANN BULKLEY, was discovered. Among her many achievements she was the first British surgeon to perform a successful C-section
Tina Strobos, famous woman of the Dutch resistance who sheltered more than 100 Jews during the Holocaust, recently passed away at the age of 91. She risked her own life for total strangers. She found ingenious ways to forge travel documents. She let carpenters build hidden rooms in her own house. She was arrested multiple times and survived all the interrogations. Her house was searched multiple times. “I never believed in God,” she said, “but I believed in the sacredness of life.”
Lise Meitner (1878 - 1968) was an Austrian physicist who interpreted the data and worked out the mathematics to prove that atoms could be split. Although offered work on the Manhattan Project, she refused because she didn't want to work on a bomb. Because she fled the Nazis, her research partner got credit for the discovery and won a Nobel Prize

Katherine McCormick, first female biology graduate from MIT and millionaire philanthropist, plotted with Margaret Sanger to smuggle diaphragms from Canada into the US. Unlike condoms, diaphragms put control of fertility in women’s hands (and were commonly used in other Western countries, though illegal in the US in most circumstances). She later funded the research necessary to develop the first birth control pill. She had a profound impact on US society but her name is little known.
Dr. Ida Scudder, 1870-1960, founder of the CMC in Vellore, India. After unable to help three Indian women who died in childbirth, she dedicated her life to the plight of Indian women and the fight against bubonic plague, cholera and leprosy. Graduated Cornell Med. College, part of first class to accept women. In two years she treated 5,000 patients. She opened the Mary Taber Schell Hospital in 1902. For assisstance, she open a medical school for girls. Helped heal until she died in India.
Margaret "Molly" Brown - Most people will remember her from the Titanic. When Ship’s Quartermaster, Robert Hichens, refused to turn the lifeboat around to rescue other survivors, claiming that those floating in the water were merely “stiffs,” Margaret fiercely argued with him before seizing control of the rudder and ordering the other passengers to row back towards the wreck. When Hichens continued to protest, Margaret threatened to throw him overboard. Hichens reluctantly kept his mouth shut.
JOSEPHINE COCHRANE 1839-1913. In the 1870s, after her servants chipped some of the dishes ,while washing them, Cochrane refused to let them handled the china any more. One morning while up to her elbows in soap suds, she had an epiphany. Why not invent a dish washing machine? She received her first patent on the Garis-Cochran Dish-Washing Machine December 28, 1886. In 1916, her company was bought out by Hobart which became KitchenAid and is now Whirlpool Corporation
Anuradha Koirala. Founder and Director of Maiti Nepal. This group has rescued over 12,000 women and girls from sex slavery

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"Keiko Fukuda Shihan passed away at the age of 99. She was the last surviving student of the founder of judo, Jigoro Kano, and the highest ranking female judoka in history. She was promoted to 10th dan (degree) black belt just last year, a rank that at the time was held only by 3 other people, all men living in Japan. Fukuda Shihan left her homeland and refused marriage to achieve her dreams of training in judo, constantly battling gender discrimination which kept her from being promoted."
Empress Theodora - Born a peasant, so understood the lives of poor women. Created laws to protect women's lives. Laws included; death penalty for rape, children could not be sold into slavery/prostitution, protection fo women in divorce, right of women to inherit property, protection against abusive husbands
Fed up with a rape and epidemic forced marriages, Rebecca Lolosoli created a village, in 1991, just for women in the community of Umoja, Kenya. "Our village has turned into a shelter," Lolosoli says. "Women and girls fleeing forced marriages, or ostracized for being raped, or trying to save themselves from female genital mutilation, come to Umoja in Kenya for safety. Sons are welcome—as long as they are willing to follow the village's rules do not try to dominate the women.

Meet the “Chinese Joan of Arc,” Qiu Jin(1875-1907), a radical women’s rights activist who defied tradition to become the leader of a revolutionary army. Qiu Jin boldly challenged traditional gender roles and demanded equal rights and opportunities for women. She was the first woman to lead an armed uprising against the corrupt Qing Dynasty, for which she was arrested and executed. She became the first female martyr for China’s 1911 Revolution and is celebrated as a national heroine today
MEET THE “CHINESE JOAN OF ARC,” QIU JIN(1875-1907), A RADICAL WOMEN’S RIGHTS ACTIVIST WHO DEFIED TRADITION TO BECOME THE LEADER OF A REVOLUTIONARY ARMY. QIU JIN BOLDLY CHALLENGED TRADITIONAL GENDER ROLES AND DEMANDED EQUAL RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN. SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO LEAD AN ARMED UPRISING AGAINST THE CORRUPT QING DYNASTY, FOR WHICH SHE WAS ARRESTED AND EXECUTED. SHE BECAME THE FIRST FEMALE MARTYR FOR CHINA’S 1911 REVOLUTION AND IS CELEBRATED AS A NATIONAL HEROINE TODAY
Fe del Mundo, Harvard Medical School's first female student , was admitted because she was brilliant...and because they didn't realize she was a woman. Del Mundo founded the first pediatric hospital in the Philippines. She attended nine years before enrollment was opened to women.
FE DEL MUNDO, HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL'S FIRST FEMALE STUDENT , WAS ADMITTED BECAUSE SHE WAS BRILLIANT...AND BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T REALIZE SHE WAS A WOMAN. DEL MUNDO FOUNDED THE FIRST PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL IN THE PHILIPPINES. SHE ATTENDED NINE YEARS BEFORE ENROLLMENT WAS OPENED TO WOMEN.
Lou Xiaoying, now 88 and suffering from kidney failure , found and raised more than 30 abandoned Chinese babies from the streets of Jinhua where she managed to make a living by recycling rubbish
LOU XIAOYING, NOW 88 AND SUFFERING FROM KIDNEY FAILURE , FOUND AND RAISED MORE THAN 30 ABANDONED CHINESE BABIES FROM THE STREETS OF JINHUA WHERE SHE MANAGED TO MAKE A LIVING BY RECYCLING RUBBISH
Two Decades After Genocide, Rwanda’s Women Have Made the nation Thrive! Rwanda has the highest percentage of women appointed to government in the world. Women account for 64 percent of its parliament. Before the genocide, men made the moneymaking decisions. Now, with women at the helm, the income is being invested in families and households.
TWO DECADES AFTER GENOCIDE, RWANDA’S WOMEN HAVE MADE THE NATION THRIVE! RWANDA HAS THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN APPOINTED TO GOVERNMENT IN THE WORLD. WOMEN ACCOUNT FOR 64 PERCENT OF ITS PARLIAMENT. BEFORE THE GENOCIDE, MEN MADE THE MONEYMAKING DECISIONS. NOW, WITH WOMEN AT THE HELM, THE INCOME IS BEING INVESTED IN FAMILIES AND HOUSEHOLDS.
Elizabeth Eckford helped to change the world--A quality of courage that's hard to imagine. Elizabeth was one of the Little Rock Nine, a group of African-American students who, in 1957, were the first black students ever to attend classes at Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Her image was captured and shown around the world after photographer Will Counts snapped her being chased by an angry white mob down the street.
ELIZABETH ECKFORD HELPED TO CHANGE THE WORLD--A QUALITY OF COURAGE THAT'S HARD TO IMAGINE. ELIZABETH WAS ONE OF THE LITTLE ROCK NINE, A GROUP OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS WHO, IN 1957, WERE THE FIRST BLACK STUDENTS EVER TO ATTEND CLASSES AT LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL IN LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS. HER IMAGE WAS CAPTURED AND SHOWN AROUND THE WORLD AFTER PHOTOGRAPHER WILL COUNTS SNAPPED HER BEING CHASED BY AN ANGRY WHITE MOB DOWN THE STREET.
This is a photo of Susan B. Anthony in 1872 getting beaten and arrested for trying to vote when it was illegal for women to do so.---We've come a Long way ladies!
THIS IS A PHOTO OF SUSAN B. ANTHONY IN 1872 GETTING BEATEN AND ARRESTED FOR TRYING TO VOTE WHEN IT WAS ILLEGAL FOR WOMEN TO DO SO.---WE'VE COME A LONG WAY LADIES!

ON OCTOBER 9, 2012, MALALA YOUSAFZAI WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD AND NECK BY A TALIBAN ASSASSIN WHEN SHE WAS RETURNING HOME ON A SCHOOL BUS FULL OF STUDENTS. SHE SURVIVED THE BUT TALIBAN LEADERS HAVE VOWED TO CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS TO KILL YOUSAFZAI AND HER FATHER.
Shirley Chisholm, first African American woman elected to the U.S. Congress and and the first woman to run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972.
SHIRLEY CHISHOLM, FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN ELECTED TO THE U.S. CONGRESS AND AND THE FIRST WOMAN TO RUN FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION IN 1972.
Here's a Normandy Beach landing photo you hardly see in textbooks. Along with the male soldiers there were these brave remarkable women of the Red Cross who went along to help the injured troops
HERE'S A NORMANDY BEACH LANDING PHOTO YOU HARDLY SEE IN TEXTBOOKS. ALONG WITH THE MALE SOLDIERS THERE WERE THESE BRAVE REMARKABLE WOMEN OF THE RED CROSS WHO WENT ALONG TO HELP THE INJURED TROOPS
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Annie Besant, who lost custody of her children after publishing a book about birth control, fought for better working conditions for factory girls and joined the Indian National Congress in support of home rule.
ANNIE BESANT, WHO LOST CUSTODY OF HER CHILDREN AFTER PUBLISHING A BOOK ABOUT BIRTH CONTROL, FOUGHT FOR BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS FOR FACTORY GIRLS AND JOINED THE INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS IN SUPPORT OF HOME RULE.
Juana Galán was known for  beating Napoleon’s troops out of her village during the Battle of Valdepeñas in June, 1808. There weren’t enough men to defend the village from invading French. Juana, 21, immediately rallied all of the women in the village. When the French troops marched in, the women dumped boiling oil on top of them. Juana stood in the street with a large club and beat seven shades out of any French soldier that crossed her path. The French never returned.
JUANA GALÁN WAS KNOWN FOR  BEATING NAPOLEON’S TROOPS OUT OF HER VILLAGE DURING THE BATTLE OF VALDEPEÑAS IN JUNE, 1808. THERE WEREN’T ENOUGH MEN TO DEFEND THE VILLAGE FROM INVADING FRENCH. JUANA, 21, IMMEDIATELY RALLIED ALL OF THE WOMEN IN THE VILLAGE. WHEN THE FRENCH TROOPS MARCHED IN, THE WOMEN DUMPED BOILING OIL ON TOP OF THEM. JUANA STOOD IN THE STREET WITH A LARGE CLUB AND BEAT SEVEN SHADES OUT OF ANY FRENCH SOLDIER THAT CROSSED HER PATH. THE FRENCH NEVER RETURNED.
Awesomely!! Defiant -- Gloria Richardson pushes a bayonet out of her face during a 1963 civil rights protest in Maryland
AWESOMELY!! DEFIANT -- GLORIA RICHARDSON PUSHES A BAYONET OUT OF HER FACE DURING A 1963 CIVIL RIGHTS PROTEST IN MARYLAND
Funny! but sadly true at the same time
FUNNY! BUT SADLY TRUE AT THE SAME TIME
Septima Zenobia governed Syria from about 250 to 275 AD. She led her armies on horseback wearing full armor and during Claudius’ reign defeated the Roman legions so decisively that they retreated from much of Asia Minor.
SEPTIMA ZENOBIA GOVERNED SYRIA FROM ABOUT 250 TO 275 AD. SHE LED HER ARMIES ON HORSEBACK WEARING FULL ARMOR AND DURING CLAUDIUS’ REIGN DEFEATED THE ROMAN LEGIONS SO DECISIVELY THAT THEY RETREATED FROM MUCH OF ASIA MINOR.
Victoria Woodhull- First female wallstreet broker. Made millions and became an activist. Campaigned for "free love." Defined it as a woman's right to marry for love, divorce if she was abused, and choose her partner. She was ostracized and even jailed for this thinking. Born: September 23, 1838, Homer Died: June 9, 1927, Bredon
VICTORIA WOODHULL- FIRST FEMALE WALLSTREET BROKER. MADE MILLIONS AND BECAME AN ACTIVIST. CAMPAIGNED FOR "FREE LOVE." DEFINED IT AS A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO MARRY FOR LOVE, DIVORCE IF SHE WAS ABUSED, AND CHOOSE HER PARTNER. SHE WAS OSTRACIZED AND EVEN JAILED FOR THIS THINKING. BORN: SEPTEMBER 23, 1838, HOMER DIED: JUNE 9, 1927, BREDON
A woman defends a wounded protester from a military bulldozer [Egypt, 2013

Stefanie (Fusia) Podgorska . . . During the Holocaust, sixteen-year-old Stefania and her six-year-old sister harboured thirteen Jewish men, women and children in the attic of their home for two-and-a-half years. Both were later honored as the Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem as well as by the Jewish and Polish organizations in North America, for their wartime heroism
Nov 4, 1965. Chaplain John McNamara administers the last rites to photographer Dickey Chapelle in South Vietnam. She became the first female war correspondent to be killed in Vietnam and the first American female reporter to be killed in action. She was given a full marine burial. Photo by Henri Huet who was later also killed in action in Vietnam.
Emilie Louise Floge was noted for her designs and creation of "reform dresses" - a sharp departure from that era's style of corsets and cumbersome full skirts. Her radical aesthetic of loose-fitting, flowing dresses made her a celebrated figure in the Viennese feminist groups and the artists and crafters of the Wiener Werkstatte. Sharing the boat is Gustav Klimt, her close friend who often painted her.

Viola Smith, 100 years old. One of the first female professional drummers, she graced the cover of Billboard Magazine in 1940.
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Maria Gaetana Agnesi (1718-1799) Was one of 24 children born to a mathematics professor in Bologna. She was a prodigy, speaking at least six languages by age 11. Later interests included geometry and ballistics. Encouraged by her father, she spoke at public debates. She devoted herself to mathematics and, in 1748, published a widely praised book on analytical mathematics. In 1750, she was appointed professor of mathematics and philosophy at Bologna University.
Lillian Moller Gilbreth. In 1915 earned a PhD in industrial psychology from Brown Univ., the first degree EVER in that field. First American engineer to combine the fields of psychology and scientific management. Partnered w/ her husband in their management consulting firm. She did volunteer work and projects for the government. All this while giving birth to and raising TWELVE children--only one of whom was born in a hospital.
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Barbara Henry here with Ruby Bridges forty years later. Teachers at William Frantz Elementary School refused to accept the six year old as a student, (cheers for devoted teachers). Ms Henry was the only teacher willing to teach Ruby Bridges in 1960
BARBARA HENRY HERE WITH RUBY BRIDGES FORTY YEARS LATER. TEACHERS AT WILLIAM FRANTZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE SIX YEAR OLD AS A STUDENT, (CHEERS FOR DEVOTED TEACHERS). MS HENRY WAS THE ONLY TEACHER WILLING TO TEACH RUBY BRIDGES IN 1960
Irena Sendler 1910-2008 A 98 year-old German woman named Irena Sendler recently died. During WWII, Irena worked in the Warsaw Ghetto as a plumbing/sewer specialist. Irena smuggled Jewish children out; infants in the bottom of the tool box she carried and older children in a burlap sack she carried in the back of her truck. She also had a dog in the back that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto.During her time and course of doing this, she managed to smuggle out and save 2500 kids/infants. She was caught, and the Nazi's broke both her legs, and arms, and beat her severely
IRENA SENDLER 1910-2008 A 98 YEAR-OLD GERMAN WOMAN NAMED IRENA SENDLER RECENTLY DIED. DURING WWII, IRENA WORKED IN THE WARSAW GHETTO AS A PLUMBING/SEWER SPECIALIST. IRENA SMUGGLED JEWISH CHILDREN OUT; INFANTS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TOOL BOX SHE CARRIED AND OLDER CHILDREN IN A BURLAP SACK SHE CARRIED IN THE BACK OF HER TRUCK. SHE ALSO HAD A DOG IN THE BACK THAT SHE TRAINED TO BARK WHEN THE NAZI SOLDIERS LET HER IN AND OUT OF THE GHETTO.DURING HER TIME AND COURSE OF DOING THIS, SHE MANAGED TO SMUGGLE OUT AND SAVE 2500 KIDS/INFANTS. SHE WAS CAUGHT, AND THE NAZI'S BROKE BOTH HER LEGS, AND ARMS, AND BEAT HER SEVERELY
Hitler called her "The most dangerous woman in Europe." At The Queens Head pub in Stepney, in London's East End, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother enjoyed a pint of bitter, which she pulled herself. (That's the much-missed late mother of QE II, who famously refused to leave London during the Blitz, or even to send her daughters to the safety of Canada, saying ""The children won't go without me. I won't leave the King. And the King will never leave."
HITLER CALLED HER "THE MOST DANGEROUS WOMAN IN EUROPE." AT THE QUEENS HEAD PUB IN STEPNEY, IN LONDON'S EAST END, HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER ENJOYED A PINT OF BITTER, WHICH SHE PULLED HERSELF. (THAT'S THE MUCH-MISSED LATE MOTHER OF QE II, WHO FAMOUSLY REFUSED TO LEAVE LONDON DURING THE BLITZ, OR EVEN TO SEND HER DAUGHTERS TO THE SAFETY OF CANADA, SAYING ""THE CHILDREN WON'T GO WITHOUT ME. I WON'T LEAVE THE KING. AND THE KING WILL NEVER LEAVE."
HEROISM! - Stephanie Decker shielded her two children from a deadly tornado saving their lives but losing her legs and nearly bleeding to death in the process. She told TODAY she's no hero -- just a mom. Moms are Heroes!
HEROISM! - STEPHANIE DECKER SHIELDED HER TWO CHILDREN FROM A DEADLY TORNADO SAVING THEIR LIVES BUT LOSING HER LEGS AND NEARLY BLEEDING TO DEATH IN THE PROCESS. SHE TOLD TODAY SHE'S NO HERO -- JUST A MOM. MOMS ARE HEROES!
The red poppy is famous in many countries as a symbol of remembrance to commemorate those who have died in war but few people know the story of the woman who first gave the poppy this significance. Moina Michael, an American professor and humanitarian who devoted her life to ensuring that war veterans were remembered, established the memorial poppy leading to her nickname, the Poppy Lady.
THE RED POPPY IS FAMOUS IN MANY COUNTRIES AS A SYMBOL OF REMEMBRANCE TO COMMEMORATE THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN WAR BUT FEW PEOPLE KNOW THE STORY OF THE WOMAN WHO FIRST GAVE THE POPPY THIS SIGNIFICANCE. MOINA MICHAEL, AN AMERICAN PROFESSOR AND HUMANITARIAN WHO DEVOTED HER LIFE TO ENSURING THAT WAR VETERANS WERE REMEMBERED, ESTABLISHED THE MEMORIAL POPPY LEADING TO HER NICKNAME, THE POPPY LADY.
Hiuaz Kairovna Dospanova (1922-2008), the only female pilot and navigator from Kazakhstan to serve during the Second World War. Dospanova made more than 300 combat missions and was seriously injured in April 1943 while making a landing in blackout conditions; she survived the crash but fractured both legs. Three months later, she returned to the regiment to continue fighting, going all the way to Berlin for the victory.
HIUAZ KAIROVNA DOSPANOVA (1922-2008), THE ONLY FEMALE PILOT AND NAVIGATOR FROM KAZAKHSTAN TO SERVE DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR. DOSPANOVA MADE MORE THAN 300 COMBAT MISSIONS AND WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN APRIL 1943 WHILE MAKING A LANDING IN BLACKOUT CONDITIONS; SHE SURVIVED THE CRASH BUT FRACTURED BOTH LEGS. THREE MONTHS LATER, SHE RETURNED TO THE REGIMENT TO CONTINUE FIGHTING, GOING ALL THE WAY TO BERLIN FOR THE VICTORY.
an American real estate developer, rancher, viticulturist & inventor of the windshield wiper blade. In November 1903 Anderson was granted her first patent for an automatic car window cleaning device controlled inside the car, called the windshield wiper. She was teased & laughed at by many people because of her idea -- many felt the movement of the windshield wipers would distract the drivers.
AN AMERICAN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER, RANCHER, VITICULTURIST & INVENTOR OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE. IN NOVEMBER 1903 ANDERSON WAS GRANTED HER FIRST PATENT FOR AN AUTOMATIC CAR WINDOW CLEANING DEVICE CONTROLLED INSIDE THE CAR, CALLED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. SHE WAS TEASED & LAUGHED AT BY MANY PEOPLE BECAUSE OF HER IDEA -- MANY FELT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD DISTRACT THE DRIVERS.
An Indian woman, a Japanese woman, and a Syrian woman, all training to be doctors at Women’s Medical College of Philadelphia. - October 10, 1885
AN INDIAN WOMAN, A JAPANESE WOMAN, AND A SYRIAN WOMAN, ALL TRAINING TO BE DOCTORS AT WOMEN’S MEDICAL COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA. - OCTOBER 10, 1885
On 24 Sept. 1944, 1st Lt. Mary Louise Hawkins was evacuating 24 patients from the fighting at Palau to Guadalcanal when the C-47 made a forced landing. During the landing, a propeller tore through the fuselage and severed the trachea of one patient. She made a suction tube from various items and with it she kept the man’s throat clear of blood for 19 hours. All of her patients survived. For her actions, she received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
ON 24 SEPT. 1944, 1ST LT. MARY LOUISE HAWKINS WAS EVACUATING 24 PATIENTS FROM THE FIGHTING AT PALAU TO GUADALCANAL WHEN THE C-47 MADE A FORCED LANDING. DURING THE LANDING, A PROPELLER TORE THROUGH THE FUSELAGE AND SEVERED THE TRACHEA OF ONE PATIENT. SHE MADE A SUCTION TUBE FROM VARIOUS ITEMS AND WITH IT SHE KEPT THE MAN’S THROAT CLEAR OF BLOOD FOR 19 HOURS. ALL OF HER PATIENTS SURVIVED. FOR HER ACTIONS, SHE RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.
Indian Girl, 13, Enrolls in Master’s Program: Sushma Verma, 13, hails from a poor family in northern India, but she hasn’t let that stop her from enrolling in a master’s-degree program in microbiology. Yes, that’s right. Verma graduated high school at age 7, finished college by 13, and is set to begin her master’s studies at Lucknow’s B.R. Ambedkar Central University
INDIAN GIRL, 13, ENROLLS IN MASTER’S PROGRAM: SUSHMA VERMA, 13, HAILS FROM A POOR FAMILY IN NORTHERN INDIA, BUT SHE HASN’T LET THAT STOP HER FROM ENROLLING IN A MASTER’S-DEGREE PROGRAM IN MICROBIOLOGY. YES, THAT’S RIGHT. VERMA GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL AT AGE 7, FINISHED COLLEGE BY 13, AND IS SET TO BEGIN HER MASTER’S STUDIES AT LUCKNOW’S B.R. AMBEDKAR CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
During the violent months preceding the liberation of Paris, New Zealander Nancy Wake killed a German guard with a single karate chop to the neck, executed a woman who had been spying for the Germans, shot her way out of roadblocks and biked 70 hours through perilous Nazi checkpoints to deliver radio codes for the Allies. She lived to be 98.
DURING THE VIOLENT MONTHS PRECEDING THE LIBERATION OF PARIS, NEW ZEALANDER NANCY WAKE KILLED A GERMAN GUARD WITH A SINGLE KARATE CHOP TO THE NECK, EXECUTED A WOMAN WHO HAD BEEN SPYING FOR THE GERMANS, SHOT HER WAY OUT OF ROADBLOCKS AND BIKED 70 HOURS THROUGH PERILOUS NAZI CHECKPOINTS TO DELIVER RADIO CODES FOR THE ALLIES. SHE LIVED TO BE 98.
Aimee Mullins has amazing athletic accomplishments, a successful modeling career, and has earned accolades as a motivational speaker. They are such great accomplishments that some people are surprised when they learn that this pillar of strength stands atop prosthetic legs.
AIMEE MULLINS HAS AMAZING ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS, A SUCCESSFUL MODELING CAREER, AND HAS EARNED ACCOLADES AS A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER. THEY ARE SUCH GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED WHEN THEY LEARN THAT THIS PILLAR OF STRENGTH STANDS ATOP PROSTHETIC LEGS.
Olympe de Gouges was the author of the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen in 1791. The pamphlet criticized the failure of the male revolutionaries to extend their righteous ideals of equality to include women.
OLYMPE DE GOUGES WAS THE AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN AND THE FEMALE CITIZEN IN 1791. THE PAMPHLET CRITICIZED THE FAILURE OF THE MALE REVOLUTIONARIES TO EXTEND THEIR RIGHTEOUS IDEALS OF EQUALITY TO INCLUDE WOMEN.
Queen Nanny (approx. 1685-1755) was a leader of the Maroons in Jamaica. The Maroons were considered defiant Jamaican slaves who fled from the oppressive plantations and formed their own community in the hills. As a revolt leader, Nanny aided in the defeat of the British army in several battles. Over a 50 year span, Nanny has been credited with freeing over 800 slaves. The government of Jamaica declared Nanny a National Heroine in 1976. Her portrait graces the $500 Jamaican dollar bill.
QUEEN NANNY (APPROX. 1685-1755) WAS A LEADER OF THE MAROONS IN JAMAICA. THE MAROONS WERE CONSIDERED DEFIANT JAMAICAN SLAVES WHO FLED FROM THE OPPRESSIVE PLANTATIONS AND FORMED THEIR OWN COMMUNITY IN THE HILLS. AS A REVOLT LEADER, NANNY AIDED IN THE DEFEAT OF THE BRITISH ARMY IN SEVERAL BATTLES. OVER A 50 YEAR SPAN, NANNY HAS BEEN CREDITED WITH FREEING OVER 800 SLAVES. THE GOVERNMENT OF JAMAICA DECLARED NANNY A NATIONAL HEROINE IN 1976. HER PORTRAIT GRACES THE $500 JAMAICAN DOLLAR BILL.
Dorothy Hodgkin worked out the structure of penicillin, insulin and vitamin B12. But when, after 31 years of work, she won the Nobel Prize for science in 1964 the Daily Mail chose to run the story under the headline "Oxford housewife wins Nobel"
DOROTHY HODGKIN WORKED OUT THE STRUCTURE OF PENICILLIN, INSULIN AND VITAMIN B12. BUT WHEN, AFTER 31 YEARS OF WORK, SHE WON THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR SCIENCE IN 1964 THE DAILY MAIL CHOSE TO RUN THE STORY UNDER THE HEADLINE "OXFORD HOUSEWIFE WINS NOBEL"
Clarissa Dickson Wright (24 June 1947 – 15 March 2014) was an English celebrity chef, television personality, businesswoman and formerly a barrister, best known as one half, with the late Jennifer Paterson, of the Two Fat Ladies. Having trained as a lawyer, Dickson Wright was at the time the youngest person to be called to the Bar, as well as being an accredited cricket umpire and one of only two women to become a Guild Butcher. She died on 15 March 2014 after some weeks in hospital
CLARISSA DICKSON WRIGHT (24 JUNE 1947 – 15 MARCH 2014) WAS AN ENGLISH CELEBRITY CHEF, TELEVISION PERSONALITY, BUSINESSWOMAN AND FORMERLY A BARRISTER, BEST KNOWN AS ONE HALF, WITH THE LATE JENNIFER PATERSON, OF THE TWO FAT LADIES. HAVING TRAINED AS A LAWYER, DICKSON WRIGHT WAS AT THE TIME THE YOUNGEST PERSON TO BE CALLED TO THE BAR, AS WELL AS BEING AN ACCREDITED CRICKET UMPIRE AND ONE OF ONLY TWO WOMEN TO BECOME A GUILD BUTCHER. SHE DIED ON 15 MARCH 2014 AFTER SOME WEEKS IN HOSPITAL
Courage to stand up! A woman hitting a skinhead with her handbag, Sweden, 1985. The woman was reportedly a concentration camp survivor
COURAGE TO STAND UP! A WOMAN HITTING A SKINHEAD WITH HER HANDBAG, SWEDEN, 1985. THE WOMAN WAS REPORTEDLY A CONCENTRATION CAMP SURVIVOR
Geraldine Hoff Doyle, was a 17 years (in 1942) while she was working at the American Broach & Machine Co. when a photographer snapped a pic of her on the job. That image used by J. Howard Miller for the “We Can Do It!” poster, released during World War II.
GERALDINE HOFF DOYLE, WAS A 17 YEARS (IN 1942) WHILE SHE WAS WORKING AT THE AMERICAN BROACH & MACHINE CO. WHEN A PHOTOGRAPHER SNAPPED A PIC OF HER ON THE JOB. THAT IMAGE USED BY J. HOWARD MILLER FOR THE “WE CAN DO IT!” POSTER, RELEASED DURING WORLD WAR II.
Meet Hawa Abdi. A woman who has never raised her fist in anger against another human being, but also one who could perform three C-sections on dirt-poor women, wash her hands, then go straight outside, stare down an army of gun-toting hardcore fanatical Somali militiamen, and with four words send them running for their lives on a light-speed rainbow of shame and self-loathing without even blinking. A woman once appropriately described once as “one part Mother Teresa, one part Rambo.”
MEET HAWA ABDI. A WOMAN WHO HAS NEVER RAISED HER FIST IN ANGER AGAINST ANOTHER HUMAN BEING, BUT ALSO ONE WHO COULD PERFORM THREE C-SECTIONS ON DIRT-POOR WOMEN, WASH HER HANDS, THEN GO STRAIGHT OUTSIDE, STARE DOWN AN ARMY OF GUN-TOTING HARDCORE FANATICAL SOMALI MILITIAMEN, AND WITH FOUR WORDS SEND THEM RUNNING FOR THEIR LIVES ON A LIGHT-SPEED RAINBOW OF SHAME AND SELF-LOATHING WITHOUT EVEN BLINKING. A WOMAN ONCE APPROPRIATELY DESCRIBED ONCE AS “ONE PART MOTHER TERESA, ONE PART RAMBO.”
Annette Kellerman: overcame childhood physical disabilities to become a professional swimmer, vaudeville and silent film star; first woman to wear a one-piece swimsuit (& consequently first to get arrested for it); first major actress to appear fully nude on camera; her water ballets are considered by many to have singlehandedly invented synchronized swimming; she dove into pools full of crocodiles and wrote aquatic fairy tales; a Harvard professor declared her “the perfect woman”
ANNETTE KELLERMAN: OVERCAME CHILDHOOD PHYSICAL DISABILITIES TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL SWIMMER, VAUDEVILLE AND SILENT FILM STAR; FIRST WOMAN TO WEAR A ONE-PIECE SWIMSUIT (& CONSEQUENTLY FIRST TO GET ARRESTED FOR IT); FIRST MAJOR ACTRESS TO APPEAR FULLY NUDE ON CAMERA; HER WATER BALLETS ARE CONSIDERED BY MANY TO HAVE SINGLEHANDEDLY INVENTED SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING; SHE DOVE INTO POOLS FULL OF CROCODILES AND WROTE AQUATIC FAIRY TALES; A HARVARD PROFESSOR DECLARED HER “THE PERFECT WOMAN”
Kate Sheppard: 1847-1934; Kate Sheppard was the most prominent member of New Zealand's women's suffrage movement, and is the country's most famous suffragette. She also appears on the NZ ten dollar note. Because New Zealand was the first country to introduce universal suffrage, Sheppard's work had a considerable impact on women's suffrage movements in other countries
KATE SHEPPARD: 1847-1934; KATE SHEPPARD WAS THE MOST PROMINENT MEMBER OF NEW ZEALAND'S WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT, AND IS THE COUNTRY'S MOST FAMOUS SUFFRAGETTE. SHE ALSO APPEARS ON THE NZ TEN DOLLAR NOTE. BECAUSE NEW ZEALAND WAS THE FIRST COUNTRY TO INTRODUCE UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE, SHEPPARD'S WORK HAD A CONSIDERABLE IMPACT ON WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER COUNTRIES
Mary Shelley (1797-1851) was an English writer. Shelley had an unhappy childhood after her mother, feminist Mary Wollstonecraft died. At age 16, she ran away to Europe with the poet Percy Bysshe. One summer they shared a house in Switzerland with other poets and thinkers including Lord Byron. While there, Mary wrote one of the most famous horror stories of all time, about a man called Frankenstein and the terrible monster he created
MARY SHELLEY (1797-1851) WAS AN ENGLISH WRITER. SHELLEY HAD AN UNHAPPY CHILDHOOD AFTER HER MOTHER, FEMINIST MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT DIED. AT AGE 16, SHE RAN AWAY TO EUROPE WITH THE POET PERCY BYSSHE. ONE SUMMER THEY SHARED A HOUSE IN SWITZERLAND WITH OTHER POETS AND THINKERS INCLUDING LORD BYRON. WHILE THERE, MARY WROTE ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS HORROR STORIES OF ALL TIME, ABOUT A MAN CALLED FRANKENSTEIN AND THE TERRIBLE MONSTER HE CREATED
Odette Hallowes was born in France in 1912 and moved to London in the 1930s; during the war she was recruited as a secret agent for the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and became one of few female secret agents parachuted into France by SOE. Odette left for France in 1942, leaving her young family behind. When her spy network was exposed, she was imprisoned by the Gestapo and later sent to Ravensbrück, where was she was kept and tortured for four years
ODETTE HALLOWES WAS BORN IN FRANCE IN 1912 AND MOVED TO LONDON IN THE 1930S; DURING THE WAR SHE WAS RECRUITED AS A SECRET AGENT FOR THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE (SOE) AND BECAME ONE OF FEW FEMALE SECRET AGENTS PARACHUTED INTO FRANCE BY SOE. ODETTE LEFT FOR FRANCE IN 1942, LEAVING HER YOUNG FAMILY BEHIND. WHEN HER SPY NETWORK WAS EXPOSED, SHE WAS IMPRISONED BY THE GESTAPO AND LATER SENT TO RAVENSBRÜCK, WHERE WAS SHE WAS KEPT AND TORTURED FOR FOUR YEARS
In 1967, Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to run the Boston marathon. After realizing that a woman was running, race organizer Jock Semple went after Switzer shouting, “Get the hell out of my race and give me those numbers.” However, Switzer’s boyfriend and other male runners provided a protective shield during the entire marathon.The photographs taken of the incident made world headlines, and Kathrine later won the 1974 NYC marathon (women's division) with a time of 3:07:29
IN 1967, KATHRINE SWITZER WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO RUN THE BOSTON MARATHON. AFTER REALIZING THAT A WOMAN WAS RUNNING, RACE ORGANIZER JOCK SEMPLE WENT AFTER SWITZER SHOUTING, “GET THE HELL OUT OF MY RACE AND GIVE ME THOSE NUMBERS.” HOWEVER, SWITZER’S BOYFRIEND AND OTHER MALE RUNNERS PROVIDED A PROTECTIVE SHIELD DURING THE ENTIRE MARATHON.THE PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN OF THE INCIDENT MADE WORLD HEADLINES, AND KATHRINE LATER WON THE 1974 NYC MARATHON (WOMEN'S DIVISION) WITH A TIME OF 3:07:29
The Gulabi gang was founded by Sampat Pal Devi, a mother of five and former government health worker (as well as a former child bride), as a response to widespread domestic abuse and other violence against women. Gulabis visit abusive husbands and threaten to beat them with laathis (sticks) unless they stop abusing their wives. In 2008, they stormed an electricity office in Banda district and forced officials to turn back on the power they had cut in order to extract bribes
THE GULABI GANG WAS FOUNDED BY SAMPAT PAL DEVI, A MOTHER OF FIVE AND FORMER GOVERNMENT HEALTH WORKER (AS WELL AS A FORMER CHILD BRIDE), AS A RESPONSE TO WIDESPREAD DOMESTIC ABUSE AND OTHER VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. GULABIS VISIT ABUSIVE HUSBANDS AND THREATEN TO BEAT THEM WITH LAATHIS (STICKS) UNLESS THEY STOP ABUSING THEIR WIVES. IN 2008, THEY STORMED AN ELECTRICITY OFFICE IN BANDA DISTRICT AND FORCED OFFICIALS TO TURN BACK ON THE POWER THEY HAD CUT IN ORDER TO EXTRACT BRIBES
Oseola McCarty worked all her life cleaning other women's houses. She lived very frugally, and from her savings, donated $150,000 to the University of Southern Mississippi for scholarship. “I want to help somebody’s child go to college,” she said. “I’m giving it away so that the children won’t have to work so hard, like I did.”
OSEOLA MCCARTY WORKED ALL HER LIFE CLEANING OTHER WOMEN'S HOUSES. SHE LIVED VERY FRUGALLY, AND FROM HER SAVINGS, DONATED $150,000 TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI FOR SCHOLARSHIP. “I WANT TO HELP SOMEBODY’S CHILD GO TO COLLEGE,” SHE SAID. “I’M GIVING IT AWAY SO THAT THE CHILDREN WON’T HAVE TO WORK SO HARD, LIKE I DID.”
Clara Barton:1821-1912) - Civil War nurse, founder of the American Red Cross. Barton refused to take a salary from the government's treasury & dedicated herself aiding soldiers on the front.  Never had women been allowed in hospitals, camps or battlefields;  initially, military & civil officials refused her help.  Eventually, she gained their trust & began receiving supplies from all over the country.  As a result of her untiring work, she became known as the "Angel of the Battlefield."
CLARA BARTON:1821-1912) - CIVIL WAR NURSE, FOUNDER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS. BARTON REFUSED TO TAKE A SALARY FROM THE GOVERNMENT'S TREASURY & DEDICATED HERSELF AIDING SOLDIERS ON THE FRONT.  NEVER HAD WOMEN BEEN ALLOWED IN HOSPITALS, CAMPS OR BATTLEFIELDS;  INITIALLY, MILITARY & CIVIL OFFICIALS REFUSED HER HELP.  EVENTUALLY, SHE GAINED THEIR TRUST & BEGAN RECEIVING SUPPLIES FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.  AS A RESULT OF HER UNTIRING WORK, SHE BECAME KNOWN AS THE "ANGEL OF THE BATTLEFIELD."
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Helen Brooke Taussig (1898-1986) was an American cardiologist, working in Baltimore and Boston, who founded the field of pediatric cardiology. Notably, she is credited with developing the concept for a procedure that would extend the lives of children born with Tetrology of Fallot (also known as blue baby syndrome). This concept was applied in practice as a procedure known as the Blalock-Taussig shunt.

Suffragette, Britain, 1911. Women of Britain & the U.S., never waste your right to vote. These women fought, died and starved for a right we now take for granted. It's a right still denied to millions of women around the world.
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson. On September 28th, 1865, after trying repeatedly to get a medical degree but getting turned down because of her sex, took the Society of Aphothecaries exam and became the first woman physician in England. She was co-founder of the first hospital staffed by women, first Dean of a British medical school, first woman M.D. in France, first woman in Britain to be elected to a school board and, as Mayor of Aldeburgh, the first female mayor and magistrate in Britain.
Dr. Shirley Jackson Born: Washington, D.C. Jackson started to conduct successful experiments in theoretical physics and then started to use her knowledge in physics to start making advances in telecommunications while working at Bell Laboratories. These inventions include developments in the portable fax, touch tone telephone, solar cell, and the fiber optic cables used to provide clarity in overseas telephone calls. She has also helped make possible Caller ID and Call Waiting.
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Dr. Leila Denmark, the world's oldest practicing physician when she retired at age 103, died on April 1, 2012. She was 114. She treated some of Atlanta's poorest children as a volunteer at the Central Presbyterian Baby Clinic near the state capitol in Atlanta. Mill workers and other poor people who had no other way to get medical care would bring their sick children to the clinic.
Sultan Raziyya was the Sultan of Delhi from 1236-1240. She refused to be addressed as Sultana because it meant "wife or mistress of a sultan" only answered to the title "Sultan." She believed that appropriating a masculine image would help her maintain control, so she dressed like a man wore a turban, trousers, coat sword. Contrary to custom, she appeared unveiled in public. She established schools, academies, centers for research public libraries.
SULTAN RAZIYYA WAS THE SULTAN OF DELHI FROM 1236-1240. SHE REFUSED TO BE ADDRESSED AS SULTANA BECAUSE IT MEANT "WIFE OR MISTRESS OF A SULTAN" ONLY ANSWERED TO THE TITLE "SULTAN." SHE BELIEVED THAT APPROPRIATING A MASCULINE IMAGE WOULD HELP HER MAINTAIN CONTROL, SO SHE DRESSED LIKE A MAN WORE A TURBAN, TROUSERS, COAT SWORD. CONTRARY TO CUSTOM, SHE APPEARED UNVEILED IN PUBLIC. SHE ESTABLISHED SCHOOLS, ACADEMIES, CENTERS FOR RESEARCH PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
Artist Beatrice Wood. What an inspiration ❤ Her most productive years were from age 80 to 105. "I owe it all to art books, chocolate and young men."
ARTIST BEATRICE WOOD. WHAT AN INSPIRATION ❤ HER MOST PRODUCTIVE YEARS WERE FROM AGE 80 TO 105. "I OWE IT ALL TO ART BOOKS, CHOCOLATE AND YOUNG MEN."
Not just your average stern grandmother! Harriet Tubman, slave, abolitionist, spy and 1st woman to lead an armed expedition during war. Born into slavery, she was beaten, 'hired out' and suffered seizures from being hit by a heavy weight. After escaping, she later made 19 trips to rescue a total of over 300 slaves, sometimes using the Underground Railroad. Called 'Black Moses', she carried a gun and threatened to shoot any slave who would turn back. She was a Union spy during the Civil War and struggled for women's suffrage.
NOT JUST YOUR AVERAGE STERN GRANDMOTHER! HARRIET TUBMAN, SLAVE, ABOLITIONIST, SPY AND 1ST WOMAN TO LEAD AN ARMED EXPEDITION DURING WAR. BORN INTO SLAVERY, SHE WAS BEATEN, 'HIRED OUT' AND SUFFERED SEIZURES FROM BEING HIT BY A HEAVY WEIGHT. AFTER ESCAPING, SHE LATER MADE 19 TRIPS TO RESCUE A TOTAL OF OVER 300 SLAVES, SOMETIMES USING THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. CALLED 'BLACK MOSES', SHE CARRIED A GUN AND THREATENED TO SHOOT ANY SLAVE WHO WOULD TURN BACK. SHE WAS A UNION SPY DURING THE CIVIL WAR AND STRUGGLED FOR WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.
Nadezhda Popova was a Russian female pilot during WWII. The German military called her one of the "Nachthexen", or "Night Witches" She flew 852 decoy missions in a canvas winged plane. Dropped food and medicine to Russian marines trapped on the beach at Malaya Zemlya. She had to fly so low that she heard their cheers. After the mission, she found 42 bullet holes in her plane.She died on July 8, 2013 at the age of 91
NADEZHDA POPOVA WAS A RUSSIAN FEMALE PILOT DURING WWII. THE GERMAN MILITARY CALLED HER ONE OF THE "NACHTHEXEN", OR "NIGHT WITCHES" SHE FLEW 852 DECOY MISSIONS IN A CANVAS WINGED PLANE. DROPPED FOOD AND MEDICINE TO RUSSIAN MARINES TRAPPED ON THE BEACH AT MALAYA ZEMLYA. SHE HAD TO FLY SO LOW THAT SHE HEARD THEIR CHEERS. AFTER THE MISSION, SHE FOUND 42 BULLET HOLES IN HER PLANE.SHE DIED ON JULY 8, 2013 AT THE AGE OF 91
Congratulations Diana Nyad: At the age of 64 become the first person to swim 110 miles from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage.
CONGRATULATIONS DIANA NYAD: AT THE AGE OF 64 BECOME THE FIRST PERSON TO SWIM 110 MILES FROM CUBA TO FLORIDA WITHOUT A SHARK CAGE.
Wilma Rudolph (1940-1994): She was a sickly child and developed polio when she was 4 years old. Her mother helped her to walk again, and by her senior year in high school she qualified fir the 1956 Olympics in track. She went on to take three gold medals in the 1960 Olympics, becoming one of the most famous female athletes of all time.
WILMA RUDOLPH (1940-1994): SHE WAS A SICKLY CHILD AND DEVELOPED POLIO WHEN SHE WAS 4 YEARS OLD. HER MOTHER HELPED HER TO WALK AGAIN, AND BY HER SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL SHE QUALIFIED FIR THE 1956 OLYMPICS IN TRACK. SHE WENT ON TO TAKE THREE GOLD MEDALS IN THE 1960 OLYMPICS, BECOMING ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS FEMALE ATHLETES OF ALL TIME.
Bessie Smith, blues singer. Smith felt no fear when it came to confronting the racism so prevalent in the South. Once, when performing a tent show in a Southern town, members of the Ku Klux Klan, in full Klan regalia, surrounded the tent, threatening to pull it down and trap everyone inside. Smith stormed out and confronted them, shouting, “You had better pick up them sheets and run!” The men took to their heels. Smith went back to performing, as if confronting the KKK were all in a day’s w...
BESSIE SMITH, BLUES SINGER. SMITH FELT NO FEAR WHEN IT CAME TO CONFRONTING THE RACISM SO PREVALENT IN THE SOUTH. ONCE, WHEN PERFORMING A TENT SHOW IN A SOUTHERN TOWN, MEMBERS OF THE KU KLUX KLAN, IN FULL KLAN REGALIA, SURROUNDED THE TENT, THREATENING TO PULL IT DOWN AND TRAP EVERYONE INSIDE. SMITH STORMED OUT AND CONFRONTED THEM, SHOUTING, “YOU HAD BETTER PICK UP THEM SHEETS AND RUN!” THE MEN TOOK TO THEIR HEELS. SMITH WENT BACK TO PERFORMING, AS IF CONFRONTING THE KKK WERE ALL IN A DAY’S W...
Lucy Stone. 1st woman in America to keep her last name upon marriage, 1st Massachusetts woman to graduate college, chopped her hair off, scandalously wore precursors to pants, was kicked out of church for arguing that women had the right to own property and to be able to divorce abusive alcoholic husbands (the nerve).
LUCY STONE. 1ST WOMAN IN AMERICA TO KEEP HER LAST NAME UPON MARRIAGE, 1ST MASSACHUSETTS WOMAN TO GRADUATE COLLEGE, CHOPPED HER HAIR OFF, SCANDALOUSLY WORE PRECURSORS TO PANTS, WAS KICKED OUT OF CHURCH FOR ARGUING THAT WOMEN HAD THE RIGHT TO OWN PROPERTY AND TO BE ABLE TO DIVORCE ABUSIVE ALCOHOLIC HUSBANDS (THE NERVE).
Kim Phuc was pictured in a world-famous and iconic photograph from the Vietnam war, running naked from an airborne attack, horribly burned with napalm, in June of 1972. Since then, Kim has found peace, and a message she can offer, borne of her suffering. She runs The Kim Foundation International, and she acts as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNESCO. She has transformed into a viable, visible symbol of peace and hope. Hers is an important story of resilience, courage, and forgiveness.
KIM PHUC WAS PICTURED IN A WORLD-FAMOUS AND ICONIC PHOTOGRAPH FROM THE VIETNAM WAR, RUNNING NAKED FROM AN AIRBORNE ATTACK, HORRIBLY BURNED WITH NAPALM, IN JUNE OF 1972. SINCE THEN, KIM HAS FOUND PEACE, AND A MESSAGE SHE CAN OFFER, BORNE OF HER SUFFERING. SHE RUNS THE KIM FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL, AND SHE ACTS AS A GOODWILL AMBASSADOR FOR UNESCO. SHE HAS TRANSFORMED INTO A VIABLE, VISIBLE SYMBOL OF PEACE AND HOPE. HERS IS AN IMPORTANT STORY OF RESILIENCE, COURAGE, AND FORGIVENESS.
Dorothy Day with her prison dress. On November 1917 Day went to prison for being one of forty women in front of the White House protesting women's exclusion from the electorate
DOROTHY DAY WITH HER PRISON DRESS. ON NOVEMBER 1917 DAY WENT TO PRISON FOR BEING ONE OF FORTY WOMEN IN FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE PROTESTING WOMEN'S EXCLUSION FROM THE ELECTORATE
Waris Dirie is a Somali model, author, actress and human rights activist. At the age of thirteen, she fled her family in order to escape an arranged marriage to a much older man. In London, she became a supermodel. In 1997, Waris abandoned her modeling career to focus on her work against female circumcision. That same year, she was appointed UN Special Ambassador for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation
WARIS DIRIE IS A SOMALI MODEL, AUTHOR, ACTRESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST. AT THE AGE OF THIRTEEN, SHE FLED HER FAMILY IN ORDER TO ESCAPE AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE TO A MUCH OLDER MAN. IN LONDON, SHE BECAME A SUPERMODEL. IN 1997, WARIS ABANDONED HER MODELING CAREER TO FOCUS ON HER WORK AGAINST FEMALE CIRCUMCISION. THAT SAME YEAR, SHE WAS APPOINTED UN SPECIAL AMBASSADOR FOR THE ELIMINATION OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
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Gun-toting granny Ava Estelle, 81, was so ticked-off when two thugs raped her 18-year-old granddaughter that she tracked the unsuspecting ex-cons down… And shot off their testicles. “The old lady spent a week hunting those men down and, when she found them, she took revenge on them in her own special way,” said police investigator Evan Delp. Then she took a taxi to the nearest police station, laid the gun on the sergeant’s desk and told him
GUN-TOTING GRANNY AVA ESTELLE, 81, WAS SO TICKED-OFF WHEN TWO THUGS RAPED HER 18-YEAR-OLD GRANDDAUGHTER THAT SHE TRACKED THE UNSUSPECTING EX-CONS DOWN… AND SHOT OFF THEIR TESTICLES. “THE OLD LADY SPENT A WEEK HUNTING THOSE MEN DOWN AND, WHEN SHE FOUND THEM, SHE TOOK REVENGE ON THEM IN HER OWN SPECIAL WAY,” SAID POLICE INVESTIGATOR EVAN DELP. THEN SHE TOOK A TAXI TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION, LAID THE GUN ON THE SERGEANT’S DESK AND TOLD HIM
A lot of us were taught that the first “modern novel” was Don Quixote, written in the early 1600s by a guy (Cervantes). Actually, the first modern novel was written 600 years earlier—by a woman. It’s The Tale of Genji, written by a Japanese lady known as Murasaki Shikibu
A LOT OF US WERE TAUGHT THAT THE FIRST “MODERN NOVEL” WAS DON QUIXOTE, WRITTEN IN THE EARLY 1600S BY A GUY (CERVANTES). ACTUALLY, THE FIRST MODERN NOVEL WAS WRITTEN 600 YEARS EARLIER—BY A WOMAN. IT’S THE TALE OF GENJI, WRITTEN BY A JAPANESE LADY KNOWN AS MURASAKI SHIKIBU
Rare photo of young Mother Teresa We have always known Mother Teresa as an old wrinkled woman. This is a photo of her younger years. Mother Teresa at the age of 18  I don't think there's any name to describe what she did - her name is enough!
RARE PHOTO OF YOUNG MOTHER TERESA WE HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN MOTHER TERESA AS AN OLD WRINKLED WOMAN. THIS IS A PHOTO OF HER YOUNGER YEARS. MOTHER TERESA AT THE AGE OF 18 
I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY NAME TO DESCRIBE WHAT SHE DID - HER NAME IS ENOUGH!
Elizabeth Blackwell said she turned to medicine after a close friend who was dying suggested she would have been spared much embarrassment if her physician had been a woman. She became the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States, as well as the first woman on the UK Medical Register
ELIZABETH BLACKWELL SAID SHE TURNED TO MEDICINE AFTER A CLOSE FRIEND WHO WAS DYING SUGGESTED SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN SPARED MUCH EMBARRASSMENT IF HER PHYSICIAN HAD BEEN A WOMAN. SHE BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN TO RECEIVE A MEDICAL DEGREE IN THE UNITED STATES, AS WELL AS THE FIRST WOMAN ON THE UK MEDICAL REGISTER
Clara Barton.1821–1912, American humanitarian, organizer of the American Red Cross, b. North Oxford (now Oxford), Mass. She taught school (1839–54) and clerked in the U.S. Patent Office before the outbreak of the Civil War. She then established a service of supplies for soldiers and nursed in army camps and on the battlefields. She was called the Angel of the Battlefield.
CLARA BARTON.1821–1912, AMERICAN HUMANITARIAN, ORGANIZER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, B. NORTH OXFORD (NOW OXFORD), MASS. SHE TAUGHT SCHOOL (1839–54) AND CLERKED IN THE U.S. PATENT OFFICE BEFORE THE OUTBREAK OF THE CIVIL WAR. SHE THEN ESTABLISHED A SERVICE OF SUPPLIES FOR SOLDIERS AND NURSED IN ARMY CAMPS AND ON THE BATTLEFIELDS. SHE WAS CALLED THE ANGEL OF THE BATTLEFIELD.
1967: Elizabeth Robinson and Betty Blankenship joined the Indianapolis Police Department and are the nation’s first women assigned to patrol duties in a car. 1969: President Nixon’s Executive Order 11478 signed on August 8, 1969, ended discrimination in the federal service based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or handicap. This lifted the ban on employing women as special agents. Women now held authority to carry firearms, execute search warrants, and make arrests.
1967: ELIZABETH ROBINSON AND BETTY BLANKENSHIP JOINED THE INDIANAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ARE THE NATION’S FIRST WOMEN ASSIGNED TO PATROL DUTIES IN A CAR. 1969: PRESIDENT NIXON’S EXECUTIVE ORDER 11478 SIGNED ON AUGUST 8, 1969, ENDED DISCRIMINATION IN THE FEDERAL SERVICE BASED ON RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, OR HANDICAP. THIS LIFTED THE BAN ON EMPLOYING WOMEN AS SPECIAL AGENTS. WOMEN NOW HELD AUTHORITY TO CARRY FIREARMS, EXECUTE SEARCH WARRANTS, AND MAKE ARRESTS.
Vandana Shiva (1952-) Indian environmental activist and anti-globalization author currently based in Delhi. She has authored more than 20 books including Biopiracy: The Plunder of Nature and Knowledge (Between the Lines, 1997) and Water Wars: Privatization, Pollution, and Profit (Between the Lines, 2002). She is one of the leaders and board members of the International Forum on Globalization and has fought tirelessly for changes in the practice and paradigms of agriculture and food
VANDANA SHIVA (1952-) INDIAN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST AND ANTI-GLOBALIZATION AUTHOR CURRENTLY BASED IN DELHI. SHE HAS AUTHORED MORE THAN 20 BOOKS INCLUDING BIOPIRACY: THE PLUNDER OF NATURE AND KNOWLEDGE (BETWEEN THE LINES, 1997) AND WATER WARS: PRIVATIZATION, POLLUTION, AND PROFIT (BETWEEN THE LINES, 2002). SHE IS ONE OF THE LEADERS AND BOARD MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON GLOBALIZATION AND HAS FOUGHT TIRELESSLY FOR CHANGES IN THE PRACTICE AND PARADIGMS OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
During the First World War, Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon, transformed the Castle into a hospital, and patients began to arrive from Flanders in September 1914. She became an adept nurse and a skilled healer and hundreds of letters from patients and their families bear testament to her untiring work and spirit of generosity. The Castle returned to a private home and in 1922 the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun, the first global world media event
DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR, ALMINA, THE 5TH COUNTESS OF CARNARVON, TRANSFORMED THE CASTLE INTO A HOSPITAL, AND PATIENTS BEGAN TO ARRIVE FROM FLANDERS IN SEPTEMBER 1914. SHE BECAME AN ADEPT NURSE AND A SKILLED HEALER AND HUNDREDS OF LETTERS FROM PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES BEAR TESTAMENT TO HER UNTIRING WORK AND SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY. THE CASTLE RETURNED TO A PRIVATE HOME AND IN 1922 THE 5TH EARL OF CARNARVON AND HOWARD CARTER DISCOVERED THE TOMB OF TUTANKHAMUN, THE FIRST GLOBAL WORLD MEDIA EVENT
Noor Inayat Khan, one of Winston Churchill's elite Special Operations Executive secret agents. She was the first female radio operator sent into Nazi-occupied France and for three months she single-handedly ran a cell of spies across Paris until she was betrayed and captured. For ten months she was tortured by the Gestapo desperate for any information about SOE operations, but she stood firm and was eventually executed at Dachau concentration camp on September 13, 1944, aged just 30.
NOOR INAYAT KHAN, ONE OF WINSTON CHURCHILL'S ELITE SPECIAL OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE SECRET AGENTS. SHE WAS THE FIRST FEMALE RADIO OPERATOR SENT INTO NAZI-OCCUPIED FRANCE AND FOR THREE MONTHS SHE SINGLE-HANDEDLY RAN A CELL OF SPIES ACROSS PARIS UNTIL SHE WAS BETRAYED AND CAPTURED. FOR TEN MONTHS SHE WAS TORTURED BY THE GESTAPO DESPERATE FOR ANY INFORMATION ABOUT SOE OPERATIONS, BUT SHE STOOD FIRM AND WAS EVENTUALLY EXECUTED AT DACHAU CONCENTRATION CAMP ON SEPTEMBER 13, 1944, AGED JUST 30.
Pauli Murray grew up in Durham and was the only woman in her 1944 graduating class at Howard Law School. She won a fellowship to Harvard but was rejected because of her gender. She participated in the protests of the Civil Rights Movement and was very critical of the lack of women in key leadership roles in civil rights organizations. This led to her becoming one of the key founders of the National Organization of Women (NOW)
PAULI MURRAY GREW UP IN DURHAM AND WAS THE ONLY WOMAN IN HER 1944 GRADUATING CLASS AT HOWARD LAW SCHOOL. SHE WON A FELLOWSHIP TO HARVARD BUT WAS REJECTED BECAUSE OF HER GENDER. SHE PARTICIPATED IN THE PROTESTS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND WAS VERY CRITICAL OF THE LACK OF WOMEN IN KEY LEADERSHIP ROLES IN CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS. THIS LED TO HER BECOMING ONE OF THE KEY FOUNDERS OF THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN (NOW)
Gertrude Belle Elion 1918 - 1999 MEDICAL RESEARCHER Thousands of people have been given a second chance because of her: This Nobel Prize-winning research scientist codeveloped two drugs that fought leukemia and, in 1957, developed the first immunosuppressant agent, a development that made it possible to transplant organs
GERTRUDE BELLE ELION 1918 - 1999 MEDICAL RESEARCHER THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE BECAUSE OF HER: THIS NOBEL PRIZE-WINNING RESEARCH SCIENTIST CODEVELOPED TWO DRUGS THAT FOUGHT LEUKEMIA AND, IN 1957, DEVELOPED THE FIRST IMMUNOSUPPRESSANT AGENT, A DEVELOPMENT THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE TO TRANSPLANT ORGANS
Aung San Suu Kyi has fought against horrific odds for the sake of freedom and democracy. She's received the Rafto Prize and the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1990 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. In 1992 she was awarded the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding by the government of India and the International Simón Bolívar Prize from the government of Venezuela
AUNG SAN SUU KYI HAS FOUGHT AGAINST HORRIFIC ODDS FOR THE SAKE OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY. SHE'S RECEIVED THE RAFTO PRIZE AND THE SAKHAROV PRIZE FOR FREEDOM OF THOUGHT IN 1990 AND THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE IN 1991. IN 1992 SHE WAS AWARDED THE JAWAHARLAL NEHRU AWARD FOR INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AND THE INTERNATIONAL SIMÓN BOLÍVAR PRIZE FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF VENEZUELA
Alexandra David-Neel: Born in 1868 in Paris, by the time she was 18 she’d traveled around Europe & was a member of the Theosophical Society. When she was in her 40s she traveled to India to study Buddhism, met a prince, and possibly had an affair with him. During her travels in Asia, she lived in a cave, adopted a monk & traveled to Tibet at a time it was closed to foreigners. She met the 13th Dalai Lama which no European lady had ever done before. She died AT THE AGE OF 101 in 1969 
ALEXANDRA DAVID-NEEL: BORN IN 1868 IN PARIS, BY THE TIME SHE WAS 18 SHE’D TRAVELED AROUND EUROPE & WAS A MEMBER OF THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. WHEN SHE WAS IN HER 40S SHE TRAVELED TO INDIA TO STUDY BUDDHISM, MET A PRINCE, AND POSSIBLY HAD AN AFFAIR WITH HIM. DURING HER TRAVELS IN ASIA, SHE LIVED IN A CAVE, ADOPTED A MONK & TRAVELED TO TIBET AT A TIME IT WAS CLOSED TO FOREIGNERS. SHE MET THE 13TH DALAI LAMA WHICH NO EUROPEAN LADY HAD EVER DONE BEFORE. SHE DIED AT THE AGE OF 101 IN 1969 
Maggie L. Walker, civil rights activist and trailblazing entrepreneur. The beloved African American community leader devoted her life to defeating racism, sexism, and economic oppression. Mrs. Walker chartered a bank, a newspaper, and a store 17 years before American women had the right to vote, and fostered black entrepreneurialism when Jim Crow laws threatened African American progress. Born in Richmond, VA, she was the first woman in the U.S. to found a bank and serve as its president
MAGGIE L. WALKER, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND TRAILBLAZING ENTREPRENEUR. THE BELOVED AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY LEADER DEVOTED HER LIFE TO DEFEATING RACISM, SEXISM, AND ECONOMIC OPPRESSION. MRS. WALKER CHARTERED A BANK, A NEWSPAPER, AND A STORE 17 YEARS BEFORE AMERICAN WOMEN HAD THE RIGHT TO VOTE, AND FOSTERED BLACK ENTREPRENEURIALISM WHEN JIM CROW LAWS THREATENED AFRICAN AMERICAN PROGRESS. BORN IN RICHMOND, VA, SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN IN THE U.S. TO FOUND A BANK AND SERVE AS ITS PRESIDENT
Virginia Hall Goillot, MBE, DSC (1906 - 1982) was an American spy with the Special Operations Executive during WW2 and later with the Office of Strategic Services and the Special Activities Division of the Central Intelligence Agency. Operating in France, she was known by many aliases, including "Marie Monin", "Germaine", "Diane", "Marie of Lyon", "Camille",and Nicolas.The Germans gave her the nickname Artemis. The Gestapo reportedly considered her "the most dangerous of all Allied spies"
VIRGINIA HALL GOILLOT, MBE, DSC (1906 - 1982) WAS AN AMERICAN SPY WITH THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE DURING WW2 AND LATER WITH THE OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES AND THE SPECIAL ACTIVITIES DIVISION OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY. OPERATING IN FRANCE, SHE WAS KNOWN BY MANY ALIASES, INCLUDING "MARIE MONIN", "GERMAINE", "DIANE", "MARIE OF LYON", "CAMILLE",AND NICOLAS.THE GERMANS GAVE HER THE NICKNAME ARTEMIS. THE GESTAPO REPORTEDLY CONSIDERED HER "THE MOST DANGEROUS OF ALL ALLIED SPIES"
Annie Edson Taylor, first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel and survive. She did this on her 63rd birthday on October 24, 1901.
ANNIE EDSON TAYLOR, FIRST PERSON TO GO OVER NIAGARA FALLS IN A BARREL AND SURVIVE. SHE DID THIS ON HER 63RD BIRTHDAY ON OCTOBER 24, 1901.
Athleta Van Huffelen was born in 1868, in Anvers, Belgium to a long line of athletes (and would later prove her name a fitting choice). In 1886 at only 18, Athleta started her weightlifting spectacles at the "Eden Alhambra" theater in Brussels. She would dance with three men on the shoulders or carry a heavy bar on her shoulders with four suspended men. After her initial success, Athleta traveled to England and later all over Europe and America holding exhibitions of her physical power.
ATHLETA VAN HUFFELEN WAS BORN IN 1868, IN ANVERS, BELGIUM TO A LONG LINE OF ATHLETES (AND WOULD LATER PROVE HER NAME A FITTING CHOICE). IN 1886 AT ONLY 18, ATHLETA STARTED HER WEIGHTLIFTING SPECTACLES AT THE "EDEN ALHAMBRA" THEATER IN BRUSSELS. SHE WOULD DANCE WITH THREE MEN ON THE SHOULDERS OR CARRY A HEAVY BAR ON HER SHOULDERS WITH FOUR SUSPENDED MEN. AFTER HER INITIAL SUCCESS, ATHLETA TRAVELED TO ENGLAND AND LATER ALL OVER EUROPE AND AMERICA HOLDING EXHIBITIONS OF HER PHYSICAL POWER.