HERSTORY: Women of History
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From Adolf Hitler, Napoleon Bonaparte to Mao Zedong, these men proved to be an interesting topic in our history class, highlighting their rise and fall, contributions and failures in humanity. At some point we are wondering what about the women? What about her story? That is for sure an interesting observation.
Question raised
Upon writing this article, an important question was raised:
Why were the role of women played a limited attention from historical discussion and how does this affect the precise interpretation of our past?
Marginalized role of women
If we tend to focused on analyzing the chaos, fights, wars and deaths as well as the rise of heroism, it can be surely assumed that male figurative characters will always dominate and that women are depicted out of the picture.
It is essential to understand this certain gaps to the fact that knowing their roles will likely expand our understanding and perspectives in past historical events.
These are some women who emerge from being away in the limelight to becoming a key and active players in the course of the past with some them played an iconic heroic roles and some were the villains.
Joan of Arc
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Joan of Arc was also known for the title as “The maid of Orlean”. For those who are not familiar with her, Joan of Arc played an important role in the dark years of the Lancastrian phase on the famously known as the Hundred years of Wars.
She was part of some important battles like the battle of Jargeau, Siege of Orleans , Battle of Beaugency, A March to Reims and considered to be a heroic icon in several battles.
French society was deeply in Chaos that time and still was recovering from the devastating Black Death as well as the bouts of insanity from the leader that who was Charles VI.
As early as 1428-1429 Joan of Arc rose to prominence as she began to take part and influence events. At such a young age of 16, she managed to led Great War and involved herself in the military testing her leadership and eventually won. In her time, Joan was very effective and efficient leader that turned the long Anglo-French conflict into religious war.
She died at the age of 19, after getting in court and was declared guilty she was burned at stake.Nonetheless, charges against her was debunked and pronounced her innocent and eligible to be declared as Martyr on the later years and became the national symbol of France.
Queen Cleopatra
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Love her of hate her, "The first and last queen of Egypt" Cleopatra is probably one few women that is really popular in discussion. The last active ruler happens to be woman in the Ptolemaic kingdom of Egypt.
Historians would often described Cleopatra as Charismatic, charming, smart woman whom she used for her advantage. Cleopatra VII started to rule ancient Egypt as co-regent (first with her two younger brothers and then with her son) for almost 30 long years.
Her charismatic seductive looks had caught the attention of some prominent Roman Emperors to her advantage. Her credentials include being so well-educated, smart and medical writer plus the fact Cleopatra could speak various languages enables her to a very strong leader. Some of her title was goddess Isis, the sister-wife of Osiris and mother of Horus.
Of course she was unforgettable for the fact that her romantic liaisons and military alliances with the Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony created some buzz and made her name talked about as enduring place in history and pop culture. Her death on 30 B.C. remains to be a center of debate as theories by historians conclude that a poisonous snake known as the asp was the one she used for her death that signifies dive royalty.
Catherine the Great
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From another Great warrior, here comes another. Your highness the Princess of Russia. Her original name Sophie Friederike Auguste, Prinzessin (princess) von Anhalt-Zerbst, and the turning point of her life was at age 14 ,she was chosen to be the wife of Karl Ulrich, duke of Holstein-Gottorp, grandson of Peter the Great and heir to the throne of Russia as the grand duke Peter making her on the upper hand possibly.
Catherine was applauded by the people for her intelligence, understanding,flexibility of character, and love of Russia gained her much needed support. Which was completely opposite to her husband. Catherine was determined to trained well for her upcoming role in the sovereign of the nation.
She was also a very interesting characters as she had at least three lovers and none of her children are said to fathered by his husband, interesting right? But looking into the bigger picture her main goal was to lead Russia since Peter was incapable of ruling, it was the perfect opportunity and the possibility of eliminating him and governing Russia herself.
It was until the death of her husband that she rise to power, making alliance with Prussia and upgrade their military prowess and won battles. She also reformed some law and annexed territories that they defeated like the Crimea making them twice a threats geographically. Catherine the great reorganized the administration and law of the Russian Empire and extended Russian territory and involved them self in cultural and political events in the European continent.
Queen Victoria
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From another royalty to another fierce queen, " The Queen that reigns for 63 years" is truly deserving to be talk about. To date she is currently the second-longest reigning British monarch after Queen Elizabeth II who now surpassed her. As we all know The British had many territories during her reign with her title includes a serving empress of India from 1877, until her death in 1901 which was their territory.
We cannot deny the fact that during her long reign , British was in full prosper and power. Victoria's reign saw great cultural expansion and making the British a powerhouse that time, a great advances in industry, science and communications or also called the age of industrialization with the great evident of advancements, building of railways, trains and the London Underground were made possible.
Life in Britain during the 19th century was known as Victorian England because of Queen Victoria’s long reign and the indelible stamp it and her persona placed on the country was feared by many. It was the glory days of the Anglo people as they were able expanded its imperial reach, doubling in size and encompassing Canada, Australia, India and some in Africa and the South Pacific which was a big achievement. The Queen died at the age of 81.
Mother Teresa
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From the lists above who were royals , warriors and fierce, Mother Teresa was completely opposite to that. Compared to the lists above Mother Teresa is more like to be the Contemporary woman of history. She was famously known as "Saint Teresa of Calcutta". She was of an Albanian-Indian descent.
Mother Teresa was known due to her big hearts for the masses, love for the children and environment. We cannot disregards how many people adore her as Moer Teresa praised by many for her charitable work. She was admired and criticised for her opposition to abortion. She founded many charitable institutions and travelled to many countries ih quest for her mission that she said was a tasked from God.
She also founded an international charity foundation that would prioritize the needs of the poor children. According to what I have read, Mother Teresa in the year 1996 had already operated 517 missions in over 100 countries serving the poor. Throughout the years she dedicated her whole life helping other people.
"Where is my faith? Even deep down ... there is nothing but emptiness and darkness ... If there be God—please forgive me. When I try to raise my thoughts to Heaven, there is such convicting emptiness that those very thoughts return like sharp knives and hurt my very soul."~Mother Teresa
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Honorable Mention
- Zenobia
- Lakshmibai, the Rani of Jhansi
- Jane Austin
- Borte Ujin
- Margare Thatcher
- Corazon Aquino
- Indira Ghandi
- Theodora
- Many more
Conclusion
Women have come a long way and history is the living evidence on that. Although we only heard a few glimpse of their lives and often disregarded, We cannot neglect that many of powerful women have shaped the course of history with their intelligence, strength, passion, and leadership qualities that make them equally important to men.
The important thing there is recognizing the success and triumph of these women in all facets of life – science, government, literature, art, sports, medicine or in society as this signifies on the development of self-respect and new opportunities for girls and young women, right?
As a history student I guess it is time to rewrite the history of the women. Marginalization further causes to widens the gap and affect the flaw of the past. By just digging deeper in the the context of history countless other of women did great things and writing their history would be exceptional. Simply because we have the right to change our story and change the world.
Thank you so much for reading my article.
What are your thoughts? Do you agree with me?
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