14 Inspiring Women Who Have Changed the World

The process so the society can fully accept tattoos has been very long. Maud Wagner was the first tattooist woman in the United States and the also the first one that had tattoos all over her body. This served as inspiration for many women.

This sainted woman selflessly served the poor. She established an order of nuns who joined her in tending India’s dying and destitute. The Sisters of Charity expanded her work, establishing worldwide hospices, orphanages, and homes for the chronically ill.

In this image you can see how five women help by holding two hoses as part of her training to be voluntary on Pearl Harbor, a task that not everybody were willing to do.

Born into poverty in Mississippi, Oprah has donated millions of dollars to assist the underprivileged worldwide. Through her book club and TV show of 25 years, she has revolutionized the way women think, eat, and exercise. Oprah has made her mark as one of the most generous benefactors of the 21st century.

This photo was taken in 1985, when many people were suffering from the neo-Nazi influence in European countries. A Swedish woman hits a protester with all her strenght leaving all people astonished.

Dr. Hopper is credited with inventing COBOL, the computer language that spawned business software. She was also the first female Navy officer to achieve the rank of rear admiral. Her numerous contributions to the field of computer science earned her the nickname “Amazing Grace.”

The sign she has says “Parents of gays unite to support our children.” This is the phrase that took Jeanne to protest with her son. The photo was taken in 1972, at the International Gay Pride Day.

This anesthesiologist birthed the APGAR Scale, a test that’s now routinely done to assess infant health. The acronym cleverly conveys what it measures – Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration. Low scores signal the need for urgent medical intervention. Thanks to the work of Dr. Apgar, infant deaths have been dramatically reduced for the past 50 years.

This was the first woman to participate in the Boston Marathon back in 1967. Even with all impediments, Kathrine Switzer ran with all her strenght. In the picture you can see how they try to stop her from running.

The prolific author of the Harry Potter series has made reading a fascinating pastime for youth. She’s helped us see the world as brimming with magical possibility. Ms. Rowling has also shown us the power of perseverance. She took up writing to fend off depression as a 25-year-old divorced, unemployed mother. Within five years of publishing her first Potter book, her income was in the millions.

In the forties, when men began to go to war, the women decided not to stop working and feel as they were also adding something to the situation lived on those days. At that time, many mothers and wives began to work on the railway.

She changed the world by founding the Girl Scouts movement. What began as a small group of 18 is now a global organization. Her goal was to help girls develop into self-sufficient leaders. The Girl Scouts raises up women of courage and confidence, making our world a better place.

Ellen O’Neal had a lot of style, but not only this, it also had a lot of guts. She was one of the first professional skateboarder, though many people criticized her because it was back in the seventies.

An icon of political reform, Benazir Bhutto was distinguished as the first female prime minister of Pakistan. She worked passionately on behalf of women, political prisoners, the poor, and her country’s economy. The world lost a brave leader when she was assassinated during an election rally at the age of 54.

There is no age to stop fighting, or at least I believe this is what the Armenian woman of 106 years old thought. The conflict in her country was very dangerous, so she decided to protect her home with an AK-47 gun in the nineties.

The crowning achievement of this tennis champion was winning the “Battle of the Sexes” match against Bobby Riggs in 1973. She led legislation granting equal prize money and playing opportunities for women. Since her “volley heard ’round the world,” she continues to combat discrimination on behalf of AIDS victims and the gay community.

In the seventies, motorcycle gangs were very famous. Women did not want to be just expertators. They also wanted to travel on groups and ride a motorcycle.

The actress with the golden voice has charmed the world with her talent. Her four-octave musical range landed her leading roles in My Fair Lady, Mary Poppins, and The Sound of Music. Surgery in 1997 to remove throat nodules has since limited her vocal range. Nevertheless, she continues to enchant through non-singing roles in children’s films and books.

Elspeth had a dream and she was sure she was going to succeed. She wanted to travel the world, but not by plane, but on her motorcycle. In 1980 she became the first woman to do so, it was definitely a great adventure.

Lillian Gilbreth gained fame as the “mother of modern management.” While raising 12 children, she worked as an engineer and industrial scientist. Her career achievements include advancing the field of motion study, improving workplace efficiency, and designing appliances for the disabled. She was a superwoman to the 12th degree.

Women wanted also to highlight in sports, so many were forced to fight in order to succeed. This was the case of Gertrude, the first woman to cross the English Channel in 1926.

This physician became the first African-American woman to travel in space. She’s also served in the Peace Corps, worked in a Cambodian refugee camp, acted in a “Star Trek” TV episode, and founded a technology research firm. Awarded nine honorary doctorate degrees, her intelligence is phenomenal.

This picture was not taken in America but in India. In the thirties, the demand of airplanes began to increase and women also wanted to drive them. In 1936, Sarla became the first girl to be licensed as a pilot.

At the age of 19 months, Helen Keller lost her hearing and vision to illness. After learning to communicate, she dedicated her life to aiding the blind. As a result of her efforts, braille became the standard system of writing and reading for people with vision loss. She lobbied for federal financial assistance and raised funds for the vision-impaired. Most of all, she gave people with disabilities hope for a fulfilled life.

When the United States decided to be part of the Second World War, many women were willing to help. Winnie became famous as a shipyard welder in 1943.

This poet and novelist was a driving instrument of change. She knew the depths of emotional pain. She was born poor, raped as a child, and worked strip clubs as a young single mother. Ms. Angelou zealously defended the rights of women, youth, and the neglected. She conveyed her insights with conviction and eloquence. Maya Angelou was one of the world’s wisest women. Grab the World by the Lapels! These were the fervent words of Maya Angelou. Paint the world with your gifts and talents. Sing the story of your inner glory. Dance to the tunes of your generous heart. You’re an inspiration in your own right. You’re a bright and shining star!