Mandukhai Khatun (1448-1510) The Mother Who United the Mongol Tribes Destined to be a mere political pawn, this Mongol queen rode into battle while pregnant, united the warring tribes, and was considered to be the second coming of Genghis Khan.
Labotsibeni Gwamile LaMdluli (c.1858-1925) The Mother Who Bought Back Her Country When her husband inadvertently sold the country to colonial forces, this queen spent the rest of her life getting it back.
Man-deok Kim (1739-1812) The Mother of Jeju Island When famine hit Jeju island, where she'd been exiled since birth, this prostitute-turned-businesswoman spent her fortune to feed everyone.
Juana Azurduy de Padilla (1780-1862) The Mother of Bolivian Independence This revolutionary (and mother of five) should have been the namesake of Bolivia - and that's the opinion of Simon Bolivar, the actual namesake of Bolivia!
Jigonhsaseh (12th century CE) Mother of Nations This Native American clan mother brought together 5 tribes under the Haudenosaunee Confederacy - and helped make the document that inspired the United States Constitution.
Irena Sendler (1910-2008) Mother of the Children of the Holocaust This Polish nurse sacrificed her safety, her marriage, her very family to save 2500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust.
Ilona Zrinyi (1643-1703) The Mom Who Held a Castle When her rebel husband was imprisoned, she continued the movement - by holding a castle under siege for three long, lonely years.
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (1900-1978) The Mom Who Deposed a King Through years of unrelenting protest, this Nigerian teacher felled a king, won women the right to vote, and taught all of Africa how to protest.
Fannie Lou Hamer (1917-1977) The Mother Who Marched This uneducated, impoverished activist suffered unbelievable abuse in her journey to be able to vote -- but that did not stop her.
Cut Nyak Dhien (1848-1908) The Mother of Indonesian Revolution When her (second) rebel husband was killed, this heroine of Indonesian revolution took over the fight against the Dutch.