Feminism - Pre 20th Century

Great Women in History

• Queen Elizabeth 1 (1533-1603) -The Virgin Queen who refused to marry. She ruled England for a long successful era. During her rule the British Empire prospered, she reinstated Protestantism, discovery of the New World, defeated the Spanish Armada, economic growth which sprouted from the confidence her people had in her, and flourishment of literacy, performing and fine arts. Her reign was one of the inspirations for the English Renaissance  

• Lady Murasaki Shikibu (978-1026) Japanese author of the first full length novel; The Tale of Genji. She was educated alongside her brother, by her father. She worked in the Imperial Court after her husband died. 

• Boadicea - warrior queen of Britain who defied the Roman Conquerors 

http://laiyla.deviantart.com/art/Boadicea-64791986

• Empress Catherine the Great (1729-96) Ruled Russia for 35 years. Enlightened despot and reformer. Established the Smolny Institute for Noble Girls to educate women, it was the first higher education institute for women in Europe.

• Sappho (seventh century BC) great poet of the Ancient Greek World

• Joan of Arc (1412-31) French warrior and Kingmaker during the Hundred Years' War. Executed aged 19

http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/eascfa/dinner_party/place_settings/elizabeth_r.php

http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/heroine9.html