History That's More Than 2-Dimensional.

Collection: Martyrs

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.

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.

Pingyang (c.600-623)

The Princess Who Toppled a Dynasty

This unlikely heroine created her own Woman's Army of 70,000 soldiers through good manners and political savvy - and then used it to overthrow one of China's greatest douchebags.

Sarraounia (late 1800s - early 1900s)

The Sorceress Queen of the Azna

The "panther queen" of the Azna defeated some of the greatest villains of French colonial history through wits, cunning -- and possibly magic.

Hypatia (350~370? - 415)

The Martyr Mathematician

The first female mathematician in recorded history, and one of the luminaries of the ancient world - but her grisly death at the hands of a mob was only the start of her troubles.

Noor Inayat Khan (1914-1944)

The Spy Princess

Pacifist Indian princess who gave up everything of herself to hold the line in occupied Paris during World War 2.

Mariya Oktyabrskaya (1905-1944)

The Tank-Driving Widow

When her husband was killed in WW2, she sold all their belongings, bought a tank, named it Fighting Girlfriend, and started killing Nazis.

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.

Neerja Bhanot (1963-1986)

Heroine of the Hijack

When terrorists hijacked her plane, she gave her life to save it, becoming the youngest recipient of India's highest honor.

Empress Myeongseong (1851-1895)

The Queen Who Fought to Save Korea

Picked to be an impotent figurehead, this savvy intellectual quickly learned how to play politics and modernized the nation to ward off invasion.