In honour of international women's day, we decided we wanted to look at some incredibly inspiring women who may not be celebrated as much as they deserve.
1. Mae Jemison
Jemison was the first black woman to travel into space when she served on the Endeavour space shuttle in 1992. She graduated from Stanford University with degrees in chemical engineering, and African and African-American studies, as well as then getting a medical degree from Cornell. She worked as a doctor for the Peace Corps in Liberia and Sierra Leone, applying to NASA in 1985. After leaving NASA, Jemison founded her own technology research company and created a non-profit educational foundation, which brings science education to children.
2. Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi is a Burmese politician, author, diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. She served as State Counsellor of Myanmar and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2016 to 2021. She has also served as chairperson for the National League of Democracy since 2011 and has played a valuable role in the transition to democracy in Myanmar. She became one of the world's most major political prisoners when she was put under house arrest for 15 years after her party won 81% of the seats in parliament in 1990.
3. Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft was a philosopher, writer and advocate for women's rights during the 1700s. Her best-known novel, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Women' (1792), argues that women are not naturally inferior to men and that both men and women should be treated as rational beings - a comment that would have completely shaken society. The novel is widely considered one of the first feminist philosophies.
4. Mary Seacole
Mary Seacole was a British-Jamaican nurse who set up the 'British Hotel' behind the lines during the Crimean War. She nursed many soldiers back to health, being applauded for her 'compassion, skills and bravery'. In a 4-day fundraiser on the Thames in 1858, crowds reaching 80,000 came out to show support and celebrate Seacole.
5, Rani Lakshmibai
Rani Lakshmi Bai was Queen of India's Jhansi State. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, she was one of the most pivotal leaders and became a symbol of resistance and power. She lead her army against confrontations with occupiers, in what became known as India's first war of independence against the British Empire. She was known for refusing to give up, even when her forces were greatly outnumbered,