Who is the most courageous woman in history?

Mother Teresa comes to mind again. She showed courage and conviction.

by Justine Crowley

Have you read Christopher Hitchen's book about her, The Missionary Position? It's interesting.

Technically she's a girl rather than a woman but she shows more maturity than a lot of adults: Malala Yousafzai. The Taliban shot her in the head for promoting education for girls and she survived and just went right on doing what she'd been doing.

Another living candidate would be Agnes Gereb, the Hungarian gynaecologist/midwife who was jailed for attending home births despite her safety record being better than the avearage of Hungarian hospitals.

by Jennifer Muirhead

I think you're absolutely right, Jennifer. She is so courageous.

Queen Elizabeth 1
she was just amazing, and the courage she showed in those days!
I believe where she took England, and her wisdom.
She had to deal with people every day, make the right choices, and have the courage to do it.What a woman!

by jonaja

She's a hero of mine. She held her own in a man's world.

Yes she sure did... :)

Women that come to mind include Empress Matilda, Elizabeth I, Joan of Arc, Emily Wilding Davison, and Emmeline Pankhurst.

by Bryony Harrison

All excellent choices!

Good question. I think it's pretty hard to pin it down to one. I also think it's sad they aren't celebrated more (but do let's keep up with the Kardashians). I love Joan d'Arc, I think there were a lot of women in the Resistance in France that were amazing (though often nameless), Harriet Tubman was amazing and so it goes. Interesting to see who else people suggest.

by Lydia C. Lee

Joan of Arc is one of my favourites.

by Vee

The three women in book 'The Three Cousins' War' by Philippa Gregory. About these women who dealt with absolute adversary & came out winning during the 'Wars of the Roses'.


Queen Elizabeth 1, Joan of Arc, Eleanor of Aquitaine.

All our Nurses' in the Wars. Especially those of WW1 & the horrible conditions under which they served so heroically.

by donjo