History That's More Than 2-Dimensional.

Personality: Intellectual

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.

Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1929)

The Most Dangerous Suffragette

This unassuming middle-aged woman became one of Britain's most notorious terrorists in her unyielding quest to win women the right to vote.

A’isha bint abi Bakr (614-678)

Mother of the Believers

Independent, bold wife of the Prophet Muhammad, she led armies in the Battle of the Camel and was one of the central figures of the Shia/Sunni civil war that continues to this day. (Note: this entry’s image follows Islamic artistic conventions to depict its figures respectfully)

Anne Hutchinson (1591-1643)

New England's Rebel Preacher

This uneducated rebel preacher upstaged New England magistrates so much that they founded Harvard University in part to prevent women like her from gaining power.

Christine de Pizan (c.1364-1430)

Architect of the City of Ladies

When her husband unexpectedly died, she rolled up her sleeves and became one of the greatest authors of the age to keep food on the table. She wrote passionate defenses of her gender (and military treatises!) that were centuries ahead of their time.

Ada Lovelace (1815-1852)

The Enchantress of Numbers

History’s first computer programmer, who invented algorithms for the first computer – which didn’t even exist during her lifetime, so she had to do it all in her head.

Wallada bint al-Mustakfi (c.1000-1091)

Andalusian Slam Poet

Spirited poetry-spouting princess who lived an audacious life and put her cheating lover on blast with her expert slam poetry.

Nana Asma’u (1793-1864)

The Princess Who Loved Learning

Massively educated princess who started all-female gang of itinerant teachers, who would roam the land and educate unsuspecting passersby.

Mary Bowser (19th century)

The Spy in the Confederate White House

Brilliant undercover spy who posed as a slave to spy on – and attempt to burn down – the Confederate White House.

Gertrude Bell (1868-1926)

Edwardian England's Loudest Advocate for Iraq

Tossed off the expectations of Victorian society to become an expert mountaineer and archaeologist, traveled the Middle East by herself – later teaching Lawrence of Arabia how it’s done – and became one of the most influential women in the English empire, advocating loudly for Iraq’s self-governance.