Princesses

History That's More Than 2-Dimensional.

Virginia Hall (1906-1982)

The Most Dangerous Spy of All

This "most dangerous of all spies" staged daring mountaintop escapes, prison breaks, and railway bombings -- all on her trusty wooden leg, codenamed "Cuthbert."

Mary Patten (1837-1861)

The First American Woman to Command a Ship

When her husband became deathly ill, this pregnant teen took the reins to become America's first female boat commander - all while fighting off a mutiny and keeping her husband alive.

Anacaona (c.1474-1503)

Poet Queen of Haiti

When Columbus and his crew ravaged her land, this native Haitian poet gave all to keep the peace.

Ani Pachen (1933-2002)

Tibetan Warrior Nun

When China invaded her native land, this would-be monk put down her pacifist dreams and took up arms.

Marguerite de Bressieux (15th century legend/pseudohistory)

The Black Knight Who Hunted Rapists

When soldiers sexually assaulted her and others, this woman donned armor and got revenge.

Bessie Stringfield (1911-1993)

The Motorcycle Queen of Miami

Motorcycling across America, making her living doing stunts and transporting secret government documents, this stand-out woman found family in places she didn't expect.

Mercadera (c.1245-1300)

The Farmer Who Caught a Knight

When this Spanish merchant went out to pick cabbages, she stumbled upon an unusual kind of pest: a French knight.

Black Agnes (c.1312-1369)

Defender of Dunbar Castle

When the English laid siege to her castle home, this Scottish woman bedeviled them until they gave up.

Sutematsu Oyama (1860-1919)

Japan's First College-Educated Woman

The first Japanese woman to go to college didn't have a choice. But the experience changed her - and she changed Japan in return.

Takeko Nakano (1846-1868)

The Samurai Who Refused to Die Quietly

When the end of an era was at hand, this samurai woman refused to go gently.