Fabulous Women in History

Reblogged from sciencechicks

downlookingup:

Barbara McClintock (June 16, 1902 – September 2, 1992) was an American scientist and one of the world’s most distinguished cytogeneticists. She produced the first genetic map for maize, linking regions of the chromosome with physical traits, and demonstrated the role of the telomere and centromere, regions of the chromosome that are important in the conservation of genetic information. During the 1940s and 1950s, McClintock discovered transposition and used it to show how genes are responsible for turning physical characteristics on or off. Encountering skepticism of her research and its implications, she stopped publishing her data in 1953. She was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1983 for the discovery of genetic transposition; she is the only woman to receive an unshared Nobel Prize in that category.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Book Recommendation

The Mancini Sisters, Marie and Hortense, were born in Rome, brought to the court of Louis XIV of France, and strategically married off by their uncle, Cardinal Mazarin, to secure his political power base. Such was the life of many young women of the age: they had no independent status under the law and were entirely a part of their husband’s property once married. 

Marie and Hortense, however, had other ambitions in mind altogether. Miserable in their marriages and determined to live independently, they abandoned their husbands in secret and began lives of extraordinary daring on the run and in the public eye. The beguiling sisters quickly won the affections of noblemen and kings alike. Their flight became popular fodder for salon conversation and tabloids, and was closely followed by seventeenth-century European society. The Countess of Grignan remarked that they were traveling “like two heroines out of a novel.” Others gossiped that they “were roaming the countryside in pursuit of wandering lovers.” 

Their scandalous behavior—disguising themselves as men, gambling, and publicly disputing with their husbands—served as more than just entertainment. It sparked discussions across Europe concerning the legal rights of husbands over their wives. Drawn from personal papers of the players involved, and the tabloids of the time, Elizabeth Goldsmith has written a vibrant biography of the Mancini sisters—two pioneering free spirits who were feminists long before the word existed.

You can read my review here.

Reblogged from coolchicksfromhistory

coolchicksfromhistory:

Hannah Szenes (1921-1944) dressed in a Hungarian army uniform for Purim

Hannah was born to a literary, secular Jewish family in Hungary.  The precarious situation facing Jews in 1930s Hungary deepened Hannah’s Jewish identity and led her to join Maccabea, a local Zionist student group.  As a teenager, she immigrated to Palestine without her family and enrolled in the Girls’ Agricultural School at Nahalal.  In 1941 she joined the Haganah, a paramilitary group that laid the foundation for the Israel Defense Forces.  Two years later she enlisted in the British army as a member of the Woman’s Auxiliary Air Force. 

In March 1944, she parachuted into Yugoslavia to establish contact with local partisan groups.  Not until meeting Tito’s partisans did Hannah and her two male compatriots learned that the Germans already occupied Hungary.  The men decided to abandon the mission but Hannah continued on to Hungary.  She was arrested at the border when the Hungarian police found the British military transmitter she was carrying.  Tortured in prison, Hannah refused to give up any information about British military operations, even when they threatened to torture her mother. 

On November 7, 1944 Hannah was executed by firing squad for treason. She was 23 years old.

Hannah’s diary, which covers her life up to her execution, has been published in several languages including English.  Stuff You Missed in History Class also has a great podcast on Hannah.  Thanks to thepluralisphoenixii for reminder about what a cool chick Hannah was.

Sophie Scholl (9 May 1921 – 22 February 1943) was a German student, active within the White Rose non-violent resistance group in Nazi Germany. She was convicted of high treason after having been found distributing anti-war leaflets at the University of Munich with her brother Hans. As a result, they were both executed by guillotine.

I am, now as before, of the opinion that I did the best that I could do for my nation. I therefore do not regret my conduct and will bear the consequences that result from my conduct.

Reblogged from beautifuldavinci

beautifuldavinci:

Mary Lemon Waller

Born in Gloucester, England during the mid 1800s. She was a portrait and genre painter. She studied at The Royal Academy Schools.

Her maiden name was Mary Lemon Fowler and she painted under this name before marrying Samuel Edmund Waller, the genre and animal painter. She and her husband were recorded living in St John’s Wood, London in 1881.

Mary Lemon Waller was made a member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, London in 1925 and she exhibited sixty works there. She also exhibited at The Royal Academy, London, The Society of Women Artists, London, The Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, London, The Dudley Gallery and New Gallery, London, Grosvenor Gallery, London, the Manchester City Art Gallery and at The Royal Scottish Academy.

Reblogged from miscyetsy

miscyetsy:

Photo of Annie Oakley shooting over her back using a mirror to spot her target. I am more interested in the amazing jacket she is wearing of course, but she was an amazing shot as well ;)

Reblogged from coolchicksfromhistory

coolchicksfromhistory:

Woman Member of the Secret Service, Olive H. Doyle