Olympias of Macedon (c.375-316 BCE) The Mom Who Made Alexander Great The much-maligned woman fought tooth and nail to position her son, Alexander, to become "the Great" - and herself in the process.
Mother Jones (Mary Harris Jones) (1837-1930) The Most Dangerous Mother in America This leader of the labor movement suffered imprisonment, defamation, and untold misery to battle against forces that most of us just take for granted.
Mother Lu (1st century CE) The Mother Who Overthrew the Xin Dynasty When a government magistrate unjustly killed her son, this unassuming middle-aged wife spent years raising an army to topple that same government.
Molly Craig (c.1917-2004) The Mother Who Walked Across Australia (Twice) The daughter of an aboriginal woman and a white man, her race led her to be kidnapped by the Australian government - only for her to escape and walk across the continent to get home... twice.
Marsha P. Johnson (1944-1992) Godmother of the Trans Civil Rights Movement This cheery godmother of trans civil rights masked a dark past of abuse.
Marie Equi (1872-1952) The Mom Who Broke Every Taboo She Could Once upon a time, there was a lesbian Wild West abortion doctor. She once horsewhipped a guy in the face and was tossed in San Quentin Prison for sedition. To the surprise of no one, she lived in Portland.
Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919) The Mother Who Made Her Own Fortune America's ostensible first female self-made millionaire was a black beauty magnate who did it all for her daughter.
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.