* Queen consort of France from 1547 to 1559, regent from 1560 to 1563
* Catherine was a major player in the French Wars of Religion, which were fought between Catholics and Protestants. She supported the Catholic side, and her policies led to the deaths of thousands of Protestants.
* Catherine was also a patron of the arts and sciences, and she founded several schools and hospitals.
2. Elizabeth I (1533-1603)
* Queen of England and Ireland from 1558 to 1603
* Elizabeth was a Protestant, and her reign saw the establishment of the Church of England. She also oversaw the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, which secured England's position as a major naval power.
* Elizabeth was a popular monarch, and she is considered one of the greatest rulers in English history.
3. Mary Queen of Scots (1542-1587)
* Queen of Scotland from 1542 to 1567
* Mary was a Catholic, and her reign was marked by religious conflict. She was eventually forced to abdicate and flee to England, where she was executed in 1587.
* Mary was a controversial figure, and she is still considered a martyr by some Catholics.
4. Juana Inés de la Cruz (1651-1695)
* Mexican poet, playwright, and philosopher
* Juana Inés de la Cruz was a brilliant scholar, and she wrote several important works on philosophy, theology, and literature. She was also a vocal advocate for women's rights.
* Juana Inés de la Cruz died at the age of 43, but her work continues to be studied and admired today.
5. Anne Hutchinson (1591-1643)
* American Puritan minister and theologian
* Anne Hutchinson was a religious reformer who was persecuted for her beliefs. She was eventually banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and she moved to Rhode Island, where she founded a new colony.
* Anne Hutchinson was a courageous woman who stood up for her beliefs, even when it meant risking her life. She is considered one of the most important figures in American religious history.