7 women who did what no one expected and changed history

6/28/2018

6,318 views

History Story: 7 women who did what no one expected and changed history

These powerful women overcame adversity and challenged gender stereotypes to become one of the most influential females in history. Read on to find out about their incredible stories and get inspired.

#1 Eleanor of Aquitaine, twice a Queen

Eleanor of Aquitaine (1124-1204) was an extraordinary person who managed to ruin the image of a medieval woman. She was a Queen twice - of France as the wife of Louis VII, then of England as the wife of Henry II. Eleanor of Aquitaine gave birth to three kings, took part in a Crusade, spent 16 years in captivity and even participated in a plot against her own husband. Eleanor had brilliant education, gave birth to 10 children and lived into old age.

#2 The Golden Age of Elizabeth I

The reign of Elizabeth I is often considered the golden age in English history. She ascended the throne at the age of 25, but wasn't going to marry anyone. In fact, she declared that she would never marry at the age of eight... and kept her word. Elizabeth I even promoted the cult of virginity to maintain her legend and avoid unnecessary questions.

Instead, Elizabeth I decided to make every possible effort to establish a harmonious realm. She didn't want to conquer other countries or start wars, she just wanted England to be safe and prosper. Elizabeth I established Protestantism in England, defeated the Spanish Armada, maintained peace inside her country, and created an environment where the arts flourished.

#3 Helen Keller, a famous lecturer and the first deaf-blind person to earn a bachelor of arts degree

Keller was born on the 27th of June, 1880. In 1882, she was stricken by an illness that left her blind and deaf. Her talented teacher, Anne Sullivan, taught her to communicate, allowing Keller to get a good education and continue it in college.

After her graduation in 1904, Keller set out to learn more about the people with special needs and how she could help them. She became a well-known lecturer who surprised everyone with her own story and shared different experiences. Ambitious and hard-working, Keller inspired and encouraged millions of people.

#4 Eleanor Roosevelt, the "First Lady of the World"

Eleanor Roosevelt served as the First Lady of the US during her husband President Franklin D. Roosevelt's four terms in office, which made her the longest serving First Lady of the United States. One of the most admired and powerful women of her time, Eleanor was a United Nations diplomat, humanitarian, human rights activist, writer, and lecturer.

She traveled around the country a lot, holding meetings with veterans, soldiers, and women's organizations. For her achievements, Eleanor was later called the "First Lady of the World" by President Harry S. Truman.

#5 Cesária Évora, the "Barefoot Diva"

Cesária Évora was nicknamed the "Barefoot Diva" for performing without shoes. She is often referred to as the best Cape Verdean singer of all time. "Miss Perfumado", the album that made her famous, was released in 1992, when Cesária was older than 50. She made the traditional music of her country popular and loved worldwide. In Cape Verde, Cesária was a child activist and did everything to improve Cape Verdean education.

#6 Pina Bausch, an iconic dancer

Pina Bausch is the famous creator of tanztheater ("dance theatre"), a style which blends dance and everyday movement with theater. When her first tanztheater performance came to fruition, the audience didn't like it. Some people even left the hall! Anyway, Pina continued working and became one of the most famous dancers in the world. Tanztheater delivers messages about social problems, human behavior and everyday problems an ordinary person can face.

#7 Oprah Winfrey, one of the most popular television hosts in the world

A style icon, TV star, and one of the richest female entertainers in the US, Oprah Winfrey had a very rough childhood. Her family was very poor, and sometimes Oprah had to wear clothes made from potato sacks. At he age of nine, she was molested by her uncle. At the age of twelve, Oprah fled her abusive home and became pregnant some time later. When she was fourteen, she gave birth to a son, who was born prematurely and died not long after.

Nonetheless, Oprah earned high marks at high school and even took a job at a local black radio station. Later she entered the university and studied communications. When she began her career on television, it was an instant success. Oprah's most famous project, "The Oprah Winfrey Show", aired nationally for 25 seasons from 1986 to 2011.

Have you ever heard about these amazing women? Which story is the most inspiring? Whom would you like to add to this list?

We are waiting for your comments!

SHARE this article with someone who is interested in WOMEN'S HISTORY!

#History #Society #female #inspiration

What are your thoughts on this subject?

32 Comments

billyboy915

Elizabeth I did not establish Protestantism in England. Henry VIII, her father, was the first monarch to introduce a new state religion to the English, the Anglican church. In 1532, he wanted to divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon. When Pope Clement VII refused to consent to the divorce, Henry VIII decided to separate the entire country of England from the Roman Catholic Church.

Dave Woodward

How can you include Oprah Winfrey in this list? She is nothing more than a TV person who has made money by wheeling and dealing. She is and always has been very self-centered and would climb over anyone to get whatever she wanted. She would never get my vote for anything

Valerie Campion

Where's Florence Nightingale

gderrythom

Lest we forget, Madame Curie! Incomplete list

davidmidgley

Oprah? Just a self righteous mouthpiece.

Eleanor Flower

There are many strong women, one was my own mother!

thehangers

I've never heard of Cesária Évora before today! My vote goes to Eleanor Roosevelt. Oprah is definitely to be honored because of what she had to overcome. And what about Mother Teresa? Well there are very many special women of history ... and a lot of them have not even been recognized to date!!!

Jessie Davis

Florence Nightingale pioneer of modern nursing.

Carol Moore

Dave Woodward, I agree. Very self centered.

Linda Wyeth

You forgot that she became a great land owner by buying the property that was destroyed on Maui. Land she got for peanuts.

mlnred

billyboy915, Elizabeth reestablished the protestant religion after her half sister, Queen Mary, (Bloody Mary)tried to restore Catholicism when she took the throne.

Howard Mason

Dave Woodward, no thoughts of her own just going with popular opinion and pushing agendas. She above all was in a position to actually help black Americans but like most black celebrities did the least possible.

Keely Anne Williams

How about Mary Seacole.

Allison Aspden

Interesting information about these high-profile women.

davidmidgley

billyboy915, not quite. He still considered England Catholic, and so it is today. He merely inserted himself as being in charge of all temporal matters in his kingdom.

Hypatia, Marie Curie, Annie Jump Cannon (and all of the “Harvard Computers”). There are many wonderful women who have risen above and contributed immensely to the world of science.

Cindy Ursan

Dave Woodward, couldn’t disagree more…

John Mullin

A Medieval Frenchwoman, a sixteenth century Englishwoman,two women we’d never heard of, and no fewer than three American women make up the cut. Well done America!