Historical Figures

• Carlota Lucumi, revolted against slavery

  In 1843, Carlota Lucumi (or Lukumi) was one of the leaders of the Triunvirato revolt in Cuba, against slavery and against the masters. She is considered a heroine and a martyr in the fight against slavery. “My friend” Although Carlota Lucumi was an emblematic figure of the slave revolts in the Eur

• Mwana Kupona, Swahili poetess

  Poetess from Pate Island (Kenya), Mwana Kupona binti Msham (circa 1810 -1865) wrote the long poem Utendi wa Mwana Kupona (“The Book of Mwana Kupona”), which marks the birth of Swahili literature. A little-known life What little we know of Mwana Kuponas life comes from his work and from the tes

• Marie Bracquemond, impressionist painter

  French painter, Marie Bracquemond (1840 – 1916) is one of the great ladies of Impressionism along with Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt. Long overshadowed by her husband, she is beginning to gain the recognition she deserves. Learning Marie Anne Caroline Quivoron was born on December 1, 1840 in Lan

• Buffalo Calf Road Woman, the sister who saved her brother

  Cheyenne Warrior, Buffalo Calf Road Woman or Brave Woman (1850s? – 1879) distinguished herself by saving the life of her brother, Chief Comes in Sight, during a battle against the American army. The Cheyenne credit her with the killing blow to Lt. Col. Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn. The In

• Marcello, painter and sculptor

  Swiss painter and sculptor, Adèle d’Affry, Duchess of Castiglione Colonna (1836 – 1879), exhibited her works under the pseudonym of Marcello .His work is marked by the presence of many strong female figures, inspired by Antiquity. Young wealthy girl Eldest daughter of Lucie de Maillardoz and Coun

• Mary Seacole, discriminated nurse

  Nurse Jamaican, Mary Seacole (1805 – 1881) volunteered her services during the Crimean War, but her request was rejected due to racial prejudice. She then made the 6,500 km journey alone and by her own means to the front. An educated young woman The daughter of a Jamaican healer and a Scottish of

• Rosemonde Gérard, forgotten poetess

  French poet and actress, Rosemonde Gérard (1866 – 1953) wrote poems and plays praised by the French Academy. She will put her career at half mast to favor that of her husband, the poet Edmond Rostand. Youth bathed in poetry Daughter of Sylvie Perruche and Louis Maurice Fortuné, Comte Gérard, Lou

• Mary Thomas, Queen of Rioters

  Known as Queen Mary, Mary Thomas (circa 1848 – 1905) led the workers uprising known as Fireburn, in the Danish West Indies. Unknown past Little is known of the life of Mary Thomas before the 1878 uprising. Originally from Antigua, she was born in the 1840s and settled on Sainte-Croix Island, then

• Ogino Ginko, Japan's first female doctor

  First woman to obtain the title of doctor in Japan, Ogino Ginko (1851 – 1913) is committed to womens rights and opens a hospital specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. Birth of a vocation Ogino Ginko was born on March 3, 1851 into a wealthy peasant family in the province of Musashi, today hui

• Madge Syers, figure skating pioneer

  Pioneering figure skater, Madge Syers (1881 – 1917) took advantage in 1902 of a regulation not specifying the gender of participants to register for the World Championships; she finished second. The passion for skating Born on September 16, 1881 in London, Florence Madeline Cave was one of the fi

• Sarah Harris Fayerweather, determined student

  Civil rights activist, Sarah Harris Fayerweather (1812–1878), was the first black student to attend Canterbury Female Boarding School of Prudence Crandall, considered the first integrated school in the United States. In search of education Daughter of Sally Prentice Harris and William Monteflora H

• Cathay Williams, first African-American soldier

  Born a slave, Cathay Williams (1844 – 1893) enlisted in the United States Army under a male identity. She is the first black woman to enlist, and the only known to have impersonated a man. The Civil War Born in Independence (near Kansas City, Missouri, USA), Cathay Williams is the daughter of ensl

• Nehanda Nyakasikana, insurgent medium

  Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana (circa 1840–1898) was a svikiro , a medium from the Shona people in Zimbabwe. Considered the reincarnation of a 15th century princess, she inspired a movement of revolt against the British colonists. The spirit of Nehanda Nehanda Nyakasikana was born around 1840 in Rhod

• Cécile Fatiman, priestess at Bois-Caïman

  Voodoo priestess and heroine of Haitian independence, Cécile Fatiman (18th – 19th centuries) is known for having presided over the famous Bois-Caiman ceremony. Slave in Santo Domingo Daughter of an African slave and a Corsican reputed to be a prince, Cécile Fatiman is sold as a slave with her mot

• Mary Ann Shadd Cary, human rights activist

  Canadian journalist and lawyer, Mary Ann Shadd Cary (1823 – 1893) campaigned against slavery. She is the first black woman to found a newspaper in North America. A militant childhood Born October 9, 1823, in Wilmington, Delaware, Mary Ann Shadd was the eldest of thirteen children of Harriet Burton

• Sultan Shah Jahan Begum, Queen of Bhopal

  Nawab of the Principality of Bhopal, India, Shahjahan Begum (1838 – 1901) ruled effectively and is still considered a great and popular ruler. Sovereign at 6 Born on July 29, 1838 in Islamnagar, in the principality of Bhopal (India), Shahjahan is the only surviving child of Sikandar Begum (a titl

• Paula Modersohn-Becker, pioneer of Expressionism

  German painter, Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876 – 1907) is a pioneer of expressionist movement. A cultured child Third among the seven children of Mathilde Becker and Carl Woldemar Becker, Paula Becker was born on February 8, 1876 in Dresden (Germany) into a middle-class family. His mother comes f

• Mary Bowser, a spy in the White House

  Born into slavery, Mary Elizabeth Bowser (circa 1839 –?) posed as a servant and spy for the Union during the American Civil War. The information it collects plays a very important role. Born a slave Born around 1839, Mary Richards was born into slavery to the family of Eliza Baker and John Van Lew

• Jeanne Deroin, legislative candidate in 1849

  A feminist and socialist activist, Jeanne Deroin (1805 – 1894) made headlines in 1849 by presenting herself as a candidate in the legislative elections, at a time when women were neither voters nor eligible. The subjugation of women Jeanne Deroin was born on December 31, 1805 in Paris in a modest

• Seh-Dong-Hong-Beh, leader of the "Amazons" of Dahomey

  Seh-Dong-Hong-Beh (19th century) led an all-female army nicknamed the Amazons of Dahomey (now Benin). She led up to six thousand women into battle, storming a fortress. An army of six thousand women Extremely little is known about the life of Seh-Dong-Hong-Beh, whose name means God speaks the Tr