Women Who R Amazing!

A former textile worker, the then 26-year-old Valentina Tereshkova from the Soviet Union, became the first woman in space. Her journey into space was seen to be a clear signal in the development of equal rights for women. She stated, “On Earth, men and women are taking the same risks... Why shouldn’t we be taking the same risks in space?”

Born in rural poverty, Oprah’s mother raised her dependent upon government welfare payments to survive. The Oprah Winfrey Show was the highest rating television programme, dubbing Oprah as the “queen of media” and was broadcast from 1986 to 2011.

Whilst travelling home from school in 2012 a gunman shot Malala Yousafzai for defying the Taliban, who demanded that girls should not be allowed to receive an education.

From living on state benefits, J.K Rowling became a multi-millionaire within just a few years. She is the United kingdom’s best-selling living author.

The idea for the Harry Potter series was created on a delayed train from Manchester to London in 1990. The first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, was completed in 1997.

At the age of one and a half, Helen Keller was extremely ill and lost both her vision and hearing. She overcame the adversity of being blind and deaf during her remarkable life, standing as a powerful example of how determination, hard work, and imagination can allow an individual to triumph over hard times. By overcoming difficult conditions with a great deal of persistence, she grew into a respected and world-renowned activist and author.

Emily Pankhurst played a militant role in helping gain women’s right to vote. Through the political action of the WSPU (Women’s Social and Political Union), she led a group of passionate women, who were willing to take drastic action.

Considered by many as the greatest monarch in English history, Elizabeth became queen in 1558 at the age of 25 and was known to be quick-witted, clever, as well as being ruthless and calculating as any king before her.

Flying solo across the Atlantic, Amelia Earhart was given the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross for being the first female to set this record. She was an American aviation pioneer, as well as becoming a bestselling author. She used her fame to promote two causes that were very important to her: the advancement of women, as well as the advancement of commercial aviation. During an attempt
to circumnavigate the globe she suddenly disappeared, never to be seen again.

In 1955 Rosa Parks helped initiate the civil rights movement in the United States when she refused to give up her seat to a white man on a bus. The day Rosa Parks was tried and convicted of violating the segregation laws, the leaders of the local black community organised a bus boycott, which lasted more than a year. During the boycott, the U.S. Supreme court ruled that the bus segregation was unconstitutional. Consequently, Rosa Parks has become recognised as a symbol of dignity and strength to end racial segregation.

Marie Curie’s contribution towards the fight against cancer is remembered because of her discovery of radium and polonium treatment. Curie was the first woman to make such a significant contribution in the field of science.

Thanks to Florence Nightingale, much of what we know about clean and organised hospitals has come from her teachings. In particular, she is famous for her work during the Crimean War, whereby she changed the face of nursing from an untrained profession to a highly skilled and respected profession.

Paula Radcliffe is a former world champion in the marathon, half marathon and cross country. She believes in hard work, determination and not setting herself limits in order to achieve her goals and ambitions in life. Some of her achievements are a three-time winner of the London marathon, three-time New York Marathon champion, as well as winning the 2002 Chicago Marathon.

In 2003 Paula Radcliffe became the fastest women’s marathon runner ever. With a world record time of 2 hours 15 minutes and 25 seconds.