Strong Women May We Know Them, May We Be Them, May We Raise Them

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Throughout history, strong women have broken barriers, defied societal norms, and paved the way for future generations. These trailblazers have changed the world with their courage, intellect, and resilience. In honor of their legacy, we celebrate the achievements of some of the most influential women from around the globe.

We celebrate the achievements of Strong Women May We Know Them from around the globe

Name	Country	Contribution
Ada Lovelace	United Kingdom	First computer programmer, developed the first algorithm for Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine.
Marie Curie	Poland/France	First woman to win a Nobel Prize; discovered radioactivity, polonium, and radium.
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir	Iceland	First democratically elected female head of state; advocate for women’s rights and education.
Aretha Franklin	USA	The Queen of Soul; first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Valentina Tereshkova	Russia	First woman in space; orbited Earth 48 times aboard Vostok 6.
Malala Yousafzai	Pakistan	Youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate; advocate for girls’ education.
Wangari Maathai	Kenya	First African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize; founded the Green Belt Movement.
Michelle Bachelet	Chile	First female president of Chile; advocate for social justice and human rights.
Kalpana Chawla	India	First woman of Indian origin in space; aerospace engineer and NASA astronaut.
Evita Perón	Argentina	Advocate for labor rights and women’s suffrage; influential First Lady of Argentina.
Rani Lakshmibai	India	Warrior queen of Jhansi; led resistance against British rule during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

Ada Lovelace (United Kingdom, 1815–1852)

Ada Lovelace, the daughter of the famed poet Lord Byron, was a visionary mathematician and is widely regarded as the world’s first computer programmer. Her work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine laid the foundation for modern computing. Her detailed notes on how the machine could execute a sequence of instructions are considered the first algorithm ever written. Without her contributions, the digital world as we know it would not exist.

Marie Curie (Poland/France, 1867–1934)

Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to receive two Nobel Prizes in different sciences—Physics and Chemistry. Her pioneering research on radioactivity led to the discovery of polonium and radium. Despite numerous challenges, including gender discrimination, Curie’s work revolutionized medical science, enabling the development of X-ray machines. Her dedication to science cost her life, as prolonged exposure to radiation led to her death.

Vigdís Finnbogadóttir (Iceland, 1930-)

Vigdís Finnbogadóttir made history as the world’s first democratically elected female head of state in 1980. She was re-elected three times, proving her immense popularity and leadership capabilities. A strong advocate for women’s rights and environmental protection, she worked tirelessly to promote language preservation and education for girls worldwide. Her famous motto, ‘Never let the women down,’ continues to inspire many.

Aretha Franklin (USA, 1942–2018)

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, was not just a music icon but also a symbol of female empowerment and civil rights. With classic hits like “Respect,” “Think,” and “Natural Woman,” she gave a voice to women fighting for equality. Franklin became the first female artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, cementing her status as a trailblazer in the music industry.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Aretha Franklin (@arethafranklin)

Valentina Tereshkova (Russia, 1937-)

Valentina Tereshkova shattered barriers in 1963 by becoming the first woman to travel into space aboard Vostok 6. Selected from over 400 applicants, she orbited Earth 48 times and logged more spaceflight hours than all American astronauts combined at the time. After her historic flight, she dedicated her life to politics and women’s rights, serving as a Soviet Union representative at the UN Conference for the International Women’s Year in 1975.

Malala Yousafzai (Pakistan, 1997-)

Malala Yousafzai became a global symbol of female education rights after surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban in 2012. Her fearless advocacy for girls’ education led her to become the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate in 2014. She continues to fight for the right of every girl to receive an education, proving that even in the face of adversity, strong women persevere.

Wangari Maathai (Kenya, 1940–2011)

The first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, which empowered women through environmental conservation efforts. Her relentless activism led to the planting of over 50 million trees and significant policy changes in environmental protection. Maathai’s work demonstrated that strong women are at the heart of both social and ecological progress.

Michelle Bachelet (Chile, 1951-)

Michelle Bachelet broke barriers by becoming Chile’s first female president in 2006. A pediatrician and human rights activist, she prioritized social justice, healthcare, and women’s rights. She later became the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, advocating globally for equality and justice.

Kalpana Chawla (India, 1961–2003)

Kalpana Chawla became the first woman of Indian origin to travel to space in 1997. As an aerospace engineer and NASA astronaut, she inspired countless young women to pursue careers in science and technology. Tragically, she lost her life in the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, but her legacy continues to inspire future generations.

Evita Perón (Argentina, 1919–1952)

Eva “Evita” Perón was Argentina’s First Lady and a champion of labor rights and women’s suffrage. She played a key role in passing Argentina’s law granting women the right to vote in 1947. Through the Eva Perón Foundation, she improved healthcare, education, and housing for the poor. Her legacy endures as a symbol of female political empowerment.

Rani Lakshmibai (1828-1858)

Warrior queen of Jhansi; led resistance against British rule during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Known for her exceptional bravery, she became a symbol of resistance in India’s fight for independence. She fought fearlessly against the British, dressed as a soldier, with her young son tied to her back. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of women in India and beyond.

Conclusion

Strong women have shaped history in every field, from science and politics to music and activism. Their resilience and determination continue to inspire generations of women to rise, lead, and break barriers. As we celebrate them, let’s remember to empower the women in our lives, ensuring a future where every girl can achieve her dreams.

Strong Women May We Know Them. May we be them. May we raise them.

For more inspiration, check out our collection of International Women’s Day Quotes and Women’s Day Wishes for Mother.