Top 5 Inspirational Women in History!
1. Elizabeth “Lee” Miller (1907-1977) –
Model, Photographer and Iconic War Photojournalist Our heroine of wartime photojournalism. From a fashion modelling career in New York who move to Paris to pursue a passion for Surrealism, Lee Miller never let anyone tell her she couldn’t do something.
She was living in the UK at the outbreak of WWII and rather than returning home to the USA, Miller embarked on a new mission: to become a frontline war correspondent for British Vogue.
She ignored those who told her it wasn’t possible and succeeded in convincing the Condé Nast publication to print her work; her images went on to become some of the most iconic taken during the war.
2. Edith Cavell (1865-1915) – Heroic Nurse
A beacon of hope and an angel of the nursing bed. During the First World War Edith Cavell nursed soldiers of all nationalities, enemy or allied, and helped some 200 allied soldiers escape German-occupied Belgium.
This year marked 100 years since her death, and we celebrated the life of this brave and resolute woman who put care and aid above all else including her own personal safety.
Even after her arrest by the German forces and in the face of the death penalty, never once during her trial did, she deny the accusations led against her. Edith famously declared “someday, somehow, I am going to do something useful” and you too have that opportunity ahead of you.
3. Benazir Bhutto (1953-2007) –
First Female Prime Minister of Pakistan How many women have been the Prime Minister of Pakistan to date? Precisely one and that makes Benazir Bhutto both exceptional and a record holder.
It takes a certain presence, power and political prowess to be elected to power once; Bhutto did it twice. Famously charismatic and politically shrewed, she sought to strengthen Pakistan’s economy and national security.
Her passion for Pakistan touched her people that her assassination propelled her political party back into power due to an overwhelming vote of compassion and sympathy. Benazir’s determination to lead her country and transcend gender barriers is a lesson to us all.
4. Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel (1883–1971) –
Pioneering Fashion Designer Founder of the now iconic fashion house Chanel, Coco is so much more than just a fashion designer. She is the only one of her professions to be credited in the Time’s 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century.
Famous for her ambition and visionary style, Coco created the new female style and liberated women’s fashion from the traditional corseted silhouette. She often used men’s clothing and adapted it for the feminine form to give the clothes a sense of masculine power.
Notoriously difficult to work for with unwavering belief in her creative ideas, Chanel proved that determination and uncompromising innovation are the key to success.
5. Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) –
Revolutionary Writer It’s likely that other names come to mind first when thinking about feminism, including some of the women above, but Mary Wollstonecraft may perhaps be the woman who started it all.
Her Vindication of Rights of Women, published in 1792, is considered one of the first feminist philosophical tracts of the movement.
