Iconic Women That Have Redefined History

​Below I have listed a few influential women who have changed history and the world. This list includes scientists, poets, activists, politicians, and humanitarians. All of these women have broken boundaries and redefined history. They are passionate, intelligent and leading ladies. These are well known women, but I believe every day women are becoming their own leading ladies in their everyday lives. 

Heres to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.​


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Jane Goodall

"What you do makes a difference. And you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." - Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall is a British primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist and UN Messenger of Peace. Jane has dedicated her life to studying animals and working with animal welfare issues. She is well known for her 55-year study of social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania. Jane closely observed things that past scientist overlooked. She gave the chimpanzees names, instead of numbering them as other scientists tended to do. She is recognized for her ground breaking discoveries on the behaviors of chimpanzees. She found that humans have a lot more in common with chimpanzees than we thought. She is the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute  and the Roots and Shoots program. 


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Maya Angelou

"My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness."
- Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was a well-known American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She was a highly respected spokeswoman for women and the African American community.  Maya wrote many books, one of her well-known books is “I Know Why the Caged Birds Sings”. 

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Amelia Earhart

"Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should should be a challenge to others." - Amelia Earhart

In 1928 Amelia Earhart was the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Amelia was awarded the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross for this accomplishment.

Malala Yousafzai

"Do not wait for someone else to come and speak for you. It's you who can change the world." - Malala Yousafzai

Malala is a Pakistani activist for female education. Her hometown in northwest Pakistan had banned girls from attending school. Her advocacy has grown into an international movement. At age 16, Malala spoke at the headquarters of the United Nations about worldwide education. One of Malala’s biggest inspirations is her father. Ever since Malala was young, her father urged Malala to reach her highest potential. He said “Don’t ask me what I did. Ask me what I did not do. I did not clip her wings, and that’s all”. To learn more about Malala, I highly recommend watching the film about her, “He Named Me Malala”. It is truly inspiring because, so many people can take education for granted, when in reality so many other people look at education as a luxury. 

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Emma Watson

"In my moments of doubt, I've told myself firmly... If not me, who? If not now, when?" - Emma Watson

You may know Emma Watson from the well-known Harry Potter films. Today Emma is an actress and an activist. In 2014 she was appointed as a United Nations Women Goodwill Ambassador. Since her appointment has launched a UN Women campaign called HeForShe. HeForShe calls for men to advocate for gender equality.

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Hillary Clinton

"To all the little girls watching right now, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every change and opportunity in the world." - Hillary Clinton

Ever since Hillary Clinton was a little girl, she was passionate about social justice issues. She has been First Lady of the United States, the 67th Secretary of State, and an advocate for women and children rights. When Hillary was a child, she sent a letter to NASA asking how she could work there, they replied back saying women don’t work at NASA. Hillary has been redefining history throughout her life. She was the first female candidate to be nominated for president by a major U.S. political party. 


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 Eleanor Roosevelt

"The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt was a First Lady, a politician, and an activist. When her husband Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was President of the United States, she reshaped the stereotypical role of the First Lady. She traveled across America and spoke about various racial issues. At the time she was controversial for her outspoken comments, because they were never publicly said previously by first ladies. 

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Suffragettes

"When women support each other, incredible things happen."

​Suffragettes were members of women’s organizations in the late 19th to early 20th century. They were based in the United Kingdom, and were advocates for women’s right to vote. I first heard about these brave women, when I watched the movie Suffragette. If you’re interested in learning more about them, I highly suggest you watch it. It’s a powerful and endearing film.