Celebrate these 22 trailblazing women in honour of Women’s History Month. However, as we all know, women are amazing 365 days of the year, so use this blog as inspiration any time you need an example of a great female role model.
These Amazing Women feature on Amazing People Schools. If you like any of the resources you see below, sign up for a free trial here. There you will find interactive resources, videos and resources for each of these trailblazing women.
Ada Lovelace is considered the world’s first computer programmer. She was nicknamed ‘Enchantress of Numbers’ because she excelled at maths and science. Ada Lovelace asked questions and used her imagination at a time when women were not supposed to do such things.Anna Nzinga Mbande, Queen of Ndongo, was one of the most powerful women leaders in African history. She was relentless in her fight to end slavery and protect her country. wanting to take her people as slaves.Amy Johnson was a pilot who paved the way for future female pilots. She became very famous, and she thrilled the world with record-breaking flights.Eva Perón grew up poor, but through hard work, she rose to become wife of the president of Argentina. Her political position allowed her to raise awareness of poverty and to encourage equal rights for women and a fairer society.Beulah Henry was a self-taught and prolific inventor who earned the nickname ‘Lady Edison”. She registered 49 US patents and had over 100 inventions, all of which helped make life easier for people.Caroline Chisholm dedicated her life to the improvement of living standards and opportunities for newly arrived immigrants, especially young women and families, in Australia. She pushed hard for reforms, and earned the nickname, ‘The Emigrant’s Friend’.Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was a Nigerian political leader who is remembered as the ‘Mother of Africa’. By working with others and speaking out, she showed how change can happen to improve the lives of others.Elizabeth Arden was a beauty pioneer who created both a business empire and a new industry. Today, her unique products are still hugely popular.Emmeline Pankhurst was a key leader of the women’s rights movement in Britain. Despite many setbacks and difficulties, she never gave up her mission and remained committed to achieving gender equality.Frida Kahlo is one of the best-known painters of our times. She is especially known for her distinct style and her many unsmiling self-portraits. Her art was a way for her to deal with the pain she dealt with in her life.Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman doctor in the US and focussed on helping poor women and children. She went on to help in the development of health care and the training of women in medicine.Sacagawea was a Shoshone woman who served as an interpreter and guide on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Due to her leadership and knowledge, the expedition was peaceful and successful.Helen Keller was deaf and blind due to an early childhood illness. She became an activist who fought for the rights of disabled people.Mākereti Papakura was a tour guide, an entrepreneur, an author and an advocate for the Māori people. She used her knowledge of Māori culture and traditions, to champion and preserve Māori culture within her own country and around the world. Lillian Gilbreth was a psychologist and an engineer. She worked while raising a family of 12 children and was an early example of a ‘working mother’. She changed the world of work with her approach and innovative research.Marie Curie was a dedicated scientist and the first person ever to receive two Nobel Prizes. Her work changed our world and has saved countless lives.Mary Seacole was a nurse and businesswoman who didn’t do what was expected of her so that she could help those in need. She earned the respect of the soldiers fighting in the Crimean War.Harriet Tubman was an African American who risked her life to lead many slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Many called her ‘General Tubman’ as well as ‘Moses’ for her leadership qualities.Madam CJ Walker endured many setbacks in life, but she kept going and created a successful business for herself and career opportunities for other women. She became the first female African American self-made millionaire and left a legacy that supported many charities and causes.Sarojini Naidu is remembered as the ‘Nightingale of India’ for her poetry. She also fought passionately for Indian independence. She was put in prison for her beliefs, but she went on to become the first female President of the India National Congress. Wang Zhenyi became a well-known astronomer, poet and mathematician, even though Chinese society did not allow the education of women at the time. She followed her interests with passion, and she shared her knowledge with others.Charlotte Brontë wrote at a time when it was not considered to be the ‘business of a woman’s life’. Despite hardships, she was determined to keep writing. Her poetry and books are still enjoyed by people around the world today.
