History That's More Than 2-Dimensional.

Story: Downer

Toregene Khatun (?-1246)

Empress of the Mongols

Although her tribe was destroyed and she was forced into an unwanted marriage, this indomitable woman came to run the world's largest empire - with a woman as her companion.

March 19, 2018 in Modern Worthies

Marielle Franco

Brazil's Anti-Police-Brutality Martyr Activist

When she was assassinated for her critiques of the police, protests broke out across Brazil.

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.

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.

Soraya Tarzi (1899-1968)

The Human Rights Queen of Afghanistan

1920s Afghanistan was a progressive and rapidly-modernizing country in large part to the most powerful, empathic, and maligned queen it had ever seen.

February 22, 2016 in Modern Worthies

Nangeli

The Woman Who Challenged the Oppressive Breast Tax

In the 19th century, one woman's protest against an oppressive tax led to its end, as well as her own.

Truganini (1812-1876)

The most famous native Tasmanian of all time

The "Last of the Aboriginal Tasmanians" (she wasn't) used brains, brawn, and sheer will to carve a place for herself, even as the world was collapsing around her.

Ranavalona I (1778-1861)

The Female Caligula

This brutal sovereign's reign saw her outlaw clapping, pioneer death by feet-kissing, and design giant weaponized scissors - but are we only getting one side of the story...?

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.