Authors, scientists, philosophers or even artists… They have changed the face of the world by allowing an evolution of the place of women in our society.
And even if there is an International Women’s Day, her rights remain a daily struggle. The opportunity to come back to these women who have contributed to improving our world.
Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928)
This British politician is a pioneer in the fight for women’s rights since she created the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), the social and political union of women. Her fierce fight with the Suffragettes helped secure women’s suffrage in England from the age of 21 in 1928.
Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958)
This British molecular biologist participated in the discovery of the DNA structure . Just that ! She received the Louisa Gross Horwitz Honorary Award long after her death in 2008.
Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986)
An essential philosopher and feminist of the women’s liberation movement in the 1970s, Simone de Beauvoir is the author of the famous book “The Second Sex” . “We are not born a woman: we become one. is probably the most famous and representative quote from his literary work, a real controversy at the time.
Simone Veil (1927-2017)
Minister of Health in 1974, Simone Veil notably defended the famous bill on voluntary termination of pregnancy (IVG). The “Veil law” was passed on January 17, 1975, a key moment in the history of women’s rights.
Wangari Maathai (1940-2011)
A political and environmental activist from Kenya, Wangari Maathai is the first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize . It was in 2004, in honor of his contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace. She is often nicknamed “The Woman of the Trees”.
Marie Curie (1867-1934)
This exceptional woman is the first scientist to receive the Nobel Prize . She is also the only woman so far to have received two. She was rewarded for her research on polonium and radium.
Malala Yousafzai (born in 1997)
A Pakistani activist aged just 18, Malala Yousafzai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 , making her the youngest winner of this prestigious award. At 11, she was already taking a stand on access to education for young girls, despite the threat of the Taliban in her country.
Kathrine Switzer (born in 1947)
Kathrine Switzer is the first American woman to run the Boston Marathon in 1967 , 5 years before women were officially allowed in the competition. Jock Semple, one of the organizers of the marathon, had tried to prevent him from running, without success.
Rosa Parks (1913-2005)
A major figure in the fight against racial segregation , Rosa Parks is “the mother of the civil rights movement” . It was on December 1, 1955 that Rosa Parks made history in the United States by refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a bus.
Valentina Tereshkova (born in 1937)
She is the first woman to fly in space . This Soviet made history during her space voyage from June 16 to 19, 1963. Today, she is still the only woman to have traveled into space, alone.
Simone Segouin (born in 1925)
In 1944, aged only 19, this young woman joined the Resistance . In 1946, she received the Croix de Guerre for her remarkable dedication during the Second World War. Now 90 years old, Simone Segouin says: “If I had to do it over again, I would do it again because I have no regrets… No, I have no regrets. »
Margaret Hamilton (born 1938)
This American computer scientist and mathematician was in charge of the guidance software that made it possible to go to the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission. She is seen here posing in 1969 next to the code she wrote to give birth to this famous mission historical.
