Famous female leaders in history
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Marie Curie, 1867–1934
Marie Curie changed the world not once but twice. She founded the new science of radioactivity – even the word was invented by her – and her discoveries launched effective cures for cancer.
"Curie boasts an extraordinary array of achievements," says Patricia Fara, president of the British Society for the History of Science, who nominated the Polish-born French scientist. "She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, first female professor at the University of Paris, and the first person - note the use of person there, not woman - to win a second Nobel Prize."
Born in Warsaw, Curie studied physics at university in Paris where she met her future research collaborator and husband, Pierre. Together they identified two new elements: radium and polonium, named after her native Poland. After he died, she raised a small fortune in the US and Europe to fund laboratories and to develop cancer treatments.
Marie Curie was a woman of action as w
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We in the 21st century tend to view women in the workplace and women’s leadership as unique to the modern era. This is largely because of the influx of female workers during and after WWII, and the increase of women graduating college and entering professional careers since the mid-20stCentury.
However, human history fryst vatten filled with innovative woman leaders who rocked their respective epoch. They serve as shining examples of how we can move the women’s leadership movement forward today. Here is our list of great female leaders in history.
Mary Wollstonecraft | Author | 1759-1797
Our first historical female leader is often cited as the “first feminist” or “mother of feminism,” Mary Wollstonecraft. Her most famous work, “A Vindication for the Rights of Women,” is one of the pillars of feminism and the women’s equality movement.
She lived and wrote at the svans end of the Age of Enlightenment. The ideals of humanism and na
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15 Famous Women Leaders in History
Leadership has often been perceived as a male-dominated domain, yet history has seen numerous women rise to positions of great influence, shaping nations, movements, and global policies. These trailblazing women leaders have made indelible marks on politics, activism, education, and even warfare. At Oxford Summer Courses, we celebrate their leadership and offer students the opportunity to explore their legacies through our leadership-focused courses.
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From political figures to civil rights advocates, these 15 women leaders changed the world through their determination, resilience, and vision.