Ida Bell Wells-Barnett (1862 – 1931), journalist, was one of the leaders of the civil rights movement in the United States. She also campaigned for womens rights, including the right to vote. Teacher Daughter of Elizabeth “Lizzie” Warrenton Wells and James Wells, both slaves, Ida Bell was born in
French aviator, Adrienne Bolland was the first woman to cross the Andes Cordillera by plane in incredible conditions. Committed and humanist, she notably took a stand for womens right to vote and became involved in the Resistance during the Second World War. The first woman to cross the Channel by
Vincentella Perini, known as Danielle Casanova (1909 – 1943) was a communist activist and resistance fighter. Leader of the Young Communists and founder of the Union of Young Girls of France, she died in deportation to Auschwitz. The Union of Young Girls of France Daughter of teachers, Vincentella
Simone Kaminker , known as Simone Signoret (1921 – 1985), was a French actress and writer. She notably won a César for best actress for her role in La Vie avant soi . First roles Daughter of Georgette Signoret and André Kaminker, journalist of Polish origin, Simone Kaminker, born March 25 1921 in
Lise Meitner is an Austrian-turned-Swedish physicist, known for her work in nuclear physics and for having played a major role in the discovery of nuclear fission. Forgotten by the Nobel Prize, she is one of the many women scientists whose work has not been recognized at its fair value. The first f
Paulette Nardal (1896-1985), is a Martinican woman of letters, inspiration of the literary current of negritude claiming black identity. She is also the first black woman to study at the Sorbonne. The Harlem Renaissance Paulette Nardal is the eldest of the seven daughters of Louise Achille and Pau
Zitkala-Ša (1876–1938), also known as the missionaries gave her, Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, was a Sioux writer, editor, musician, and activist. In her books, she described the difficulty of being Native American in American society. She also wrote the first Native American opera and created the Nation
Madeleine Cinquin, who became Sister Emmanuelle (1908 – 2008), was a French nun, teacher and writer, known and popular for her humanitarian commitments. Wishes Born in Brussels on November 16, 1908, Madeleine Cinquin is one of the three children of a wealthy Franco-Belgian couple, who made their
Stephanie Louise Kwolek (1923 – 2014) was an American scientist, known for inventing Kevlar. A chemist, she has been rewarded several times for her work in polymer chemistry. A passion for science Daughter of Nellie Zajdel Kwolek and John Kwolek, Polish immigrants, Stephanie Louise Kwolek was born
Vivian Maier (1926 – 2009) was an American street photographer whose impressive work was discovered by chance after her death. Initiation to photography Daughter of Maria Jaussaud, French, and Charles Maier, American from Austrian emigrants, Vivian Maier was born on February 1, 1926 in New York. S
Marie-Louise Lempérière, who through marriage became Marie-Louise Giraud (1903 – 1943), was guillotined in 1943 by the Vichy regime for performing 27 abortions. Helping a neighbor Marie-Louise Lempérière was born into a poor family on November 17, 1903 in Barneville, Lower Normandy . Quite young,
Louise Eugenie Alexandrine Marie David , known as Alexandra David-Néel (1868 – 1969), was a Franco-Belgian explorer, journalist and writer. In 1924, she was the first European woman to stay in Lhasa (Tibet). A militant childhood Only daughter of Alexandrine Borghmans and Louis David, Alexandra was
Dorothy Mary Crowfoot, who married Dorothy Hodgkin (1910 – 1994) was an English chemist, a pioneer in the field of crystallography for her method of determining the geometry of complex molecules. In 1964, she received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her work. A passion for science Daughter of Gra
Zora Neale Hurston (1891 – 1960) was an American writer who participated in the revival of African-American culture, notably with her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God . A literature lover Zora Neale Hurston was born on January 7, 1891 in Notasulga (Alabama, United States). Daughter of Lucy Ann H
Ruth Elizabeth Davis, known as Bette Davis (1908 – 1989) was an American actress. With a career of more than a hundred films, she is renowned for her talent and her roles as strong and tenacious women. She has been nicknamed Queen of Hollywood, Queen of Warner Studios or even First Lady of the Ameri
Andrée De Jongh (1916 – 2007) is the co-founder and leader of the Comète resistance network, an escape route for Allied soldiers during the Second World War. Between artistic and medical career Andrée De Jongh was born on November 30, 1916 in Schaerbeek, one of the 19 municipalities that make up B
Grace Patricia Kelly (1929 – 1982) is an American actress, who became Princess of Monaco by marriage. She is particularly known for her performances in several Alfred Hitchcock films. American Academy of Dramatic Arts Born November 12, 1929, Grace Patricia Kelly is the daughter of Margaret Katheri
Sophie Magdalena Scholl ( 1921 – 1943) was a German resistance fighter from the Second World War and one of the pillars of the White Rose network (Die Weiße Rose ). Enrolled in the League of German Girls The fourth of six children, Sophie Scholl was born on May 9, 1921 in Forchtenberg, a German to
Ella Jane Fitzgerald (1917 – 1996) was an American jazz singer, known by the nickname The First Lady of Song and renowned for the purity of her voice and her improvisational abilities. The beginnings of a singer Daughter of Temperance and William Fitzgerald, Ella Jane Fitzgerald was born on April
Adeline Virginia Alexandra Stephen known as Virginia Woolf (1882 – 1941) was an English woman of letters and feminist, best known for her works Mrs Dalloway and To the Lighthouse . A youth marked by drama Daughter of Julia Stephen Duckworth and Sir Leslie Stephen, Adeline Virginia Alexandra Steph
Liliʻuokalani (1838 – 1917), also known as Lydia Kamakaʻeha Paki, was the last queen of Hawaii. Kings daughter Born September 2, 1838, Liliʻuokalani is the daughter of Annie Keohokālole and Caesar Kaluaiku Kapaʻakea, two Kauaʻi chiefs , one of the main islands of the Hawaiian archipelago. In accor
Bertha Sophie Felicitas Countess Kinský von Chinic und Tettau, or Baroness von Suttner (1843 – 1914), was an Austrian pacifist. Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1905, she is one of the first people and the first woman to obtain this prize. Private Secretary to Alfred Nobel Born in Prague on June
Carrier and merchant, Cathelineau is a pious commoner. From March 1793, he launched into the Vendée revolt. His influence spreads and his group manages to overthrow Cholet, Thouars and Saumur. He was quickly appointed general-in-chief of the Catholic and royal army. The Saint of Anjou is a real idol
Born on April 15, 1642 in Constantinople, Soliman II spent the first 40 years of his life in a seraglio, a closed Muslim palace cut off from society. It was on November 8, 1687 that he ascended the throne, thus succeeding his brother Mehmet V. Described as weak and timid, he was not very fit to gove