Princesses

History That's More Than 2-Dimensional.

Josefina Guerrero (1918-1996)

Leper Spy of the Philippines

Let her leprosy go untreated for years to make herself the perfect spy in the Japan-occupied Philippines - soldiers wouldn't touch her, so she could slip right through.

Mary Lacy (1740-1801)

The First Female Shipwright

This self-described “undutiful daughter” posed as a man to become the world’s first female shipwright.

Nwanyeruwa (Early 20th century)

Instigator (and Peacekeeper) of the Igbo Women's War

Instigated a massive "women's war" against British taxation, the effect of which was one part protest movement, one part comedy roast, and one part block party.

Pope Joan (9th century)

The Pope Who Gave Birth

This pope was largely assumed to be male until she gave birth in the midst of a procession - and largely assumed to be factual until the 13th century.

Mary Bowser (19th century)

The Spy in the Confederate White House

Brilliant undercover spy who posed as a slave to spy on – and attempt to burn down – the Confederate White House.

The Valiant Ladies of Potosi (17th century)

Teen Vigilantes of the 1600s

Eustaquia de Souza and Ana Lezama de Urinza, two sword-and-gun-toting lesbian teen vigilantes – 17th century Bolivia’s answer to Batman.

Gertrude Bell (1868-1926)

Edwardian England's Loudest Advocate for Iraq

Tossed off the expectations of Victorian society to become an expert mountaineer and archaeologist, traveled the Middle East by herself – later teaching Lawrence of Arabia how it’s done – and became one of the most influential women in the English empire, advocating loudly for Iraq’s self-governance.

Yaa Asantewaa (c.1830-1921)

Queen Mother of the Golden Stool

As an old woman, led an incredibly successful rebellion against British colonialism, known as The War of the Golden Stool, or the Yaa Asantewaa War.

Trung Trac and Trung Nhi (1st century)

The Sisters Who Stomped China

Sisters who led an army on elephant-back to overthrow oppressive Chinese rule and establish a short-lived Vietnamese kingdom.

Elizabeth Bisland (1861-1929)

The Journalist Who Raced Around the World in 80 Days

Rose from poverty to become a respected journalist who raced Nellie Bly around the world.