The Great Women of History.
We have Black History Month for February, and March is Women’s History Month. Here are some of the amazing women of history, historical and fun facts. Go girl power!
Joan of Arc.
She was nicknamed “The Maid of Orleans”. She was canonized as a Roman Catholic Saint and is a heroine for France in her role during the Hundred Years War. She was Born 1412, Domrémy-la-Pucelle, France and died on May 30, 1431, in Rouen, France. She has been quoted to say, “I am not afraid…I was born to do this.” “Children say that people are hung sometimes for saying the truth.” And “If I am not, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me.” She convinced the embattled crown prince Charles of Valois to allow her to lead a French army to the besieged city of Orléans, where it achieved a momentous victory over the English and their French allies, the Burgundians. Joan was captured by Anglo-Burgundians and was tried for witchcraft and heresy and was burned at the stake by the age of 19. She is a French symbol of unity and nationalism.
Citations; https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#safe=active&q=joan+of+arc
https://www.history.com/topics/saint-joan-of-arc
Elizabeth Blackwell
She was the first American woman awarded a medical degree by Geneva College in NY. Beforehand she was rejected by all major medical schools in the nation due to her sex. Later on she founded a women’s medical college to train other women physicians. She was born on 2-3-1821, in Bristol, UK. She died of a stroke on May 31, 1910 in Hastings, UK. She contributed to/wrote 10 medical books such as “Scientific method in Biology” and “The Human element in sex.”
Amelia Earheart.
Born in July 24th, 1897, Atchison, KS. She took off on a navigation and was reported missing along with Frederick Noonan on July 2nd, 1937 over Howland Island in the Pacific Ocean. She received the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross as the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic. She was quoted to have said; “Adventure is worthwhile in itself,” “The most effective way to do it, is to do it,” and “Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn’t be done.” She wrote 4 books such as “Last Flight” and “The Fun of It.” She used her fame to promote the advancement of commercial aviation and the advancement of women. In 1928 she worked as a Social Worker who only flew in her spare time.
Citations-
https://www.history.com/topics/amelia-earhart
Queen Elizabeth I.
Elizabeth I was Queen of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. She was born on September 7th, 1533, Greenwhich UK, and died on March 24th, 1603, Richmond, UK. She has been quoted to say, “I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too.” “Do not tell secrets to those whose faith and silence you have not already tested.” “I would rather be a beggar and single than a queen and married.” She died of blood poisoning at the age of 70. She was considered one of the greatest monarchs that ever ruled England and she did so without a King.
Citations- https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#safe=active&q=elizabeth+i+
https://www.royal.gov.uk/Home.aspx
Elizabeth Báthory
Although not a Queen, or very good, she was a very interesting woman. She was a Countess, which is the wife/widow of a Count or earl (count/earls are a British nobleman ranking above a viscount and below a marquess.). She was born on August 7, 1560, Nyírbátor, Hungary and died on August 21, in Čachtice, Slovakia at the age of 54 due to natural causes. She was nicknamed the Blood Countess and The Bloody Lady of Čachtice. She, with accomplices, killed many young girls. It is rumored she did it to stay young and beautiful although she was at the time, considered a gorgeous young woman throughout all of her life. The total number of women tortured and killed is unknown but estimated to be 80 and 650! That’s a fuck ton. She didn’t bathe in their blood to stay beautiful but she did it to celebrate the death and because she enjoyed it. As a countess she couldn’t be executed so she was imprisoned within her castle until 4 years later when she died. Her accomplices though were executed, a few waiters and butlers. Although there is many folklore to her story, people are now speculating she wasn’t a vicious murderer but a woman betrayed. I think she’s a fucking homicidal queen (haha get it?) I know she isn’t a good woman but I find her fascinating and love reading about her.
Citations- https://www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/death-countess-elizabeth-bathory
https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/elizabeth-bathory-16th-century-deranged-serial-killer-or-victim-betrayal
Rosa Parks
Obviously, she was the first black woman to say “No.” during the times blacks were segregated from whites. She was born on February 4th in 1913 in Tuskegee, AL. She died on October 24th, 2005 in Detroit, MI at the age of 92 due to natural causes inside her apartment. She never had children with her husband and outlived her only sibling. She has been quoted to have said, “Each person must live their life as a model for others” “Have you ever been hurt and the place tries to heal a bit, and you just pull the scar off of it over and over again.” “The only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” “I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free... so other people would be also free.” “Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others.” “My only concern was to get home after a hard day's work.” She made a stand for her race which made a huge impact on the discrimination of all non-white people. Because she refused to give up her seat and got arrested she started the boycott of the segregation, causing other blacks to not want to give in. Needless to say she was a trail blazer and a great woman of history.
Citations-
https://www.biography.com/people/rosa-parks-9433715
Helen Keller
She was the first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. She was an author, lecturer and political activist. She was born on June 27th 1880 in Tuscumbia, AL and she died on June 1st 1968 in Easton, CT at the age of 88 due to natural causes. I am kind of biased towards her as I don’t see her as the most interesting woman of history but hey she’s still one of them. She has written 21 books, a few to name are “Optimism Within” and “Out of the dark”. A lot of her works were about optimism, her life, her experiences and life around her. She has been known to say, “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.” “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Citations-
https://www.womenofthehall.org/?action=viewone&id=91
There are a lot more such as:
Sacagawea- 1787–1812
She was the interpreter for Lewis and Clark during the U.S. government’s first exploration of the Northwest. Sacagawea’s role was to help negotiate safe and peaceful passages through tribal lands.
Citation- https://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/s_z/sacagawea.htm
Margaret Thatcher- 1925–
This politician was the first woman in European history to be elected prime minister. Known for her conservative views, Margaret Thatcher was also the first British prime minister to win three consecutive terms in the 20th century.
Citation- https://www.uu.edu/front/features/front/fall98/ mtbio.htm
Victoria Woodhull- 1838–1927
First woman to be nominated and campaign for the U.S. presidency. She was nominated by the Women's National Equal Rights Party. Woodhull and her sister were also the first two female stockbrokers on Wall Street.
Citation- https://www.class.csupomona.edu/his/skpuz/hst202/ Woodhull/WQart.html
And of course there are many more but those are all I will put for now (had to leave off at 10). Thank you for reading!
(I'd have a lot more citations but only 20 links are permitted)
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