Girls, Women, strength vs Stereotypes, and an Unsplash invitation

No longer little delicate princesses, girls, women, are now fierce and stalwart fighters in the mind games and war rooms of today's society. They have long moved away from the norm, and are poised to be the worthwhile, leaders, trendsetters and trailblazers of tomorrow.

THE ARTICLE BELOW WAS FOUND ON UNSPLASH, AND I DECIDED TO EXPAND ON THE IDEA OF THE NEWLY REDISCOVERED WORLD THAT REPRESENTS THE GREAT STRENGTH AND COURAGE OF WOMEN FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

THIS STRENGHT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE. LONG AGO IT HAD TO BE SUPPRESSED FOR FEAR OF PAIN, ANGUISH AND EVEN DEATH.

Although we live in 'modern times' there are still women who are being oppressed, the vast majority of women now enjoy the freedom of representing who they are freely, and are able to pursue whatever course they wish their lives to follow.

There are and still will be, challenges to freedom no matter the time that we live in.

FROM UNSPLASH:

Girls vs. Stereotypes

Curated by

Plan International USA

Plan International USA and a community of girls are collaborating with Unsplash for Good to rethink the ways girls are seen, and repopulate images that represent the power of girls. Because girls are not only “pretty” and “sweet” but also “strong” “courageous” and “bold.” From now until September 15th, we invite you to submit images that show girls as they really are, in all their diversity and strength.

We must first give thanks for those who have gone before and those who are still fighting for the power of the female form, freedom, forcefulness and equal rights.

Beginning at the beginning. From an article by Paul Ratner and The Big Think, we identify some of the powerful women who went before.

Zenobia, (240-275) was queen of the Palmyrene empire in Syria. She challenged the authority of the Roman Empire in the 3rd century, conquering Egypt, Anatolia, Lebanon and Roman Judea. She was finally defeated by the Roman emperor Aurelian. She had already proved her point.

Cleopatra, (69-30 BC) was the last Pharoah of Ptolemaic Egypt, known for her SUPERIOR INTELLIGENCE, and improving her country's standing and economy.

Lakshmibai, the Rani of Jhasi, (1828-1858) was the queen of India's Jhansi State, and one of the leaders of the Indian rebellion of 1857, also known as India's first war of Independence against British rule.

Joan-of-Arc, (1412-1431) was a French Heroine, and a saint to Roman Catholics. She was thought to have mystical visions and rallied French troops to defeat the English, among other victories. She was eventually betrayed by the English and burnt at the stake.

Borte Ujin, (1161-1230) was the wife of Genghis Khan, and Empress of the Mongolian empire, the largest land empire in history. She was one of Ghengis Khan's most trusted advisors, and ruled the Mongol homeland while he was away at war.

There were other women like, Indira Ghandi (1917-1984) first and only female Prime Minister of India. A powerful and controversial woman, who was assassinated. Margaret Thatcher, Queens Victoria and Elizabeth, Empress Dowager Cixi of China, Maria Theresa of Austria,(1717-1780) who had sixteen children, some of whom also became queens. She controlled parts of Europe, including Austria, Hungary, Croatia, bohemia and parts of Italy. She is known for her reforms in education. establishing a science and literature academy, and supporting scientific research.

Hatshepsut, (1508 BC-1458 BC) was an ancient Egyptian Pharoah, considered to be one of the country's most successful rulers, overseeing major building projects and military campaigns, while rebuilding broken trade networks.

Catherine the Great (1729-1796), also known as Catherine II, was undoubtedly one of history’s most famous women. Born in Poland, as a German princess, she attained rule of Russia through marriage and held on to it for 34 years (especially after she plotted to overthrow her husband and assumed complete power). She is responsible for continuing Peter the Great’s work in modernizing Russia, bringing it more in line with the West’s Enlightenment ideas. She also defeated the Ottoman Empire in two big wars.

Empress Wu Zetian (624-705) was the only female Emperor in Chinese history, living during the Tang Dynasty.

Elizabeth I (1533-1603) was one of most powerful English monarchs ever. Never married and called the “Virgin Queen,” the intellectual Elizabeth I defeated the Spanish Armada and ruled successfully for so long that her reign from 1558 until 1603 is known as the “Elizabethan Era”. As a monarch, the last of the Tudor dynasty, she encouraged major cultural changes like the Renaissance and the transformation of England into a Protestant country.

More modern role models and successful women include:

Mala Yousafzai, youngest Nobel prize laureate, almost assassinated at age 15 by the Taliban for campaigning for women's and children's rights.

SPORTS

Karren Brady of football in Birmingham city, while encountering great bias and sexism in her role of first lady of football. Phoene Schecter, first female NFL coach.

Serena and Venus Williams, following in the footsteps of women like Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova and others, setting the bar high for others to follow. Best of wishes to Serena on her great success, retirement and her plans for the future. Tennis will surely miss you.

Tanni Grey-Thompson, UK's most successful paralympian, competing in wheelchair marathons and winning many medals.

MEDIA

Oprah Winfrey. Queen of media, overcame a background shrouded in poverty, to become a legend in entertainment. Activist, Campaigner and TV host, the richest African American of the 20th Century, and the youngest female Billionaire in history.

POLITICS

Michele Obama. A lawyer and writer, she became an inspiration for many when she became the first African American First Lady of the United States in 2009.

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, described as the most powerful woman in the world.

EDUCATION

Emma Gonzalez, when gunmen killed many in her school, she stood up and demanded change. 17 young ones died in Parkland, Florida in 2018.

“We are going to be the kids you read about in textbooks. Not because we're going to be another statistic about mass shooting in America, but because, just as David said, we are going to be the last mass shooting.”

They were not!

FILM

Emma Watson, actress, model and activist.

Katherine Bigelow, the first and only Academy award winning female Director in Hollywood to date.

NATURE

Jane Goodhall, British Conservation and Environmental expert, and world's first chimpanzee expert.

A CTIVISM

Pussy Riot, Russian feminist pop punk band, campaigning for women's and other rights, including the allowance of political competition in Russia.

Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin, a young Nigeria teacher, changing the faces of communities in her country. Founding, and teaching girls coding, web development and design. Named most inspirational woman in the world on BBC's 2018 list.

The list is long and cannot all be mentioned here. Women who have been an inspiration and tough acts to follow in the female dream of total and satisfying personal achievement.

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Disclaimer:

Some information for this article was obtained from articles by Paul Ratner and Big Think, and from Megan Lupton's '50 Women who are changing the world today'.