Most Influential Women in World History

Harriet Tubman is a crucial figure in world history for her unwavering bravery and leadership as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Her tireless work freed hundreds of enslaved people, demonstrating a direct and transformative impact on the lives of many and on the fight for abolition.

• Fought for universal female suffrage

• Contributed to transforming Fort Monroe into a magnet for fugitive slaves

Cleopatra was a political and military figure of great cunning who ruled Egypt during a crucial period in Roman history. Her ability to forge strategic alliances with Roman leaders like Julius Caesar and Mark Antony demonstrated her profound influence on the affairs of the Eastern Mediterranean and her impact on the course of the Roman Empire.

• Influenced Julius Caesar and Mark Antony

• Astute political leader

• Ruled Egypt

• Her legacy lives on in artworks

Marie Curie was a pioneer in the field of radioactivity and the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific disciplines. Her groundbreaking research laid the foundation for medical and technological advancements, profoundly impacting science and health globally.

• First person to win two Nobel Prizes

• Pioneer in the field of radioactivity

• Discoverer of radioactivity

• Revolutionized science

The figure of Mary, mother of Jesus, has exerted immense spiritual and cultural influence over two millennia, being central to one of the world's largest religions. Her role as the mother of the Messiah and her veneration in Christianity and Islam make her a symbol of faith, motherhood, and devotion for billions of people.

• Example of faith, obedience, and humility

• Perfect model of faith and obedience

• Carried divinity in the womb

• Lived in an exemplary way

Mother Teresa of Calcutta is an influential figure in world history for her tireless dedication to the most needy and her humanitarian work through the Missionaries of Charity. Her impact extended globally, inspiring compassion and service in millions of people and leaving a lasting legacy in the fight against poverty and disease.

• She received the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award

• She cared for the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying for over 45 years

• She guided the expansion of her congregation to 133 countries

• She dedicated her life to the poorest

Frida Kahlo is an iconic figure of Mexican art and feminism, whose deeply personal and often painful work has resonated globally. Her influence transcends art, impacting culture, fashion, and activism, making her an enduring symbol of resilience and self-expression.

• Broke norms in art and in life

• One of the most influential artists in contemporary history

• Her influence extends to film, literature, and music

• Universal cultural figure

Rosa Parks is an iconic figure of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, whose courageous act of refusing to give up her seat on a bus sparked the Montgomery bus boycott. Her peaceful yet firm defiance inspired millions and was a crucial catalyst for social change and the fight against racial segregation.

• Key figure in the civil rights movement

• Mother of the civil rights movement

• Emblem of resistance and the fight for rights

• Activist for equality and non-discrimination