History That's More Than 2-Dimensional.

Collection: Adventurers

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.

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.

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.

Sophie Morigeau (1836-1916)

Hard-Living, Hard-Bargaining Frontier Woman

The only use this Canadian badass had for pretty pink bows was to adorn her own rib — which she amputated from her own body after an accident.

Freydís Eiríksdóttir (c. 1000 CE)

Sword-Wielding Pregnant Viking

When attacked by Native Americans, this pregnant viking bared her chest, brandished a sword, and took them on by herself. And she won.

Ida Laura Pfeiffer (1797-1857)

The Travelogue Queen

Starting her travels at 45 years old, this globetrotter became a worldwide sensation for going boldly where no woman had gone before.

The Heroine Ancient Iran Wanted

This superhero of early Iranian mythology starred in her own stories, and plenty of them.

Boomerang-wielding Ghost Hunter

When flying cannibal ghosts kidnapped two women, there was no man that could save them. But there was a woman.

Isabelle Eberhardt (1877-1904)

The Undefinable Adventurer

This undefinable adventurer's life burnt bright but short: a wildcard of the Algerian revolution, she survived an assassination attempt by sabre, and died in a freak desert flood.

Catalina de Erauso (1585/92-1650)

The Lieutenant Nun

After escaping from a convent, this swashbuckler had the strength to chase her dreams: which were apparently to drink, fight, and womanize.