1158: Bettisia Gozzadini First Known Woman to Have Taught at a University Born: 1209, Bologna, Papal States (Present-day Bologna, Italy) Died: 2 November 1261, Bologna, Papal States (Present-day Bologna, Italy) Bettisia taught at the University of Bologna after obtaining a law degree. She was reportedly so skilled as an orator that she quickly outgrew her…
1157: Cartimandua Queen of the Brigantes Born: Unknown, Ancient Britannia (Present-day Britain, United Kingdom) Died: After c.69 AD, Ancient Britannia (Present-day Britain, United Kingdom) Also Known As: Cartismandua The Brigantes were the biggest territorial tribe in Britannia, encompassing modern-day Yorkshire. Most of what we know about Cartimandua comes from the Roman author Tacitus. According to…
1156: Cynisca Spartan Princess Born: c.440 BC, Ancient Sparta (Present-day Sparta, Greece) Died: Unknown Also Spelled: Kyniska or Kyneska Cynisca was also the first woman in history to win at the Olympic Games. She competed with a chariot drawn by four horses—notably, however, she did not physically compete as a driver. Cynisca was a breeder…
1155: Ehyophsta Cheyenne Warrior who Fought in the Battle of Beecher Island Born: c.1826, Possibly Colorado, United States of America Died: c.1915, Cheyenne Reservation Lands Her name meant “Yellow Haired Woman.” The Americans won the battle, which took place in Colorado in 1868. The battle erupted after American army forces decided to press back against…
1154: Elisabetta Sirani Baroque Painter and Printmaker Born: 8 January 1638, Bologna, Papal States (Present-day Bologna, Italy) Died: 25 August 1665, Bologna, Papal States (Present-day Bologna, Italy) Elisabetta was arguably the most famous female artist in early modern Bologna. In her day, Bolognese society was some of the most free-thinking and liberal in all of…
1153: Epicharis Well, That’s One Way to Make Your Mark Died: c. 65 CE, Ancient Roman Empire Epicharis was a freedwoman (former slave) living in Ancient Rome. She is most known for being a part of the team attempting to assassinate Emperor Nero. The plot is known today as the Pisonian Conspiracy. Other conspirators included…
“I will show them that a Belgian woman knows how to die.” Gabrielle’s Final Words 1152: Gabrielle Petit British Secret Service Spy During World War I Born: 20 February 1893, Tournai, Belgium Died: 1 April 1916, Scharbeek, Belgium Full Name: Gabrielle Alina Eugenia Maria Petit Gabrielle was the middle child of three in a family…
“Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame. Blessed is the flame that burns in the secret fastness of the heart. Blessed is the heart with strength to stop its beating for honor’s sake. Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame.” 1151: Hannah Szenes Poet and Special Operations Executive Paratrooper During World War II…
1150: Hannah Adams The First Woman to Work Professionally as a Writer in the United States Born: 2 October 1755, Medfield, Massachusetts Bay Colony (Present-day Medfield, Massachusetts, United States of America) Died: 15 December 1831, Brookline, Massachusetts, United States of America Hannah had no formal schooling. She was born into a large family headed by…
1149: Awashonks Sunksqua of the Sakonnet Tribe Born: c.1620-1640, Most Likely Present-day Rhode Island, United States of America Died: after 1683, Present-day United States of America Awashonks means “She who is Queen” and was her title, not her name. Unfortunately, her actual name has been lost to history. Sunksqua is the feminized term for Sachem,…