“For most of history, anonymous was a woman,” – Virginia Woolf.
History is full of women who shattered expectations, broke barriers, and left behind legacies that still inspire us today. Some fought on the battlefield, some wielded pens and paintbrushes, and others changed the course of science and education. Each of them, in their own way, challenged the world’s idea of what a woman could achieve. But their journeys were never easy- they faced discrimination, rejection, and immense struggles just because they were women. Yet, they didn’t just succeed for themselves; they paved the way for future generations of women.
Amrita Sher-Gil (1913–1941): The Rebel Artist Who Gave Women a Voice in Art
At a time when Indian women were rarely seen in the art world, Amrita Sher-Gil refused to be ignored. Born to a Sikh father and a Hungarian mother, she trained in Europe but was deeply connected to India’s cultural identity, Amrita dealt with an identity crisis throughout her life due to this. Her paintings portrayed Indian women not as passive subjects but as individuals with emotions, struggles, and depth. She challenged traditional beauty standards and exposed the hardships faced by Indian women, especially in rural communities. This led to her paintings being misunderstood and her art was often not welcomed by society. Today, however, she is considered one of India’s greatest modern painters, inspiring female artists worldwide.
Joan of Arc (1412–1431): The Teenage Warrior Who Defied Gender Norms
Joan of Arc’s story is nothing short of legendary. In 15th-century France, a teenage girl leading an army was unheard of- but Joan did exactly that. Claiming she had divine visions, she convinced King Charles VII to let her lead French forces against the English during the Hundred Years’ War. She changed the course of history by proving that a woman could be just as brave and capable as any male warrior. Even after being captured and executed, her legacy lived on, and she became a symbol of female strength and determination.
Rani Lakshmibai (1828–1858): The Queen Who Fought for India’s Freedom
Rani Lakshmibai faced both colonial oppression and deep-seated gender discrimination. After her husband’s death, the British refused to recognize her son’s right to the throne, assuming she would simply surrender. Instead, she raised an army and led the 1857 Revolt, despite widespread beliefs that women had no place on the battlefield. She became a symbol of resistance and fearlessness, riding into war with her sword drawn and her child tied to her back. Even after her death, she remained an icon of India’s fight for independence, proving that women could lead armies and change history.
The Brontë Sisters
– Charlotte Brontë (1816–1855)– Wrote Jane Eyre, one of the first novels with a strong, independent female protagonist.
– Emily Brontë (1818–1848)– Wrote Wuthering Heights, a dark, intense love story that challenged Victorian norms.
– Anne Brontë (1820–1849)– Wrote The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, which tackled women’s rights and domestic abuse.
At a time when women weren’t encouraged to write, the Brontës had to publish their books under male pen names to be taken seriously. Their heroines weren’t perfect or submissive- they were flawed, strong, and determined, paving the way for modern female characters in literature. Their books, once seen as controversial, are now celebrated as some of the greatest works in English literature.
Marie Curie (1867–1934): The Queen of Science
Marie Curie didn’t just break barriers she shattered them. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize (and remains the only person to win in two different fields: physics and chemistry). Her groundbreaking research on radioactivity paved the way for modern medicine, including cancer treatments. At a time when women were barely allowed into laboratories, she made history, proving that intellect and scientific brilliance were not limited by gender.
Savitribai Phule (1831–1897): The Mother of Indian Education
In 19th-century India, education for girls was unheard of until Savitribai Phule changed everything. She became India’s first female teacher and, along with her husband, started schools for girls and marginalized communities. Despite facing constant discrimination and attacks, she never gave up. Savitribai Phule’s fight for education was met with relentless opposition. In 19th-century India, educating girls—especially those from marginalized communities—was seen as a threat to the social order. She was insulted, harassed, and even had stones and dirt thrown at her as she walked to school. Many tried to shut down her schools, but she refused to give up. Even when the plague hit Pune, she risked her life to help the poor, ultimately succumbing to the disease. Thanks to her, millions of girls in India have access to education today. Her work laid the foundation for future generations of women to step into classrooms, empowering them to pursue knowledge and independence.
Razia Sultan (1205–1240): The Warrior Queen
Razia Sultan wasn’t just a ruler, she was a revolution. In the 13th century, she became the first and only female Sultan of Delhi, ruling with intelligence and strength. Her biggest struggle was simply being a woman in power. After becoming the first female Sultan of Delhi, she faced constant rebellion from nobles who refused to accept a woman as their ruler. Even when she proved to be a capable leader and military commander, her gender was used against her. She led armies into battle, dressed like a warrior, and refused to be just a figurehead. Her leadership proved that women could hold political power in a deeply patriarchal world. Though her reign was short-lived, she left behind a legacy of resilience, showing that gender should never determine one’s ability to lead.
Cleopatra (69 BCE–30 BCE): The Queen Who Ruled an Empire
Cleopatra VII had to fight not only external enemies but also her people. As a young queen, she was forced into political exile by her brother. She regained her throne through strategic alliances, but her intelligence was constantly overshadowed by rumours about her beauty and romantic relationships. Even after ruling Egypt for over two decades, Roman historians sought to erase her achievements, reducing her to a seductress rather than acknowledging her as a brilliant leader. Women have often been reduced to their looks and relationships throughout history and even today that notion persists.
Cleopatra VII was one of the most powerful rulers of ancient Egypt. Fluent in multiple languages, politically brilliant, and fiercely independent, she navigated alliances with Rome while keeping Egypt strong. She was a master strategist who fought to maintain her kingdom’s power in a male-dominated world. Her intelligence and leadership ensured Egypt remained a dominant force, and her legacy as one of history’s most legendary queens still lives on today.
Ismat Chughtai (1915–1991)– The Boldest Voice in Urdu Literature
Ismat Chughtai was one of the most fearless female writers in India, known for her stories about women’s sexuality, freedom, and oppression. Her controversial story Lihaaf (1942) challenged conservative views on female desire and was even banned for being too provocative. She used her writing to question patriarchal norms and fight for women’s rights in society. She was put on trial for obscenity after publishing Lihaaf, a story that dared to explore female desire in conservative South Asian society. She faced threats and social ostracization for her bold writing, yet she refused to censor herself. Her struggle was not just against the authorities but also against a deeply patriarchal literary world that tried to silence women’s voices.
Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain (1880–1932)– A Feminist Visionary from Bengal
Rokeya was a Bengali writer and social reformer who fought for Muslim women’s education and independence. Her famous short story Sultana’s Dream (1905) imagined a utopian world where women ruled and men were confined to the home. She also established schools for girls, defying conservative norms to give women access to education. Like Savitribai Phule, Rokeya was also met with intense backlash, she was threatened and told she was corrupting women and was constantly ridiculed for promoting the idea that Muslim women should be educated but she persisted and dedicated her life to ensuring that future generations of women had access to knowledge.
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797)– The Mother of Feminism
Mary Wollstonecraft was one of the earliest feminist writers, best known for A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792), where she argued that women were not inferior to men but only seemed so because they lacked education. She believed in equal rights and opportunities for women, challenging the idea that they should only be wives and mothers. Her work laid the foundation for future feminist movements.
Virginia Woolf (1882–1941): A Voice for women’s independence
Virginia Woolf was one of the most influential modernist writers, known for her experimental writing style and deep explorations of women’s inner lives. Virginia Woolf struggled with mental illness at a time when little was understood about it. She battled depression while facing immense pressure as a female writer in a male-dominated literary world. She was dismissed as “too emotional” and criticized for her unconventional writing style. She also struggled financially, as women had fewer opportunities for economic independence. Her essay A Room of One’s Own reflected this struggle, arguing that women needed both financial freedom and personal space to create great art and literature. Her novels, like Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse, challenged traditional storytelling and gave voice to women’s struggles in a male-dominated world. Woolf’s work paved the way for feminist literature, inspiring countless writers to tell stories from a woman’s perspective.
Mary Ann Evans (George Eliot) (1819–1880): The Woman Behind the Pen Name
Mary Ann Evans, better known by her pen name George Eliot, was a groundbreaking English novelist who challenged Victorian gender norms through her writing. She faced societal backlash for living with a married man and was often the subject of scandal. Despite her literary brilliance, she was constantly judged for her personal choices rather than her work. She wrote under a male pseudonym to ensure her work was taken seriously. Her novels, like Middlemarch, The Mill on the Floss, and Adam Bede, featured strong, complex female characters who struggled against societal expectations. Eliot’s work was revolutionary because she explored the limitations imposed on women and encouraged them to break free from those constraints.
Final Thoughts: A Legacy of Strength
These women came from different times, places, and backgrounds, but they all had one thing in common: they refused to be limited by society’s expectations. Whether through art, war, literature, science, or education, they changed the world in their own way. Their stories remind us that strength comes in many forms and that every woman has the power to shape history.
Who inspires you the most?