52 Powerful Photos Of Women Who Changed History Forever

Nathan Johnson Published 08/14/2014

These women have changed history forever by being strong, brave, and human, regardless of societys expectations for them.

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1.
Jeanne Manford marches with her gay son during a Pride Parade. 1972
2.
Women railroad workers at lunch. Many were the wives and even mothers of the men who left for war. 1943
3.
Ellen ONeal, one of the first professional female skaters. 1976
4.
A Swedish woman hitting a neo-Nazi protester with her handbag. The woman was reportedly a concentration camp survivor. 1985
5.
Parisian mothers shield their children from German sniper fire. 1944
6.
Female members of the Hell's Angels gang. 1973
7.
Winnie the Welder. 1943
8.
A Muslim woman covers the yellow star of her Jewish neighbour with her veil to protect her from prosecution. Sarajevo, former Yugoslavia. 1941
9.
Female volunteers learn how to fight fires at Pearl Harbor c. 1941 - 1945
10.
106-year old Armenian woman protecting her home with an AK-47. 1990
11.
Some of the first women sworn into US Marine Corps. August, 1918
12.
Anna Fisher, "the first mother in space" 1980s
13.
Two women show uncovered legs in public for the first time in Toronto. 1937
14.
Filipino guerilla, Captain Nieves Fernandez, shows a US soldier how she killed Japanese soldiers during the occupation. 1944
15.
Komako Kimura, a prominent Japanese suffragist at a march in New York. October 23, 1917
16.
Sabiha Gken of Turkey poses with her plane, in 1937 she became the first female fighter pilot.
17.
Marina Ginesta, a 17-year-old communist militant, overlooking Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War. 1936
18.
Margaret Bourke-White, a photographer, climbing the Chrysler Building. 1934
19.
Kathrine Switzer becomes the first woman to run the Boston Marathon, despite attempts by the marathon organizer to stop her. 1967
20.
Girls deliver heavy blocks of ice after male workers were conscripted 1918
21.
A Dutch woman refuses to leave her husband, a German soldier, after Allied soldiers capture him. She followed him into captivity. 1944
22.
Women boxing on a roof in LA. 1933
23.
A woman drinking tea in the aftermath of a German bombing raid during the London Blitz. 1940
24.
A female mason high above Berlin. c. 1900
25.
Elspeth Beard, during her attempt to become the first Englishwoman to circumnavigate the world by motorcycle. 1980s
26.
Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim across the English Channel. 1926
27.
A woman suffrage activist protesting after "The Night of Terror." 1917
28.
A captured Soviet soldier is given water by a Ukrainian woman after being captured. 1941
29.
Afghan women at a public library before the Taliban seized power. c. 1950s
30.
A mother plays with her child on the beach. c. 1950s
31.
Aviator Amelia Earhart after becoming the first woman to fly an aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean. 1928
32.
Afghan women studying medicine. 1962
33.
A British sergeant training members of the mums army Women's Home Defence Corps during the Battle of Britain. 1940
34.
The iconic photo of a concerned pea-picker and mother of seven children during the Dust Bowl. 1936
35.
Women's Liberation Coalition March, Detroit, Michigan. 1970
36.
Women's league roller derby skaters in New York. March 10, 1950
37.
The first womens basketball team from Smith College 1902
38.
18 year old French Rsistance fighter, Simone Segouin, during the liberation of Paris. 19 August 1944
39.
A Los Angeles Police Officer looks after an abandoned baby in the drawer of her desk. 1971
40.
Female snipers of the Soviet 3rd Shock Army. May 4, 1945
41.
A tattooist's wife. 1907
42.
Voting activist Annie Lumpkins at the Little Rock city jail. 1961
43.
Annette Kellerman posing in a swimsuit that got her arrested for indecency. c. 1907
44.
A mother shows a picture of her son to returning prisoners of war in an attempt to find him. Vienna, 1947
45.
Leola N. King, America's first female traffic cop, Washington D.C. 1918
46.
Erika, a 15-year-old Hungarian fighter who fought for freedom against the Soviet Union. October 1956
47.
American nurses land in Normandy. 1944
48.
Photograph of a female samurai warrior. c. late 1800s
49.
A female Lockheed employee working on a P-38 Lightning Burbank, California, 1944
50.
A Red Cross nurse takes down the last words of a British soldier. c. 1917
51.
Female pilots leaving their B-17, "Pistol Packin' Mama" c. 1941 - 1945
52.
Sarla Thakral, 21 years old, the first Indian woman to earn a pilot license. 1936

1.
Jeanne Manford marches with her gay son during a Pride Parade. 1972
2.
Women railroad workers at lunch. Many were the wives and even mothers of the men who left for war. 1943
3.
Ellen ONeal, one of the first professional female skaters. 1976
4.
A Swedish woman hitting a neo-Nazi protester with her handbag. The woman was reportedly a concentration camp survivor. 1985
5.
Parisian mothers shield their children from German sniper fire. 1944
6.
Female members of the Hell's Angels gang. 1973
7.
Winnie the Welder. 1943
8.
A Muslim woman covers the yellow star of her Jewish neighbour with her veil to protect her from prosecution. Sarajevo, former Yugoslavia. 1941
9.
Female volunteers learn how to fight fires at Pearl Harbor c. 1941 - 1945
10.
106-year old Armenian woman protecting her home with an AK-47. 1990
11.
Some of the first women sworn into US Marine Corps. August, 1918
12.
Anna Fisher, "the first mother in space" 1980s
13.
Two women show uncovered legs in public for the first time in Toronto. 1937
14.
Filipino guerilla, Captain Nieves Fernandez, shows a US soldier how she killed Japanese soldiers during the occupation. 1944
15.
Komako Kimura, a prominent Japanese suffragist at a march in New York. October 23, 1917
16.
Sabiha Gken of Turkey poses with her plane, in 1937 she became the first female fighter pilot.
17.
Marina Ginesta, a 17-year-old communist militant, overlooking Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War. 1936
18.
Margaret Bourke-White, a photographer, climbing the Chrysler Building. 1934
19.
Kathrine Switzer becomes the first woman to run the Boston Marathon, despite attempts by the marathon organizer to stop her. 1967
20.
Girls deliver heavy blocks of ice after male workers were conscripted 1918
21.
A Dutch woman refuses to leave her husband, a German soldier, after Allied soldiers capture him. She followed him into captivity. 1944
22.
Women boxing on a roof in LA. 1933
23.
A woman drinking tea in the aftermath of a German bombing raid during the London Blitz. 1940
24.
A female mason high above Berlin. c. 1900
25.
Elspeth Beard, during her attempt to become the first Englishwoman to circumnavigate the world by motorcycle. 1980s
26.
Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim across the English Channel. 1926
27.
A woman suffrage activist protesting after "The Night of Terror." 1917
28.
A captured Soviet soldier is given water by a Ukrainian woman after being captured. 1941
29.
Afghan women at a public library before the Taliban seized power. c. 1950s
30.
A mother plays with her child on the beach. c. 1950s
31.
Aviator Amelia Earhart after becoming the first woman to fly an aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean. 1928
32.
Afghan women studying medicine. 1962
33.
A British sergeant training members of the mums army Women's Home Defence Corps during the Battle of Britain. 1940
34.
The iconic photo of a concerned pea-picker and mother of seven children during the Dust Bowl. 1936
35.
Women's Liberation Coalition March, Detroit, Michigan. 1970
36.
Women's league roller derby skaters in New York. March 10, 1950
37.
The first womens basketball team from Smith College 1902
38.
18 year old French Rsistance fighter, Simone Segouin, during the liberation of Paris. 19 August 1944
39.
A Los Angeles Police Officer looks after an abandoned baby in the drawer of her desk. 1971
40.
Female snipers of the Soviet 3rd Shock Army. May 4, 1945
41.
A tattooist's wife. 1907
42.
Voting activist Annie Lumpkins at the Little Rock city jail. 1961
43.
Annette Kellerman posing in a swimsuit that got her arrested for indecency. c. 1907
44.
A mother shows a picture of her son to returning prisoners of war in an attempt to find him. Vienna, 1947
45.
Leola N. King, America's first female traffic cop, Washington D.C. 1918
46.
Erika, a 15-year-old Hungarian fighter who fought for freedom against the Soviet Union. October 1956
47.
American nurses land in Normandy. 1944
48.
Photograph of a female samurai warrior. c. late 1800s
49.
A female Lockheed employee working on a P-38 Lightning Burbank, California, 1944
50.
A Red Cross nurse takes down the last words of a British soldier. c. 1917
51.
Female pilots leaving their B-17, "Pistol Packin' Mama" c. 1941 - 1945
52.
Sarla Thakral, 21 years old, the first Indian woman to earn a pilot license. 1936

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NEXT GALLERY 34 Funny Comments and Wild Posts to Make You Roll Your Eyes

1. Jeanne Manford marches with her gay son during a Pride Parade. 1972

2. Women railroad workers at lunch. Many were the wives and even mothers of the men who left for war. 1943

3. Ellen ONeal, one of the first professional female skaters. 1976

4. A Swedish woman hitting a neo-Nazi protester with her handbag. The woman was reportedly a concentration camp survivor. 1985

5. Parisian mothers shield their children from German sniper fire. 1944

6. Female members of the Hell's Angels gang. 1973

7. Winnie the Welder. 1943

8. A Muslim woman covers the yellow star of her Jewish neighbour with her veil to protect her from prosecution. Sarajevo, former Yugoslavia. 1941

9. Female volunteers learn how to fight fires at Pearl Harbor c. 1941 - 1945

10. 106-year old Armenian woman protecting her home with an AK-47. 1990

11. Some of the first women sworn into US Marine Corps. August, 1918

12. Anna Fisher, "the first mother in space" 1980s

13. Two women show uncovered legs in public for the first time in Toronto. 1937

14. Filipino guerilla, Captain Nieves Fernandez, shows a US soldier how she killed Japanese soldiers during the occupation. 1944

15. Komako Kimura, a prominent Japanese suffragist at a march in New York. October 23, 1917

16. Sabiha Gken of Turkey poses with her plane, in 1937 she became the first female fighter pilot.

17. Marina Ginesta, a 17-year-old communist militant, overlooking Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War. 1936

18. Margaret Bourke-White, a photographer, climbing the Chrysler Building. 1934

19. Kathrine Switzer becomes the first woman to run the Boston Marathon, despite attempts by the marathon organizer to stop her. 1967

20. Girls deliver heavy blocks of ice after male workers were conscripted 1918

21. A Dutch woman refuses to leave her husband, a German soldier, after Allied soldiers capture him. She followed him into captivity. 1944

22. Women boxing on a roof in LA. 1933

23. A woman drinking tea in the aftermath of a German bombing raid during the London Blitz. 1940

24. A female mason high above Berlin. c. 1900

25. Elspeth Beard, during her attempt to become the first Englishwoman to circumnavigate the world by motorcycle. 1980s

26. Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim across the English Channel. 1926

27. A woman suffrage activist protesting after "The Night of Terror." 1917

28. A captured Soviet soldier is given water by a Ukrainian woman after being captured. 1941

29. Afghan women at a public library before the Taliban seized power. c. 1950s

30. A mother plays with her child on the beach. c. 1950s

31. Aviator Amelia Earhart after becoming the first woman to fly an aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean. 1928

32. Afghan women studying medicine. 1962

33. A British sergeant training members of the mums army Women's Home Defence Corps during the Battle of Britain. 1940

34. The iconic photo of a concerned pea-picker and mother of seven children during the Dust Bowl. 1936

35. Women's Liberation Coalition March, Detroit, Michigan. 1970

36. Women's league roller derby skaters in New York. March 10, 1950

37. The first womens basketball team from Smith College 1902

38. 18 year old French Rsistance fighter, Simone Segouin, during the liberation of Paris. 19 August 1944

39. A Los Angeles Police Officer looks after an abandoned baby in the drawer of her desk. 1971

40. Female snipers of the Soviet 3rd Shock Army. May 4, 1945

41. A tattooist's wife. 1907

42. Voting activist Annie Lumpkins at the Little Rock city jail. 1961

43. Annette Kellerman posing in a swimsuit that got her arrested for indecency. c. 1907

44. A mother shows a picture of her son to returning prisoners of war in an attempt to find him. Vienna, 1947

45. Leola N. King, America's first female traffic cop, Washington D.C. 1918

46. Erika, a 15-year-old Hungarian fighter who fought for freedom against the Soviet Union. October 1956

47. American nurses land in Normandy. 1944

48. Photograph of a female samurai warrior. c. late 1800s

49. A female Lockheed employee working on a P-38 Lightning Burbank, California, 1944

50. A Red Cross nurse takes down the last words of a British soldier. c. 1917

51. Female pilots leaving their B-17, "Pistol Packin' Mama" c. 1941 - 1945

52. Sarla Thakral, 21 years old, the first Indian woman to earn a pilot license. 1936

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1.
Jeanne Manford marches with her gay son during a Pride Parade. 1972

2.
Women railroad workers at lunch. Many were the wives and even mothers of the men who left for war. 1943

3.
Ellen ONeal, one of the first professional female skaters. 1976

4.
A Swedish woman hitting a neo-Nazi protester with her handbag. The woman was reportedly a concentration camp survivor. 1985

5.
Parisian mothers shield their children from German sniper fire. 1944

6.
Female members of the Hell's Angels gang. 1973

7.
Winnie the Welder. 1943

8.
A Muslim woman covers the yellow star of her Jewish neighbour with her veil to protect her from prosecution. Sarajevo, former Yugoslavia. 1941

9.
Female volunteers learn how to fight fires at Pearl Harbor c. 1941 - 1945

10.
106-year old Armenian woman protecting her home with an AK-47. 1990

11.
Some of the first women sworn into US Marine Corps. August, 1918

12.
Anna Fisher, "the first mother in space" 1980s

13.
Two women show uncovered legs in public for the first time in Toronto. 1937

14.
Filipino guerilla, Captain Nieves Fernandez, shows a US soldier how she killed Japanese soldiers during the occupation. 1944

15.
Komako Kimura, a prominent Japanese suffragist at a march in New York. October 23, 1917

16.
Sabiha Gken of Turkey poses with her plane, in 1937 she became the first female fighter pilot.

17.
Marina Ginesta, a 17-year-old communist militant, overlooking Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War. 1936

18.
Margaret Bourke-White, a photographer, climbing the Chrysler Building. 1934

19.
Kathrine Switzer becomes the first woman to run the Boston Marathon, despite attempts by the marathon organizer to stop her. 1967

20.
Girls deliver heavy blocks of ice after male workers were conscripted 1918

21.
A Dutch woman refuses to leave her husband, a German soldier, after Allied soldiers capture him. She followed him into captivity. 1944

22.
Women boxing on a roof in LA. 1933

23.
A woman drinking tea in the aftermath of a German bombing raid during the London Blitz. 1940

24.
A female mason high above Berlin. c. 1900

25.
Elspeth Beard, during her attempt to become the first Englishwoman to circumnavigate the world by motorcycle. 1980s

26.
Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim across the English Channel. 1926

27.
A woman suffrage activist protesting after "The Night of Terror." 1917

28.
A captured Soviet soldier is given water by a Ukrainian woman after being captured. 1941

29.
Afghan women at a public library before the Taliban seized power. c. 1950s

30.
A mother plays with her child on the beach. c. 1950s

31.
Aviator Amelia Earhart after becoming the first woman to fly an aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean. 1928

32.
Afghan women studying medicine. 1962

33.
A British sergeant training members of the mums army Women's Home Defence Corps during the Battle of Britain. 1940

34.
The iconic photo of a concerned pea-picker and mother of seven children during the Dust Bowl. 1936

35.
Women's Liberation Coalition March, Detroit, Michigan. 1970

36.
Women's league roller derby skaters in New York. March 10, 1950

37.
The first womens basketball team from Smith College 1902

38.
18 year old French Rsistance fighter, Simone Segouin, during the liberation of Paris. 19 August 1944

39.
A Los Angeles Police Officer looks after an abandoned baby in the drawer of her desk. 1971

40.
Female snipers of the Soviet 3rd Shock Army. May 4, 1945

41.
A tattooist's wife. 1907

42.
Voting activist Annie Lumpkins at the Little Rock city jail. 1961

43.
Annette Kellerman posing in a swimsuit that got her arrested for indecency. c. 1907

44.
A mother shows a picture of her son to returning prisoners of war in an attempt to find him. Vienna, 1947

45.
Leola N. King, America's first female traffic cop, Washington D.C. 1918

46.
Erika, a 15-year-old Hungarian fighter who fought for freedom against the Soviet Union. October 1956

47.
American nurses land in Normandy. 1944

48.
Photograph of a female samurai warrior. c. late 1800s

49.
A female Lockheed employee working on a P-38 Lightning Burbank, California, 1944

50.
A Red Cross nurse takes down the last words of a British soldier. c. 1917

51.
Female pilots leaving their B-17, "Pistol Packin' Mama" c. 1941 - 1945

52.
Sarla Thakral, 21 years old, the first Indian woman to earn a pilot license. 1936