Subject: Women in History Whom You Admire
Posted by: Cymruambyth
Date: May 25 09
Throughout the ages there have been many women who have had great influence on the course of history, despite the fact that women were not even considered persons under the law until relatively recently. Which historical females do you admire? I'm a big fan of Elizabeth I. I rate her as one of the best monarchs ever to rule England. Florence Nightingale is another woman who made a difference, not only in her field of nursing but also in treatment of the woinded on the battlefield. Marie Curie paved the way for saving the lives of countless cancer patients with her discovery of radium. Who would be on your list, and why?
Posted by: Cymruambyth
Date: May 25 09
Throughout the ages there have been many women who have had great influence on the course of history, despite the fact that women were not even considered persons under the law until relatively recently. Which historical females do you admire? I'm a big fan of Elizabeth I. I rate her as one of the best monarchs ever to rule England. Florence Nightingale is another woman who made a difference, not only in her field of nursing but also in treatment of the woinded on the battlefield. Marie Curie paved the way for saving the lives of countless cancer patients with her discovery of radium. Who would be on your list, and why?
51 replies. On page 1 of 3 pages. 1 2 3
Rowena8482 
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Eleanor of Aquitaine. She had a fascinating life, Queen of France and England, mother of Kings and Queens, she went on Crusade, was well educated and highly intelligent - an amazing woman especially given that she lived in times when women weren't even considered people or citizens a lot of the time. Reply #1. May 26 09, 4:57 AM |
Cymruambyth
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I agree, Rowena. She was also extremely powerful as a ruler in her own right, since she was the Duchess of Aquitaine. Too bad she gave birth to that complete waste-of-space King John! Reply #2. May 26 09, 9:41 AM |
Pagiedamon
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I admire women who made a mark in the world when it was very much a man's world. Women who were bold, and maybe not always good. ;-) Cleopatra VII Boudicca Elizabeth I Eleanor of Aquitaine People like that... Reply #3. May 26 09, 6:30 PM |
stuthehistoryguy
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Probably the usual suspects: Elizabeth I Catherine the Great Theodora Susan B. Anthony Emmeline Pankhurst Tallulah Bankhead Marie Curie Helen Keller I would never have favored the stances of women like Margret Thatcher or Saint Thecla, but you've got to admit that what they accomplished in spite of their prescribed gender roles is utterly astonishing in retrospect. Reply #4. May 26 09, 9:45 PM |
trojan11
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All of the above sprang from positions of privilege of some kind or another and, like Alexander the Great, such a springboard makes things a good deal easier. In keeping with thread trend, 'tho, I opt for Hatshepsut, an eighteenth dynasty queen of Egypt, a prolific builder and, in her earlier days, conqueror. But in later years, a peace and trade maker. But, for me, Rosa parks merits the number one slot. Reply #5. May 27 09, 2:04 PM |
ArlingtonVA
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Helene Gayle, head of CARE. Has quietly (by which I mean calmly) advanced living conditions and health for millions her whole life. Reply #6. May 27 09, 7:49 PM |
lesley153
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For me, the best thing about these threads are the surprises (how did Tallulah Bankhead get in here?) and the people I've never heard of. I hadn't heard of Helene Gayle but I've looked her up and even listened to her speak, and am hugely impressed. Trojan, you're absolutely right about "positions of privilege of some kind" being the best springboards. I am in awe of people like Mary Seacole, who had to fight to be allowed to help other people. Reply #7. May 28 09, 6:28 AM |
| guitargoddess
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Anne Boleyn Sylvia Pankhurst Margaret Sanger & Marie Stopes Can't think of any more at the moment, but I know there are more! Reply #8. May 28 09, 8:40 PM |
| Cymruambyth
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GG, I'm not sure about Anne Boleyn, but I entirely agree with your choice of Mrs. Pankhurst and Margaret Sanger and Marie Stopes. I'd also like to add the names of Canada's Famous Five - Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Emily Murphy and Irene Parlby - who fought to have women officially recognized as persons under the law. They won their case in 1929. Reply #9. May 30 09, 11:07 PM |
| Cymruambyth
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And Eleanor Roosevelt should be on my list, too. Reply #10. May 30 09, 11:08 PM |
| guitargoddess
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Maybe it's just a slant being used in books I've been reading about Anne Boleyn lately, but she seems like a strong woman to me! Had a mind of her own in a time when it wasn't encouraged.. had one of the most powerful men in history wrapped around her finger (for awhile).. Reply #11. May 31 09, 7:34 PM |
paco18
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Catherine The Great Margaret Thatcher Reply #12. May 31 09, 10:01 PM |
dfc4385
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My heroine would be Rosa Parks who refused to sit at the back of the bus. Reply #13. Jun 05 09, 9:05 PM |
| dfc4385
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And no one has mentioned Mother Teresa. Reply #14. Jun 14 09, 11:25 PM |
jonnowales
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I would disagree with Emmeline Pankhurst as in many respects she held back the movement for the rights of women due to her excessive and nationally unpopular militancy. It could even be suggested that Emmeline Pankhurst and the suffragettes spoiled a lot of the hard progressive work of the suffragist movement. Millicent Fawcett is the unsung hero of the British movement for the rights of women - a figure sadly forgotten due to her tireless peaceful campaigning. She and the suffragists actually managed to change the mind of Prime Minster Asquith and his government to pass the related legislation and it was only blocked on a technicality. Then, like a bad smell, Emmeline Pankhurst and the suffragettes began their campaign of violence which was a massive contribution towards the change in the government line on the issue. They were never going to be seen to give in to violence. If it was left to just the suffragists, women would have made progress years earlier in the UK. Reply #15. Jun 15 09, 10:22 AM |
| jonnowales
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Instead of began, I should say continued. Reply #16. Jun 15 09, 10:23 AM |
| GreenGal
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Catherine of Aragon is my hero. She grew up in Spain as the daughter of two fighter parents, and never knew if they would come back from their battles. She then had to watch Anne Boleyn (who, by the way, is NOT IN ANY WAY my hero) steal her husband, but she kept an amazing amount of diginty throughout. Reply #17. Jun 15 09, 11:37 AM |
daver852
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Sarah Palin. Reply #18. Jun 22 09, 12:29 AM |
| mjws1968
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A couple of Saxon noblewomen who did a lot for the church and by association the people, Hilda of Whitby and Godgifu (Godiva) of Mercia, two women not afraid to stand up for the common man and woman against the establishment they came from. Reply #19. Jun 27 09, 2:48 AM |
C30
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Margaret Thatcher............best Prime Minister we have had since Churchill. Belle Boyd.........made "Scarlet O'Hara" look like an amateur! Queen Elizabeth I..........record speaks for itself. My wife...............anyone who can put up with me must be special! Reply #20. Jun 27 09, 5:15 AM |
51 replies. On page 1 of 3 pages. 1 2 3
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