Every March is Women's History Month and is celebrated in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. This coincides with the International Women's Day which is celebrated every March 8th. While many people are familiar with Mother Teresa, Susan B. Anthony, Joan of Arc, Marie Curie, Rosa Parks, and Sacagawea, there are many more women who are unsung heroines of history. Being a woman has never been easy but these following five women didn't let anything hold them back from trying to make a difference. As March, and Women's History Month comes to a close, these women definitely deserve some recognition.
1. Lucy Gonzales Parsons (c.1853 - March 7, 1942)
Who is she? Lucy Parsons was a journalist, writer, a minority activist, and an anarchist. She was originally from Texas but moved to Chicago with her husband, Albert Parsons.
What did she do? Being a former slave fueled an almost 70-year career as an activist for minorities and women. The issues Lucy fought for include but are not limited to, the implementation of an 8-hour work day with no cut in pay, the dismantling of class segregation, anarchist's right to the freedom of speech, the right to form unions, hunger, and unemployment. She was widely considered more dangerous than her husband because she was so outspoken. She was also considered to be threatening to society because, during a time when the average American believed a woman's place was in the home, she refused to assume the role of homemaker.
"She is more dangerous than a thousand rioters." -Chicago Police Department
2. Hatshepsut (1508 BC - 1458 BC)
Who is she? Hatshepsut was the first and longest reigning female Pharaoh in Ancient Egypt.
What did she do? Ruling for over 20 years, Hatshepsut is often thought to be one of Egypt's most successful Pharaohs. Unlike the rulers before her, she cared deeply about Egypt's economy . She focused on building new and restoring old monuments in Egypt and Nubia rather than pursuing new territory. One significant trading expedition brought back ships filled with gold, ivory, and myrrh trees. However, after her death is February of 1458 BC, Pharaoh Thutmose III attempted to erase Queen Hatshepsut from history in so no one would question his son's, Amenhotep II, claim to the throne. Many of Hatshepsut's monuments were defaced and her inscriptions were erased.
"...I have restored that which was in ruins, I have raised up that which was unfinished..." -Queen Hatshepsut
3. Edith Cavell (December 4, 1865 - October 12, 1915)
Who is she? Edith Cavell was a British nurse who served in World War One.
What did she do? Edith Cavell was a matron of a nurse's school in Belgium before World War One. During the war, she helped save soldiers from both sides without discrimination. In August of 1915 Edith was arrested by the occupying Germans and charged with treason for allegedly helping British and French prisoners-of-war. After pleading guilty to the charges against her, Edith was sentenced to death by firing squad. An outpouring calling for mercy from neutral nations fell on deaf ears, and Edith was executed on October 12, 1915. In Britain, she is seen as a heroic martyr and has been venerated by the Church of England.
"They have all been very kind to me here. But this I would say, standing as I do in view of God and enternity: I realize that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone." -Edith Cavell, the night before her execution
4. Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị (c. 12 - c. 43 AD)
Who are they? Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị are regarded as national heroines of Vietnam for rebelling against the conquering Chinese in 40AD.
What did they do? The daughters of a powerful lord, Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị, commonly referred to as the Trưng Sisters, tried to mobilize the Vietnamese lords against the Chinese by performing courageous acts. Records show that one such act was the killing of a people-eating tiger and the use of its pelt on which to write a proclamation urging people to join them in the fight. After liberating 65 fortresses, the people of Vietnam declared Trưng Trắc, the elder sister, their true ruler and Queen. The sisters were constantly fighting battles against the Chinese government for 3 years. In 43 AD, the sisters' troops were badly defeated and in order to maintain their honor in true Vietnamese fashion, they committed suicide. Some records claim they drowned themselves in a river while others say they simply disappeared in the clouds.
"All the male heroes bowed their heads in submission; Only the two sisters proudly stood up to avenge the country." -15th Century Poem
5. Irena Sendler (February 15, 1910 - May 12, 2008)
Who is she? A Polish nurse and social worker, Irena Sendler served in the Polish Underground in Warsaw during World War II, eventually saving the lives of over 2,500 Jewish children.
What did she do? Through her job at the Welfare Department of Warsaw municipality, Irena was able to get a permit that allowed her to enter the Warsaw Ghetto under the pretense of inspecting sanitary conditions. A member of the Council for Aid of Jews or Zegota, Irena was made the director of the Council's Department for the Care of Jewish Children. This job gave her access to contacts with orphanages and instiutions for abandoned children, which is where she and her associates sent the Jewish children they saved under new identities. The exact number of children Irena and the Department for the Care of Jewish Children rescued is unknown but is estimated to be over 2,500. In 1943 Irena was arrested and sentenced to death. However, before her execution could be carried out, underground activists secured her release by bribing officials. Immediately after her release, she resumed her work of saving Jewish children. Eventually, due to the knowledge that the authorities were keeping a close eye on her and the imminent danger her work put her in, Irena went into hiding for the remainder of the war. This unfortunately prevented her from attending her mother's funeral.
"Every child saved with my help and the help of all the wonderful secret messengers, who today are no longer living, is the justification of my existence on this earth, and not a title to glory." -Irena Sendler
