10 female role models in history who changed the world
Most kids dream big at some point - becoming astronauts or prime ministers, breaking a world record, inventing life-changing gadgets, or discovering something incredible. But what happens when they look around and don’t see people like them in those roles?
For too long, history books have sidelined what women contributed. The pioneers, the revolutionaries, the scientists, the leaders. Their stories often go untold, leaving generations of kids with an incomplete picture of who has shaped the world. And when children don’t see examples of powerful, intelligent, trailblazing women, it’s easy for them, especially girls, to assume those roles aren’t for them.
But here’s the thing: Knowing about female role models isn’t just important for girls. Boys need to grow up seeing women as leaders, innovators, and change-makers too. They need to see that strength, intelligence, and bravery are not gendered traits, they belong to everyone.
Throughout history, women have fought for rights, made scientific breakthroughs, led revolutions, and changed the course of history. They’ve defied expectations, broken barriers, and paved the way for future generations. Yet, their names are often absent from the stories we tell.
It’s time to change that.
1. Malala Yousafzai (1997–Present)
Malala Yousafzai was only the young age of 11 years old when she started speaking out for girls’ right to education in Pakistan. In her region, the Taliban had banned girls from going to school, but Malala refused to stay silent. She wrote about her experiences, gave speeches, and became a symbol of the feminist movement and resistance. In 2012, she was shot by the Taliban for her activism – but she survived and grew even stronger.
Instead of backing down, Malala used her global platform to continue fighting for education rights. She co-founded the Malala Fund, has spoken at the United Nations, and in 2014, became the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Today, she’s a university graduate and continues advocating for girls around the world.
How to introduce Malala to your child
- Read Malala’s Magic Pencil, a beautifully illustrated children’s book she wrote about her own life.
- Watch her speech at the United Nations (search “Malala UN Speech” on YouTube). It’s powerful and easy to understand.
- Start a conversation: Ask your child how they would feel if they weren’t allowed to go to school. This can lead to a discussion about fairness, bravery, and standing up for what’s right.
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2. Marie Curie (1867–1934)
Marie Curie was a pioneer who changed the world of physics and chemistry. Born in Poland, she moved to France to study, as women at the time weren’t allowed to attend university in her home country. She went on to discover two new elements, polonium and radium, and developed groundbreaking research on radioactivity (a term she coined herself!).
Her work led to life-saving advancements in cancer treatment and medical imaging, and she became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. Not only that, but she’s still the first person (and only) to ever win a Nobel in two different scientific fields. During World War I, she even developed mobile X-ray units to help treat wounded soldiers on the front lines.
Marie Curie shattered every barrier in her path and proved that science isn’t just for men; it’s for anyone with curiosity and determination. She changed the world of modern physics.
How to introduce Marie Curie to your child
- Read Marie Curie (Little People, Big Dreams), a colourful and simple biography perfect for younger kids.
- Try a fun experiment: Use glow-in-the-dark stickers to explain how certain materials absorb and release energy, similar to how Curie studied radiation.
- Talk about perseverance: Ask your child what they would do if someone told them they couldn’t follow their dreams because of who they are. Marie Curie’s story is a great way to discuss resilience and determination.
3. Wangari Maathai (1940–2011)
Wangari Maathai grew up in rural Kenya, surrounded by lush forests and fertile land. But as she got older, she saw these landscapes being destroyed by deforestation.
Determined to make a difference, she founded the Green Belt Movement, which helped plant over 50 million trees and empowered women in local communities to take charge of environmental conservation.
She was also a fierce advocate for women’s rights and democracy. Despite facing political opposition, arrests, and even violent attacks, she never gave up. In 2004, she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Prize for her work in sustainable development and human rights.
Wangari proved that one person can make a huge impact and that protecting the planet goes hand in hand with protecting people.
How to introduce Wangari Maathai to your child
- Read Wangari’s Trees of Peace by Jeanette Winter, a beautifully illustrated book about her life and activism.
- Plant a tree together. Talk about how trees help the environment and why reforestation matters.
- Discuss perseverance: Ask your child how they would stand up for something they believe in, even if others didn’t support them. Wangari’s story is a great way to talk about courage and making a difference.
4. Faith Bandler (1918–2015)
Image sourced from Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy SEARCH Foundation
Faith Bandler was a civil rights activist who played a key role in one of the most significant moments in Australian history, the 1967 Referendum. This led to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people being recognised in the census and given equal rights under the law.
Born in New South Wales to a South Sea Islander father who had been taken to Australia as part of the forced labour trade (known as ‘blackbirding’), Faith grew up witnessing racism and injustice.
She dedicated her life to activism, fighting not just for Indigenous Australians but also for South Sea Islander rights. Her powerful speeches and relentless campaigning helped change public opinion and led to a historic ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum, even though she was not a part of a major political party.
Faith Bandler’s legacy is one of courage, persistence, and a deep belief in equality. She showed that change doesn’t happen overnight, but with determination and a strong voice, it does happen.
How to introduce Faith Bandler to your child
- Watch this Behind the News special on Faith Bandler.
- Read Say Yes: A Story of Friendship, Fairness and a Vote for Hope by Jennifer Castles, a beautiful children’s book about the 1967 Referendum.
- Talk about fairness: Ask your child how they would feel if they weren’t treated the same as others. Faith Bandler’s story is a great way to discuss justice and standing up for what’s right.
5. Rosa Parks (1913–2005)
In 1955, Rosa Parks made a simple but powerful decision that changed history – she refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama.
At the time, Black passengers were required to give up their seats for white passengers. When Rosa calmly said no, she was arrested.
Her arrest sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a movement that lasted over a year and became a turning point in the American Civil Rights Movement. It showed the power of peaceful protest and inspired people around the world to stand up against racial injustice.
Rosa wasn’t just tired that day – she was a lifelong activist who worked with civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. to fight for equality. Her courage and determination remind us that small acts of defiance can lead to big changes.
How to introduce Rosa Parks to your child
- Read I Am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer, a great kids’ book that tells her story in an engaging way.
- Role-play a real-world scenario: Ask your child how they would respond if they saw someone being treated unfairly. This helps them understand the importance of speaking up.
- Watch the short animated video The Story of Rosa Parks (available on YouTube) for a simple and powerful retelling of her impact.
6. Frida Kahlo (1907–1954)
Frida Kahlo was a painter and storyteller who used art to express her struggles, identity, and resilience.
Born in Mexico, she endured a life filled with pain after contracting polio as a child and later suffered a devastating bus accident that left her with lifelong injuries. But instead of letting her hardships define her, she turned them into powerful self-portraits that explored themes of identity, feminism, and strength. And contributed greatly to the women’s liberation movement.
Frida was unapologetically herself. She challenged beauty standards, embraced her Mexican heritage, and refused to conform to society’s expectations of women.
Her art continues to inspire people around the world, reminding us that creativity can be a form of activism and self-expression.
How to introduce Frida Kahlo to your child
- Read Frida Kahlo (Little People, Big Dreams), a beautifully illustrated children’s book about her life.
- Get creative: Encourage your child to paint or draw a self-portrait in Frida’s bold and colourful style.
- Talk about resilience: Ask your child how they express their feelings when they’re having a tough day. Frida’s story is a great way to discuss the power of art as a way to cope with challenges.
7. Jacinda Ardern (1980–Present)
Jacinda Ardern made history in 2017 when she became the Prime Minister of New Zealand at just 37 years old, making her one of the youngest world leaders at the time.
But it wasn’t just her age that made her stand out, it was the way she led.
During her time in office, she faced enormous challenges, including the Christchurch mosque attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and natural disasters.
Through it all, she became known for her compassionate and decisive leadership, proving that strength and kindness can go hand in hand. She was also the second world leader ever to have a baby while in office, showing that motherhood and leadership are not mutually exclusive.
Jacinda showed the world that political leaders don’t have to be ruthless to be effective. She inspired people – especially young women – to believe that empathy, integrity, and resilience belong in leadership.
How to introduce Jacinda Ardern to your child
- Watch clips of her speeches (search “Jacinda Ardern leadership” on YouTube) to see her calm, empathetic leadership in action.
- Read Taking the Lead: How Jacinda Ardern Wowed the World by David Hill, a fantastic children’s book about her journey.
- Discuss leadership: Ask your child what makes a good leader. Jacinda’s story is a great way to explore different leadership styles and why kindness is just as powerful as toughness.
8. Amelia Earhart (1897–Disappeared 1937)
Amelia Earhart wasn’t afraid to dream big – especially when those dreams took her thousands of feet into the sky.
In a time when aviation was still new and few women were allowed to be pilots, she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932. She shattered expectations, broke records, and inspired generations of women to pursue careers in aviation and beyond.
Amelia was a fierce advocate for women’s rights, encouraging women to follow their passions and challenge society’s limitations. In 1937, during an attempt to fly around the world, she disappeared over the Pacific Ocean, and her fate remains one of history’s greatest mysteries. Though she was never found, her legacy as a fearless trailblazer lives on.
How to introduce Amelia Earhart to your child
- Read Amelia Earhart (Little People, Big Dreams), a kid-friendly biography with beautiful illustrations.
- Make paper aeroplanes together and talk about what it means to chase big dreams, even when others say it’s impossible.
- Discuss bravery: Ask your child what they would do if they wanted to try something that no one else believed they could do. Amelia’s story is a great way to talk about courage and determination.
9. Maya Angelou (1928–2014)
Maya Angelou was a writer, poet, and activist whose words continue to inspire millions. Her early life was filled with hardship – she faced racism, trauma, and poverty – but she turned her pain into power, using storytelling as a way to speak about injustice, identity, and resilience.
Her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was groundbreaking, shedding light on racism and sexism in America. She went on to become a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, working alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Later, she became the first African American woman to recite a poem at a U.S. presidential inauguration.
How to introduce Maya Angelou to your Child
- Read Life Doesn’t Frighten Me, a children’s book based on her poem, paired with striking illustrations.
- Watch a video of her reciting Still I Rise. Her voice alone is unforgettable.
- Talk about the power of words: Ask your child what words make them feel strong. Maya Angelou’s story is a great way to explore how language can inspire and uplift.
10. Junko Tabei (1939–2016)
Junko Tabei grew up in Japan when women were expected to be homemakers, not mountain climbers.
She refused to accept that. She loved the outdoors and dreamed of scaling the highest peaks. Despite being told that mountaineering was “too dangerous for young women,” she formed an all-female climbing team and set her sights on the ultimate challenge – Mount Everest.
In 1975, she became the first woman to reach the summit of Everest, proving that determination can break any barrier. But she didn’t stop there. She went on to become the first woman to climb the highest mountain on every continent, inspiring adventurers around the world.
Junko’s philosophy was simple: “Do not give up. Keep on your quest.”
How to introduce Junko Tabei to your child
- Go on a nature walk and talk about her love for adventure. Ask your child what their biggest challenge would be if they were climbing a mountain.
- Discuss determination: Ask your child about a time they kept going even when something was hard. Junko’s story is a great way to talk about resilience and pushing past limitations.
Wrapping it up
It’s so important that our daughters learn they’re standing on the shoulders of giants. We all come from a long line of women who have fought endlessly to get us to where we are today.
But the fight doesn’t stop with them. By empowering the next generation of young people, we’re continuing the hard work of those who came before us. It’s a beautiful thread that connects each of us.
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