Last Updated on December 20, 2022
It’s now common knowledge that women have made an excellent impression in the world. It hasn’t always been this way, though.
For years, many women have been set aside because of their femininity. Because of their gender, most people around the world used to see them as less powerful than men.
Luckily, that’s not the case anymore.
In this article, let’s talk about inspiring women’s stories to live by. We’ll discuss the lives of traditional and contemporary women who’ve made a positive impact throughout the years.
Table of Contents
Inspirational women’s stories around the world
Below are 8 life stories of inspiring women:
1. Rose O’Neill
Rose O’Neill was a writer, illustrator, cartoonist, and artist. In the late 1800s, she was the only female editor at Puck magazine. And as such, she was a trailblazer. She used her position to talk about racism and a variety of important issues in the world.
What makes her inspirational:
- In 1909, she gained great fame by featuring characters like Kewpie figurines and dolls in famous publications like Good Housekeeping, Ladies Home Journal, and Woman’s Home Companion. Her cartoon characters were once the most popular cartoon characters in the world
- She wrote several books of poetry and short stories such as The Loves of Edwy and The Lady in the White Veil. Women who read her works were inspired to take action and improve their own lives
- She was highly active in the women’s suffrage movement. Because of her passionate role, she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame
- As she earned her way to being the highest-paid illustrator in the world, she impressed people — notably, the women in New York . And she became the muse for the lovely song Rose of Washington Square
2. Maria Sibylla Merian
Long ago, scientists regarded butterflies and caterpillars as two separate organisms. But not anymore. Maria Sibylla Merian was one of the few human naturalists who enlightened these scientists and other people. And in order to provide the right information, she studied and sketched these insects.
What makes her inspirational:
- Because of her, many toddlers can explain to others exactly how a caterpillar turned into a butterfly. Before her work on this organism, these toddlers and everybody else were left puzzled
- She published two volumes of work about the life cycle of insects. Her work provided major insight to the branch of entomology. Because of her, people became inspired to study entomology
- Her commitment to her research about the life of insects was unwavering. She travelled to Suriname and other countries, produced in-depth drawings, and prepared freshly preserved specimen during the decades she spent observing the life cycles of insects
- In support of her work on insects, she studied plants. She focused on a plant’s color accuracy and produced engravings of these
3. Ada Lovelace
Ada Lovelace is the daughter of British poet, Lord Byron, and the first computer programmer in the world. She caught the attention of many great mathematicians because of her superb mathematical genius.
What makes her inspirational:
- In 1842, she translated an article written by an Italian military engineer. This translated piece became pivotal for the development of computers
- She designed the early computers. In addition to designing these early computers, she also indicated that computers are likely better at computing than people. She noted that compared to people, computers can handle work more accurately and more quickly
- She envisioned her people doing everything represented by stringel numbers. This made more work possible. Thanks to her, people can produce images and compose music more easily
- She strongly pushed for the study of metaphysics. She insisted that abstract concepts, imagination, and intuition were important to math and science
4. Paulina Luisi
Paulina Luisi was a trailblazer. As a physician, educator, feminist, diplomat, and social reform activist, she always had her countrymen’s back.
What makes her inspirational:
- Because of her, Uruguay became known as a powerhouse in government. Notably, it became one of only two Latin American countries that granted the power to vote to women
- She was the first woman to represent the government of Uruguay in a formal appointment of an intergovernmental delegate to intergovernmental conferences in the Western Hemisphere
- From 1922 to 1925, she held several positions on consultative panels from the League of Nations on the Treaty to End Traffic. She knew her arguments were good, and she was committed to proposing them to the right authorities
- In 1922, she became an honorary vice president of the American Conference of Women. This paved the way for the women in Uruguay to be aim for a position in higher office
5. Alice Coachman
Alice Coachman was born in 1923 and grew up in Georgia. It was at a period where segregation prevented her from joining sports teams. While her color discouraged her from dreaming big, she didn’t let anything stop her. She dreamed big anyway, took part in high jumping events, and worked hard.
What makes her inspirational:
- She set a record by winning Olympic gold in high jumping as the first black-American female. No black female ever dared to attempt joining the event before. But she knew she had a right to try because she knew she had what it takes
- In 1952, Coca-Cola reached out to her to become their spokesperson. She agreed and became the first black-American or female with an endorsement deal with the company
- She wanted to pursue higher educatoion. And because of her diligence and athletic prowess, she obtained a scholarship to Albany State College
- She started Alice Coachman Track and Field Foundation, a program that provides financial assistance to those who excel in sports. She wanted to give back and present less fortunate people to be granted the same opportunities granted to her
6. Gloria Richardson
On August 28, 1963, the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom first took place. And on stage, rallying for everyone’s jobs and freedom were all these men and one woman. The woman’s name was Gloria Richardson.
What makes her inspirational:
- She was the first woman to lead a grassroots civil rights group outside of Deep South America. During her time, it was a major problem to have a woman lead a group. But she was never bothered by it, and showed incomparable determination to fight for what she believed in
- Because of her authoritative nature, she was among the major political figures who fought for desegregation and the rights of people of color. She was a leader by heart, and she encouraged other women to always stand up for themselves
- While working in the Cambridge Nonviolent Action Cohort, she helped set up and led the committee during an unrest caused by racism and lingering segregation. She was confident in her power and abilities
- Her daughters’ protest against segregation led to a movement (highlighted in the 19th Amendment) that gave voting rights to everybody in certain states. She left a good legacy, and she was always proud of it
7. Yasmin Green
The moment Yasmin Green realized the online world was bringing terror, crime, and persecution to women, she spoke up. Unfortunately, her courage wasn’t appreciated by cyberterrorists, and she was placed under maximum security confinement with Somali pirates and Al Qaeda members. While she was silenced for some time, she continued her fight.
What makes her inspirational:
- She identifies and understands the threats that everybody faces in the cyberworld. According to her, the dangers to people’s lives are in the problematic hacks, fake news, and misinformation that continue to circulate. So she insists that people should take cybersecurity seriously
- She bravely combats internet trolls and those people who enjoy bringing terror in their victims’ lives. Considering that anonymity is one of the main reasons why these trolls feel free to be cyber-bullies, she devised a way that can complicate how these people say things anonymously
- She was inspired to create a Redirect Method. Notably, she designed it using digital advertising technologies to reach people and discourage them from joining ISIS
- She maintains a strict schedule and encourages other people to do the same. According to her, maintaining a schedule is invaluable because it helps her stay organized. Rather than simply speak up about it, she “walks the talk”. Even on days when she’s busier than usual, she makes sure she sticks to her schedule
8. Karen Sugar
Karen Sugar wanted to help females rise from poverty and promote women’s empowerment. So she started Women’s Global Empowerment Fund (WGEF), an organization in northern Uganda that makes it a reality.
What makes her inspirational:
- She teamed up with other industry leaders to open a women’s community center. There, local women can get counseling and talk about their problems
- WGEF introduced women to microfinance and provides necessary resources to expand their knowledge on the subject. This way, they can have access to funds easily
- WGEF provides a platform for women to take part in political, social, and economic activities. This way, women can always speak up about the issues in these fields
- WGEF’s Access to Justice program helps women discover their right to access court over theft-land disputes and domestic violence. This way, women can always defend themselves if they’re wronged in their own homes
Final thoughts about these women’s life stories
Many women have lives worth celebrating — and the eight women on this list show that. They’re inspirational because of their wonderful achievements.
How about you? What’s your story?
If you have a story that you believe is worth sharing, feel free to share it below.
She freelances as a web content writer from home. And she lives with the prettiest dog in the world.
