1947-
1945-
1951-
1916-2000
1953-2007
Catherine II was empress of Russia, and led her country into the political and cultural life of Europe, carrying on the work begun by Peter the Great.
1729-1796
Shirley Chisholm was the first black congresswoman, and the first African-American woman to make a bid for the U.S. Presidency.
1924-2005
As queen of ancient Egypt, Cleopatra is one of the famous female rulers in history. The stories surrounding Cleopatra's tragic life inspired a Shakespeare play.
69-30
When Hillary Rodham Clinton was elected New York's senator in 2001, she became the only American first lady to hold national office. She currently serves as Secretary of State.
1947-
Geraldine Ferraro was the first female Vice Presidential candidate representing a major American political party.
1935-2011
Indira Gandhi was the third Prime Minister of India, serving from 1966 until 1984, when she was assassinated.
1917-1984
1920-
Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the world's first elected black female president and Africa's first elected female head of state.
1938-
1830-1930
1830-1917
1945-
1898-1978
Angela Merkel is the current Chancellor of Germany. She assumed office in 2005.
1954-
Politician Nancy Pelosi became the first female Democratic Leader of the House of Representatives as well as the first female Speaker of the House.
1940-
Frances Perkins was the first female to serve in the U.S. presidential cabinet. As secretary of labor, she helped with the New Deal and Social Security.
1882-1965
1931-
Elizabeth I was the long-ruling Queen of England, governing with relative stability and prosperity for 44 years. The Elizabethan era is named for her.
1533-1603
Queen Victoria, Queen of Great Britain from 1837 - 1901, is best known for the longest reign of any other British monarch in history.
1819-1901
Jeanette Rankin was the first woman to serve in the U.S. Congress. At that time, many women still didn't have the right to vote.
1880-1973
Margaret Thatcher was the first woman to head the conservative party and the first to become prime minister of England with a tenure lasting from 1979-1990.
1925-
Victoria Woodhull was a spiritualist, activist, politician and author who was the first woman to run for the presidency of the United States.
1838-1927