188 Items Tagged

Women's History

A painting of the city of Canton circa 1800, where Ching Shih lived before she became a pirate.

The Chinese Female Pirate Who Commanded 80,000 Outlaws

Ching Shih, who lived and pillaged during the Qing Dynasty, has been called the most successful pirate in history.

Urvija Banerji June 15, 2022

Lakshmibai, The Warrior Queen Who Fought British Rule in India

She trained a regiment of women and led armies—with a baby in tow.

Urvija Banerji February 24, 2016

The Hudson's Bay Company's outpost on the shore of Lake Saskatoon, Canada. Gunn traveled 1,800 miles between remote trading posts, disguised as a man.

female explorers

The Teen Who Trekked 1,800 Miles Through the Canadian Wilderness Disguised as a Man

Her ruse worked—until she had a baby.

Ailsa Ross January 27, 2016

A statue of Julian of Norwich

The First Woman to Publish a Book in English Lived in One Room, Walled Off From Society

Julian of Norwich wrote "Revelations of Divine Love" based on a series of visions she had in 1373 while isolated in religious observance.

Sarah Laskow December 18, 2015

A signed photograph of Harriet Quimby and Matilde Moisant.

The Daredevil Gal Pals Who Conquered the Sky

Harriet Quimby and Matilde Moisant were best friends and the first women licensed as pilots in the United States.

Hadley Meares October 12, 2015

Mary Kingsley: celebrity explorer, stickler for female fashions.

female explorers

The Victorian Traderess Who Battled Colonialism and Crocodiles in Africa

Mary Kingsley collected fish and insect samples, poked a hippopotamus, and climbed one of Africa’s tallest mountains—all while wearing a skirt.

Tao Tao Holmes September 16, 2015

An illustration of Anne Bonny and Mary Read from the 1724 book <em>A General History of the Pyrates</em>.

How Two 18th-Century Lady Pirates Became BFFs on the High Seas

Mary Read and Anne Bonny were the most feared pirate queens in the Caribbean.

Hadley Meares September 9, 2015

Hannah Snell

Britain's Most Famous 1700s Sailor Spent 4 Years Disguised as a Man

After sailing across much of the world, Hannah Snell starred in a one-woman show and became the subject of a bestselling biography.

Sarah Laskow July 1, 2015