20 Remarkable Women Who Changed History: Icons Across Centuries

Trailblazers whose pioneering achievements shape our world and open new opportunities.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 26, 2025

Trailblazers whose pioneering achievements shape our world and open new opportunities.

20 Remarkable Women Who Changed History

Women’s History Month shines a light on the indelible impact that women have made on society across centuries and continents. From pioneering activists to transformative scientists, these women broke boundaries and advanced the cause of equality, justice, and progress. Here, we honor 20 extraordinary women who changed the world and whose legacies continue to inspire.

Why We Celebrate Women’s History Month

The month of March is set aside as Women’s History Month to recognize the achievements, struggles, and contributions of women across time. It is a time to remember how women’s activism, leadership, and courage shaped the world we know today—from the suffrage movement to scientific breakthroughs, from artistic revolutions to the ongoing fight for justice.

Main Historical Periods and Women’s Achievements

19th century: The seeds of the women’s rights movement and early scientific discoveries.
Early 20th century: Suffrage, cultural innovation, and civil rights activism.
Late 20th century to today: Breaking barriers in politics, business, science, the arts, and education.

20 Influential Women Who Changed the World

Sojourner Truth (1797–1883)

Role: Abolitionist and women’s rights activist

Born into slavery; became a leading voice in the fight to end slavery.
Her renowned speech, “Ain’t I a Woman?” is a cornerstone of feminist thought.
Worked tirelessly for both gender and racial equality, influencing generations of activists.

Harriet Tubman (1822–1913)

Role: Abolitionist and activist

Escaped enslavement and became the most famous “conductor” on the Underground Railroad.
Led over 70 enslaved people to freedom and later served as a spy and nurse during the Civil War.
Symbol of courage and freedom.

Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906)

Role: Women’s rights pioneer and suffragist

Co-founded the American Equal Rights Association and The Revolution newspaper.
Traveled the country advocating for women’s right to vote and equal treatment under the law.
Instrumental in the passage of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote in the United States.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815–1902)

Role: Suffragist and early leader in women’s rights

Key organizer of the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention—the first women’s rights convention.
Principal author of the Declaration of Sentiments.
Worked side by side with Susan B. Anthony to win voting rights for women.

Ada Lovelace (1815–1852)

Role: Mathematician and world’s first computer programmer

Developed the first algorithm intended for a machine—Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine.
Her vision of programmable machines anticipated the modern computer.
A benchmark for women in STEM fields.

Florence Nightingale (1820–1910)

Role: Founder of modern nursing

Transformed healthcare with her innovations during the Crimean War.
Established the first professional nursing school.
Set new standards for hospital sanitation and compassionate care.

Clara Barton (1821–1912)

Role: Nurse and founder of the American Red Cross

Provided medical care on Civil War battlefields, earning the nickname “Angel of the Battlefield.”
Founded the American Red Cross, which transformed disaster relief.

Marie Curie (1867–1934)

Role: Scientist

First woman to win a Nobel Prize—and the only person to win in two scientific fields (Physics and Chemistry).
Pioneered research on radioactivity, laying the foundation for major advances in science and medicine.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962)

Role: First Lady, activist, diplomat

Redefined the role of First Lady through advocacy for civil and human rights.
Served as chair of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, crucial to the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Amelia Earhart (1897–1937)

Role: Aviation pioneer

First woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
Her record-breaking flights challenged conventional limits for women in aviation and inspired generations.

Rosa Parks (1913–2005)

Role: Civil Rights activist

Refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the modern Civil Rights Movement.
Became a lasting symbol of dignity and direct action against racial injustice.

Katherine Johnson (1918–2020)

Role: Mathematician at NASA

Calculated critical flight paths for astronauts including John Glenn and the Apollo 11 moon landing.
Her mathematically rigorous work enabled America’s advances in space exploration, breaking both racial and gender barriers.

Indira Gandhi (1917–1984)

Role: Prime Minister of India

Led India through a dynamic and challenging period, including the Bangladesh Liberation War.
First and, to date, only female Prime Minister of India.

Margaret Thatcher (1925–2013)

Role: Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

First woman to hold the office and longest-serving British Prime Minister of the 20th century.
Implemented broad economic policies that shaped modern Britain.

Malala Yousafzai (1997–present)

Role: Education activist and Nobel laureate

Advocated for girls’ education in Pakistan, surviving an assassination attempt for her activism.
Became the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate at age 17.
Her book, I Am Malala, and her global work continue to champion girls’ right to education.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020)

Role: U.S. Supreme Court Justice

Second female and first Jewish woman appointee to the Supreme Court.
Champion for gender equality; her decisions reshaped American law on gender and civil liberties.

Aretha Franklin (1942–2018)

Role: Musician and civil rights activist

“Queen of Soul” and first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Iconic songs—such as “Respect”—became anthems for equality and empowerment.

Vera Wang (1949–present)

Role: Fashion designer and entrepreneur

Transformed bridal fashion, becoming a household name and symbol of success for Asian-Americans in design.
Recipient of numerous awards for her visionary work.

Toni Morrison (1931–2019)

Role: Novelist and Nobel Prize winner

Celebrated for exploring the African-American experience and the complexities of identity, race, and history.
Her powerful prose and deep insight opened doors for marginalized voices in literature.

Ida B. Wells (1862–1931)

Role: Journalist, educator, and early civil rights leader

Exposed the horrors of lynching in America as a pioneering investigative journalist.
Co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Broke barriers for women and Black Americans in journalism and activism.

A Table of Pioneering Women

Name	Field	Notable Achievement
Sojourner Truth	Abolition/Activism	“Ain’t I a Woman?” speech
Harriet Tubman	Abolition	Underground Railroad conductor
Susan B. Anthony	Suffrage	Led movement for women’s right to vote
Ada Lovelace	STEM	First computer algorithm
Marie Curie	Science	Nobel Prizes in Physics & Chemistry
Rosa Parks	Civil Rights	Montgomery Bus Boycott spark
Malala Yousafzai	Education	Youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Margaret Thatcher	Politics	First female UK Prime Minister

Ways to Honor Women’s History Month

Read biographies of women trailblazers and share their stories.
Support organizations that promote women’s education and equality.
Attend local or virtual events celebrating women’s contributions in history.
Highlight the role of women in your own community through social media or school projects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is Women’s History Month important?

Women’s History Month is essential for acknowledging and honoring the struggles, achievements, and leadership of women who have shaped the world. It challenges historical narratives that often omit or minimize women’s contributions and helps inspire future generations.

Who was the first woman honored during Women’s History Month?

Women’s History Month celebrates many women, but Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman are often among the earliest and most frequently commemorated due to their pivotal roles in the abolitionist movement and the fight for civil rights.

What are some ways to participate in Women’s History Month?

Participate in lectures, panel discussions, or art exhibits dedicated to women’s history.
Donate to or volunteer with nonprofits that support women’s rights and education.
Share stories of inspiring women from your family or community to keep their legacies alive.

How has women’s history shaped modern society?

From the fight for suffrage to groundbreaking achievements in STEM and the arts, women have redefined social norms, advanced rights for all, and pushed humanity forward. Their histories remind us that progress depends on inclusivity and the courage to challenge injustice.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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