6 women who made history

Throughout history, countless women authors, scientists, artists, activists, and philosophers have accomplished amazing feats and changed the world for the better. To mark International Women’s Day on March 8, here’s a brief look at six inspiring women.

Rosa Parks (1913 – 2005)

1. Rosa Parks (1913 – 2005) famously refused to give up her bus seat to a white man in Alabama in 1955. This action triggered a major turning point in the fight against racial segregation.

2. Emmeline Pankhurst (1858 – 1928) was a militant champion of women’s suffrage in Britain and had a huge impact on women gaining the right to vote.

3. Simone de Beauvoir (1908 – 1986) was a French philosopher and writer. Her work has inspired many feminist movements and continues to empower women from all walks of life.

4. Simone Veil (1927 – 2017) was elected as France’s Minister of Health in 1974 and fought hard to pass a law permitting voluntary termination of pregnancies.

5. Wangari Maathai (1940 – 2011) was a political and environmental activist. She was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to democracy, peace, and sustainable development.

6. Malala Yousafzai (1997 – present) is the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner in history and has advocated for girls’ education in Pakistan since she was 11.

This International Women’s Day, take time to learn more about these and other remarkable achievements made by women.