Famous Women Who Changed The World

#1 Rosa Park

Refusing to get up from the seat for a white passenger in bus, Rosa Park initiated civil rights movement in United States for equality. December 1st, the day Parks was arrested for the incident is now observed as Rosa Parks Day.

Rosa Parks was born at Alabama in US on 4 February 1913. Parks was the active member of NAACP, being the only lady at the Montgomery Chapter, Parks became the secretory of the organization. She participated in civil right movements from 1943. International fame for this lady civil activist came with the bus incident at Montgomery. It was on 1 December 1955, Parks refused to give her seat and was arrested. Following the incident, Montgomery Improvement Association undertook a bus boycott which became a success. Continuing for months, the bus boycott ended on 20th December 1956, after lifting up the segregation on buses.

Getting in to biography of Rosa Parks, you can see, though Parks became a national figure, she had to face hardship in life in following years. Rosa Parks was awarded Presidential Medal for Freedom, NAACP's Springran Medal and Martin Luther King Jr Award for her courage to stand for civil right. Parks published her autobiography in 1992 Rosa Park: My Story. Many places were renamed to her name in recognition to her.

Rosa Park died on 24 October 2005 at the age 92. Park became the first woman to get lie in Honor at Capitol Rotunda. Many memorial programs and commemorative ceremonies were organized in her honor in following years of death. 100th Birthday of Rosa Parks was celebrated in a grand way on 4th February 2013. US President Barack Obama unveiled the statue of Rosa Park on 27th February at National Statuary Hall and Parks became the first African American Woman to have the honor.

#2 Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt is former First Lady of United States, also the longest serving First Lady of US till now. Eleanor led a life which is highly inspirational, showing importance of First Lady of the US in shaping the society by involving actively in political and human rights activities. A good writer, Eleanor have wrote many articles and books from her thoughts and experience.

Born on October 11, 1884 Eleanor Roosevelt had an unhappy childhood. She lost her parents in very young age. Headmistress Marie Souverstre of Allenswood Academy ,where Eleanor was sent to complete education became her inspiration. Thinking independently, Eleanor began new life with confidence from there.

In 1905, Eleanor got married to Franklin D. Roosevelt, who became the President of United States later. It was in 1933, Eleanor Roosevelt became the First Lady of US. During her role as the first lady of US, she traveled and participated in every social activities which made her part of controversies, also at the same time Eleanor had many supporters. She utilized news media and other communication methods to convey messages to common people.

After the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945, Eleanor continued her Human Right Activities. Universal Declaration of Human Rights while serving the first chair of UN Commission of Human Rights was one of the greatest achievement Eleanor Roosevelt got as a human right activist.

33rd US President Harry S Truman called Eleanor as the First Lady of World, recognizing her human right activities. This is My Story, On My Own, Thus I Remember are Eleanor Roosevelt books.The newspaper column ‘My Day' was wrote by Eleanor in six days of a week from 1935 to 1962 to communicate her thoughts with world. Eleanor Roosevelt died on 7 November 1962.

#3 Emmeline Pankhurst

Emmeline Pankhurst was a popular political activist worked for equal rights of women. Emmeline Pankhurst became the leader of British Suffragette movement in 19th Century and succeeded in gaining Women's right to Vote. Time Magazine named Emmeline one among 100 Most Important People in 20th Century, in the year 1999.

Emmeline was born on 15 July 1858, at England. From the very young age itself Emmeline was introduced to social activities. It's after her marriage with Richard Pankhurst in 1878 she started wide spread activity supporting welfare of women.

Founding Women's Social and Political Union in 1903, Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst and WSPU members initiated many struggles for the Women's right. Emmeline was accompanied by her daughters Cristabel and Sylvia in her activities. Emmeline and followers were arrested many time for suffragette movement.

Emmeline said: "We are here because we are not law breakers, we are law makers".

Emmeline spread importance of Women's rights, gender equality and empowering women through her speeches. Freedom or Death, her speech have influenced many people.

Giving answer to question, when women got right to vote? In 1918, Representation of People's Act passed Right to Vote for Women above 30 years. Emmeline died on 14 June 1928, it was two weeks after her death on 2nd July, Act including Right to Vote for Women of age 21 was passed. After Emmeline's death, two years later her statue was erected in Victorian Tower Gardens in her honor.

#4 Anne Frank

Anne Frank was a young writer, she got fame after the publication of her diary ‘The Diary of Young Girl', after her death. The book was wrote during World War II, while Anne Frank was hiding from Nazi soldiers. This diary of a 15 year old girl have now been translated to more than 70 languages.

Anne Frank was born on 12 June 1929. Living an ordinary life, Anne and family lived in Netherlands until German invaded Netherlands during Second World War in 1940, making Jews life miserable in Netherlands.Due to the Holocaust, Anne and family went hiding. Anne in her diary wrote about the experience of Holocaust and threats faced by Jews by Nazi's led by Adolf Hitler. She also added about the personal experience and feeling that she went along in diary. After hiding for several months, family was caught by police and following the interrogation and other procedures Anne and her sister was sent as slaves. Anne died in the year 1945, due to Typhus Fever, a kind of epidemic spread in slave camp.

Otto Frank, father of Anne Frank got diary of his daughter and started attempts to publish it. Finally, the diary got first published in 1947. In following years, diary of Anne Frank was translated in to many other languages and also published in many countries and got wide reception including in Germany, Japan, US and UK. Many criticism and legal oppositions were also held regarding the publication of diary.

Anne Frank arose as an icon for youth and in most of the places. The diary was filmed and became base for many screen plays in later years. Anne Frank was ranked among 100 Most Influential people in Times magazine. Anne Frank diary is a powerful voice of suffering of a women in War. Many museums, hospitals and organizations were given her name in honor to her posthumously.

#5 Audrey Hepburn

Honored as the third greatest American Screen legend by America Institute, Audrey Hepburn decorated big screens during the Golden Age of Holly Wood. Being a talented actress, Audrey Hepburn found time in her career to help society and children. Audrey was the brand ambassador of US UNICEF program for helping children.

Birth of Audrey Hepburn was at Belgium on 4 May 1929. Staring in British films, Hepburn started her acting career at age of 21. From then she acted in numerous movies.Break Fast at Tiffany , the movie released in 1961 gave a break to Hepburn.

Hepburn was honored with numerous honors throughout the life time. In 1953, Hepburn won Oscar Award for film Roman Holiday. BAFTA Awards, Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Academic Awards, Life time Achievement Awards and Best Actress Awards, Hepburn was honored with all these many time.

Being one among the 50 Most Beautiful Women according to Time Magazine published in 1992, Hepburn was not satisfied with her celebrity image and film career, her mentality to work for society shows her intention to help needy. Hepburn inspired society with her speech and deals.

Hepburn once said "Remember if you ever need a hand helping, it's at the end of your arm".

It's with a Radio Presentation for UNICEF, Hepburn started works with them.She decorated the position of Goodwill Brand Ambassador for UNICEF till 1993. Hepburn moved around world helping the children with programs of UNICEF. From 1950's till the death of this legendary actress, she was there for society.

#6 Princess Diana

Princess of Wales, Diana got an iconic image when the engagement with Prince Charles announced publicly. Involving in numerous charity works and undertaking fund raising programs for social welfare, Diana always been in lime light in her lifetime.

Getting married to Prince Charles on 29 July 1981, 20 year Diana became the third highest female in UK Order of Precedence. Princess Diana accompanied Prince Charles in his official duties and always stood active regarding the national affairs. Princess visited local schools, handicapped recreation centers and charity organization. Involving in treatments and caring the people suffered from HIV, Diana choose a new path in helping society being with them, apart from staying in Royal Kingdom.

Diana often presented medical equipment's to hospitals to improve the facilities in treating the sick. After divorcing Prince Charles, Diana continued her charity works. Her visit to Angola, months before her death was highly publicized. During the visit, Diana participated in awareness classes regarding the dangers of mines around villages. She also visited hospitals and children's suffered with problems by the minefields. Diana during the time and following months visited officials and made them aware of the adverse effects of land mining, this became the reason for singing the Ottawa treaty in December, months after her death which ban the anti-personal landmines internationally.

Princess Diana died in a car crash on 31 August 1997. Honors, awards and memorials in recognition to Diana are numerous. Statues of Princess Diana were erected in many places honoring her. Following unique style, attitude and behavior, Diana always had media appearances. Diana is regarded as Worlds most photographed Woman. Diana was ranked third position in 100 Great Britons of BBC polls in 2002. For her devotion for people and society, today Diana is widely known as People's Princess.

#7 Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa, missionary and a catholic religious sister proved that a single woman can make great changes leading a peaceful life. Starting congregation Missionaries of Charity which serves the poor, homeless and sick, today association is working in 133 countries with more than 4000 members.

Agnes, born on 26th August 1910 left home at age of 18 to work for poor. Name Teresa was chosen during the first vows as nun in 1931. Sister Teresa left the convent to work for poor in 1946, living among the poor and sick Teresa dedicated entire life for them.

With 13 members, Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta was started in 1950. Aim of the congregation was to serve poor, injured and wounded. Nirmal Shishu Bhavan for lost children, Nirmal Hriday for poor, Shanti Nagar for people suffered from leprosy are some among organization, Missionaries of Charity initially started.

Mother inspired audience with her simple and polite words in speech.Poem Do It Anyway by Mother Teresa is a great inspiration to humankind.

"Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love".

Fluent in speaking five languages, Mother Teresa traveled to many countries including Ethiopia, Armenia and Serbia, undertook operations to help poor and eradicate poverty. Mother Teresa was given Nobel Prize for Peace in 1979. Other honors includes Padma Shri in 1962, Bharath Ratna in 1980, Pacem in Terris Award and honorary degrees from different universities and Order of Merit from UK and US.

Gallup's List for People Americans Most Widely Admired in the 20th Century polls result in 1999 ended up naming Mother Teresa in first position. For 18 times Mother's name was included in the list during 1980's and 90's.

Mother Teresa died on September 5th, 1997. United Nations General Assembly dedicated her feast day as the International Day for Charity in 2013. Mother Teresa Women's University at Tamil Nadu started in 1984 was named in honor to her. Many films and biographical books on Mother's life was published on years after her death. Beatification, the first step to proceed canonization of Mother Teresa took place in 2003. As per the catholic religious customs, the mother lived for the poor now is known as Blessed Mother Teresa.

#8 Florence Nightingale

A social reformer, statistician, a versatile writer , above all a dedicated nurse, Florence Nightingale, Establishing the first School for Training Nurses lifted up the value of nursing profession. International Nurse Day is celebrated every year on 12 May, on Florence Nightingale's Birthday, honoring her. Serving and caring the wounded in Crimean war Florence spent day and night in hospital. Lady with the Lamp is nickname Florence got during her night rounds helping injured people in war.

Born in wealthy family, Florence parents managed to give her good education. She excelled in academic studies including history, mathematics and philosophy, also young Florence was able to write and read languages French, Greek, German, Latin and Italian.

Despite of the opposition from family Florence Nightingale interested in nursing, getting three month training from Kaiserwerth ,Germany in 1851 dedicated herself for serving the needy. Later, in 1853 she became the Superintend of a Hospital in Harley Street, this experience of Florence was the inspiration for Sidney Herbert, the war minister to appoint her to overtake in charge of rescue operation during Crimean war that broke out at the time, which became the turning point of Florence Nightingale life.

Under distressed and disasters circumstances prevailed, Florence Nightingale and the group of Nurses cleaned up the hospital, provided proper hygienic treatment for soldiers and Nightingale nursing gained great appreciation by reducing mortality rate from 42% to 2% by 1855.Florence wrote notes on nursing and articles highlighting the proper requirements needed in hospitals and other health matters. The book Notes on Nursing, published in 1859 by Florence Nightingale covered areas of hospital hygiene and sanitation, health in house, illness, noise and many more issues. Excellence in mathematics helped Florence in representing data she recorded as statistical graphs and pie charts, which gave much clear reports about the adverse health care conditions.

In 1860, Nightingale Training School of Nurses started at St Thomas Hospital, London. Now, the institute is the part of King's College London. Training provided at Nightingale nursing school, make nursing service according to her vision available in all part of world.

Florence died on 13th August 1910. Considering her medical career and contributions in nursing many recognition's were given to her. Many hospitals and monuments were named to her name and statues in her honor were erected all over the world. There is Florence Nightingale Museum at St Thomas Hospital and another Museum at Claydon House. National Florence Nightingale Award is given by President of India every year on 12 May. The Nightingale Pledge recited by new nurses during the pinning ceremony shows respect to Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing.

#9 Marie Curie

Being the first woman to win Nobel Prize twice in multiple science, Marie Curie is one among the women who proved ladies can perform well in scientific and technical world in 1870's , the period when women even feared to step out of houses. Marie Curie is most known for her findings on radioactivity, radioactive sources and invention elements Radium and Polonium.

Born on 7th November 1867, Marie Curie was the youngest daughter of secondary school teachers, from whom Marie got scientific training.

Moving to Paris in 1891, Marie continued her studies and earned the degree in Physics in 1893 and later got the degree in mathematics. Getting married to Pierre Curie in 1895, couple researched on many elements and did scientific experiments on radioactivity of elements. The dedicated scientist's couples did experiments in worst conditions and in 1898 found the radioactive element Polonium.

By 1903, Marie Curie got the Doctor of science degree, it's in same year Marie got Nobel Prize for Physics. After death of her husband Pierre Curie in 1906, Marie took his job at Sorbonne and became first lady professor of institution. It was in 1911 Marie Curie got Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Winning Nobel Prize for two times, Marie created history, became the only women to get two Nobel Prize till now. First military radiological center was established by Marie Curie, also she founded Curie Institute which became great center for medical research in Paris. During the break out of World War I in 1914, Marie dedicated herself for serving in War. Thousands of soldiers injured in war was treated in radiological center she established near battle field. The book, Radiology in War describes her experience of war.

Marie Curie died at age of 66 on 4th July 1934. Numerous awards bestowed her in Marie's lifetime other than Nobel Prize for Physics and Chemistry. Davy Medal in 1903, Albert Medal in 1910, Willard Gibbs Award in 1921 are some among them. Invention of Radium and Polonium had great impact in later experiments and studies on radioactivity. Many places and building renamed to Marie's name posthumously.

#10 Oprah Winfrey

Talk show host, American media proprietor, producer, humanitarian and activist, Oprah Winfrey is a role model for Women in this century. Born in Middle of poverty and hardship, it's the courage and talent that led to the fame today. Oprah Winfrey talk show which ran for 25 seasons in television from 1986 to 2011 gave her an iconic image.

People are talking, in 1976 is the first successful chat show hosted by Oprah Winfrey. After hosting show for eight year Winfrey signed with WLS TV's AM Chicago talk show, low rated show drastically changed to the show with high rating overtaking all other shows within no time.

It was on September 8, 1986 under the insistence of Roger Ebert, The Oprah Winfrey Talk Show started, the one hour talk show was a turning point in Winfrey's life. From a tabloid talk show, The Oprah Winfrey talk show changed to show which discuss topic on wider angles in 1990's. Show ended in 2011 and in the same year Oprah Winfrey Network, OWN Television Network was launched. According to Forbes list of rich people, Oprah Winfrey is the first black Billionaire Women.

Oprah Winfrey conducted many social activities for welfare of women and children. Oprah's Angel Network is a complete charity organization and it have raised funds and supported activities of social welfare since 1998. Winfrey giving $10 million for relief effort of Hurricane Katrina became a role model. Many other charitable and spiritual activities were also undertook by Winfrey.

For her contribution to nation, President Barack Obama honored Oprah with Presidential Medal for Freedom, the highest civilian honor. Oprah Winfrey ranked to be the Most Powerful Woman for many times in different polls. Life Magazine listed her as Americas Most Powerful Woman in 2007 and in 2010, one among 100 people changed the world.

Life in every activity and Power in presentation makes Winfrey stand ahead of all others in social activities and television, making her the most admired women.