The following list consists of the 10 famous women leaders, and also the greatest in history from around the world. The list could be endless; however, the ones discussed below could give you the best overview of the roles these women leaders played around the world.
1. Catherine II, the Empress of Russia
Catherine II reigned as the Empress of Russia for a period of 34 years, from 28th June, 1762 until when she died. She represented the enlightened dictator of her era. During her time in power, she extended the boarders of Russian Empire westward and southward to absorb Belarus, Crimea, New Russia, Courtland and Lithuania on behalf of two powers i.e the Polish- Lithuanian Commonwealth and Ottoman Empire.
After her first Turkish-Russo war against the Ottoman Empire between the periods 1768 to 1774, she made Russia the dominant power in the south-eastern Europe. This war led to the greatest defeats in the history of the Turkish. Catherine demonstrated great awareness of her image worldwide and even wished being perceived as an enlightened and civilised monarch, despite being playing a tyrant to her country Russia.
2. Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale, who was nicknamed “the lady with the lamp”, was a writer, statistician and the founder of Modern Nursing, her lasting and greatest contribution. She created a shining example for nurses due to her diligence, commitment and compassion to patient care as well as thoughtful hospital management. The most famous contribution of Florence Nightingale came during the war of the Crimean. Additionally, during her reign, she reduced the number of deaths in the Army during the peace times and diverted attention to hygienic designs of hospitals.
3. Joan of Arc
The Saint Joan of Arc was the national heroine of France in the 15th century. She attempted and executed heresy when she was just nineteen years old. The pope pronounced the judgement invalid and she was declared innocent. After 24 years, she was declared a martyr. King Charles VII sent her to siege at the Orleans for relief mission purposes where she gained her fame when she lifted the siege after only 9 days by overcoming the rude attitude of the old commanders. Throughout her life, she remained astute and a rehabilitation testimony usually marveled at her astuteness.
4. Wu Zetian
Wu Zetian ruled China for 15 years from 690 to 705. She earned the respect of her political subjects and advisers due to her remarkable leadership and intelligence skills. Wu Zetian modernized China and established Buddhism as the main Chinese religion, converting most Chinese citizens to the religion. She accomplished several remarkable feats as one of the greatest and most famous women leader in the history of China.
5. Cleopatra
Over the centuries, Cleopatra has been a true legend. She is most remembered by many because of her love affair with Mark Antony and Julius Caesar. Additionally, she reigned over an Empire that encompassed most of North Africa. At the time, her aggressive politics and aspiration for development turned Egypt into the main world power.
6. Tomyris
Tomyris was the queen of Massagetae and became famous after killing and defeating Cyrus the Great Persian emperor. She ensured that Cyrus was beheaded. She is alleged to have preserved the head of Cyrus and even drank wines from it until she died.
7. Rosa Parks
She was an African-American civil rights activist. She became famous on 1st December 1955 when she refused to respect the order of James Blake, the bus driver, that she gives up her seat to a white passenger. This action led to the Montgomery bus boycott which was one of the biggest civil rights movements against the black racial segregation.
8. Eva Peron
Eva Peron was the Argentine first lady from 1946 to 1952 when she died. Within the pro-peronist trade unions, she became very powerful during her time as the first lady. She established various charitable organizations which created homes for the homeless and the poor. She later on became the main focal point due to her image and cult personality, with her name appearing almost everywhere.
9. Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria ruled for 63 years over the British Empire. She strove to create peace in her own empire and increased the size of her empire during her reign. She played a very important role in funding the British conservative and Liberal parties which made her one of the greatest and most famous women leaders of all times.
10. Emmeline Pankhurst
Emmeline Pankhurst established the Women’s Franchise League which was followed by the political and women social union. She was later imprisoned for drawing attention to the movement which was fighting for women suffrage. She also helped in putting women to do men’s jobs and this made her earn much respect and prominence. Emmeline also advocated that women who are above 30 years should be given a chance to vote. These efforts made her become a great woman and famous leader the world history.
