10 Most Important Women In History
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“Hi what are you doing up so early in the morning?”, Donna, 36, asked her daughter Sharon, 9. “Mum, I’ve got an assignment from class to write about the 10 most powerful women in history”, she replied. “Wow, that’s an interesting topic. Whom are you writing about?”, asked Donna. “I have a few names up my sleeve. Can you suggest some more to me?” said Sharon. Here are the top 10 women in history of whom Sharon chose to write about.
Marie Curie
1. Marie Curie
"This Polish-French scientist has to feature on any list about the influential women in history", affirmed Donna when she heard this name. "Mum did you know that Marie Curie was the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize for two categories on her contribution to the field of Radioactivity?", said Sharon. "Absolutely, imagine what the world would have been without X-Ray machines that were first developed by this woman", said Donna.
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia
Helen Keller
Helen Keller
"In a way, it's unfortunate that most common people remember her as a deaf and blind lady, and not particularly for her achievements", said Donna. "That's so true, mum. I read that despite of her handicap, she earned a BA degree, became a political activist and a lecturer. It's impossible for anyone to do that!", said Sharon, excited. "Yes dear. Isn't that inspiring? She is one of the most important women in history because she traveled around the world and championed the cause of women's suffrage and worker's rights", said Donna.
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia
Eva Peron
"Mum, why was Eva Peron one of the most important women in history?", Sharon asked Donna. "Sharon, she was the First Lady of Argentina from 1946 to 1952. She was extremely popular amongst common Argentineans because she tirelessly strived for the betterment of the poor and to bring about an extension in women's rights."
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia
Margaret Thatcher
We all know what kind of importance is showered on a woman when she becomes the first female Prime Minister of any country, right? The same happened with this influential woman. Not only did she shape a whole political decade for Britain, she remains popular for propagating free markets and her overarching belief in individual responsibility. She reversed a potential national decline in Britain in the 1980s when there was severe racial tension going on. "She was so brave. She figures in my list of the most important women in history because she was commemorated as a Baroness into the House of Lords", said Sharon.
Photo Courtesy: Marion S. Trikosko
Katherine Hepburn
"Mum, she's the lovely actress who starred with Spencer Tracy in the movie 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner', right?", asked Sharon. "Yes dear. She's one of the most important women in history because her work revolutionized the quality and substance of films made in her period", Donna replied. "I can see that. Any actress who has won 4 Oscars, 2 Tony Awards, 8 Golden Globes and 1 Emmy Award amongst many more, has to be one of the most important women in history", Sharon said.
Photo Courtesy: Trailer screenshot
Mother Teresa
We're pretty sure no one would ever disagree to Mother Teresa being one of the most powerful and adored women in the world. What do you think, friends? "How can someone devote their entire life to the service of the poor, mom?", asked Sharon, innocently. "Isn't that truly selfless, Sharon? Through her organization 'Missionary of Charities' in India, she provided love, food and shelter to the sick and poor for 45 long years. No wonder she is one of the oft-listed important women in history who received the Nobel Peace Prize too", said Donna.
Photo Courtesy: Evert Odekerken
Coco Chanel
"Wow. No wonder why she is one the few important women in history whom I truly love. I thank her for making my favorite Chanel No.5 fragrance!", laughed Sharon. "Apart from that Sharon, she was instrumental in bringing about a modern fashion philosophy in couture during her times. She is one of the few most important women in history whose work is famous even today. Her amazing hats, fragrances, trench coats – just name it", Donna explained.
Photo Courtesy: Tcmtoo
Queen Victoria
"Mum, now I know why Queen Victoria is one of the most important women in history. That's because she ruled over more than 400 million people in a British empire that covered more than 14.2 million square miles!", exclaimed Sharon. "Isn't that insane? Her rule of 63 years was the longest amongst any British monarch", said Donna. "The amazing thing about this woman is that she introduced many reforms in UK and her name still adorns numerous monuments and landmarks of the world", she added.
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia
Princess Diana
"She was so lovely by her demeanor and her humanitarian work that anyone would put her in the list of the most important women in history. Don't you agree, mum?", asked Sharon. "Poor thing, she deserved to live much longer. The world needed to know more for her amazing hands-on charity work rather than for her affairs and her wardrobe", said Donna, sipping her coffee. The way the world mourned for her on her death has clearly shown what an influential women she was. Don't you think so?
Photo Courtesy: Rick
Simone de Beauvoir
"Darling, it's not necessary that the most important women in the history of the world are necessarily famous. There are many silent achievers like Simone de Beauvoir who have made tremendous contributions to their fields, but not many people know them", Donna explained to Sharon. Donna continued, "She was one of the leading existentialist philosophers of the 20th century. Whatever we hear of Feminist movements today goes back to her works and research. When you go to college, I'll ask you to read her defining book 'The Second Sex' which will change the way you look at the world", she concluded.
Photo Courtesy: ainudil
