15 trailblazing women who broke down barriers over the last 150 years

Michelle LarkinMar 9, 2021, 03:27 IST

Malala Yousafzai became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2014.Richard Stonehouse/Getty Images

The last 150 years saw a huge shift in women's rights around the world.
Susan B. Anthony helped get women the right to vote.
Rosa Parks became a symbol of the civil rights movement for her work.

In the last 150 years, women's roles have changed dramatically across the world.

With trailblazers like Susan B. Anthony and Rosa Parks fighting for equality, women today can be just about anything they set their minds to.

Although work is still being done for equal rights for all, here are a few of the women who broke down huge barriers:

Shirley Chisholm fought for racial and gender equality as the first African American woman in Congress.

Shirley Chisholm won a seat in Congress in 1969. Pictorial Parade/Getty Images

Malala Yousafzai continues to fight for the right of girls to go to school.

Malala Yousafzai spoke out against the Taliban at 11 years old. Richard Stonehouse/Getty Images

Marie Curie's groundbreaking discoveries led to the use of radiation to treat illness.

Marie Curie is the only woman to have won a Nobel Peace Prize in two different areas. Boyer/Getty Images

Junko Tabei broke gender stereotypes as the first woman to climb to Mount Everest's summit.

Junko Tabei made the trek in 1975. Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

Frida Kahlo's art celebrated the female form and Mexican culture.

Frida Kahlo is known as a feminist and LGBTQ icon. Getty Images

Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman in space.

Valentina Tereshkova took a 70-hour-and-50-minute flight into space. David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Artpoint Foundation

Katherine Johnson's keen mathematics skills helped put people in space.

Former President Barack Obama presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Katherine Johnson in November 2015. Carlos Barria/Reuters

Madam C.J. Walker became the first female self-made millionaire in the US.

Madam C.J. Walker created a brand of hair-care products. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Katharine Graham's courage led her to become the first female CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

Katharine Graham led coverage about the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. Bettmann/Getty Images

Bessie Coleman learned to fly and promoted equality.

Bessie Coleman would not attend airshows that turned away African American viewers. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Kathy Switzer was the first woman to officially complete the Boston Marathon.

Kathrine Switzer crossed the finish line again in the 2018 Boston Marathon. AP Photo/Elise Amendola

Anthony dedicated her life to fighting for women's suffrage.

Susan B. Anthony was arrested for voting in 1872. PhotoQuest/Getty Images

Parks became a symbol of the civil rights movement.

Rosa Parks has been called the "mother of the civil rights movement." Bettmann/Getty Images

Nancy Pelosi was the first female Speaker of the House.

Nancy Pelosi still holds this position today. REUTERS/James Lawler Duggan

Oprah Winfrey has earned remarkable success as an entertainment icon.

Oprah Winfrey created the Oprah Winfrey Network in 2008. Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

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