Princesses

History That's More Than 2-Dimensional.

Nancy Wake (1912-2011)

The Spy With The 5 Million Franc Bounty

This most-wanted WW2 spy rescued Jews and POWs, blew up Nazi trains, and used an X-rated radio rhyme to identify herself to Britain.

Luisa Capetillo (1879-1922)

The Activist Arrested For Wearing Pants

In 1915, this rowdy Puerto Rican activist was arrested for wearing pants in public. It wouldn't be the last time she wore pants, or got arrested.

Mkabayi kaJama (c.1750-c.1843)

Power Behind the Zulu Throne

One of the most powerful women in Zulu history, this cursed princess did what was necessary to protect the realm.

Timoclea (4th century BCE)

The Woman Who Threw Her Rapist in a Well

When a soldier raped her, this woman tossed him in a well and threw rocks at him until he died.

Vitka Kempner (1920-2012)

Avenger of the Holocaust

Spy, smuggler, saboteur, partisan: this Jewish woman refused to go like a lamb to the slaughter, and fought the Nazis tooth and nail... even after the war, when she, alongside others, poisoned thousands of Nazi POWs in a revenge plot.

Cornelia Sorabji (1866-1954)

Protector. Reformer. Lawyer.

One of the first Indian women to practice law, she fought against -- and inside of -- a system that held no room for her.

Sarah Biffin (1784-1850)

The Artist Who Painted With Her Mouth

Born without arms or legs, this artist learned to write, sew, and paint with her mouth - and came to work for kings and queens.

Toregene Khatun (?-1246)

Empress of the Mongols

Although her tribe was destroyed and she was forced into an unwanted marriage, this indomitable woman came to run the world's largest empire - with a woman as her companion.

Alakhai Beki (c.1191-[post 1230])

Princess Who Runs the State

This Mongol stood up to the most fearsome man in the world and in so doing, prevented a genocide.

Anne Farquharson-Mackintosh (1723-1787)

The Lady Who Became a Colonel

When the true king of the Scots came to reclaim the throne, this spirited woman went up against her husband to back her chosen sovereign.