The phrase “beauties with brains” refers to women who are both intelligent and attractive. There are many amazing women throughout history who fit this description. These women have not only demonstrated extraordinary intelligence and challenged societal norms but paved the way for future generations of women and contributed significantly to their respective fields. Here is a compilation of 100 extraordinary women who broke the invisible glass ceiling and reshaped the world:
Queen Elizabeth II – longest-reigning monarch in British history
The longest-reigning monarch in British history. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states in her lifetime and remained the monarch of 15 realms till the time of her death. Her reign of over 70 years is the longest of any British monarch, the longest of any female monarch, and the second longest verified reign of any monarch of a sovereign state in history. She ascended to the throne in 1952 following the death of her father, King George VI and played an important role in promoting peace and understanding around the world till she passed away on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96.
Marie Curie – the first woman to win the Nobel Prize
Marie Curie was one of the greatest scientists mankind has ever had. She was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize, and the only person to win the Nobel Prize twice for two different scientific fields. She only discovered new elements (polonium and radium) but also laid the foundation of radioactivity which has wide range of applications in medicine, physics, and technology. She also invented the portable X-ray machines which helped to treat soldiers on the front lines during World War I. But behind the scene, she faced many hardships throughout her career. Marie Curie and her husband Pierre always faced a resource crunch and had to work in poorly equipped labs. Eventually Marie Curie died due to long-term exposure to radioactive materials but her innovations continue to inspire future generations of scientists.
Ada Lovelace – the world’s first computer programmer
Ada Lovelace the daughter of famous poet Lord Byron and mathematician Annabella Milbanke is credited to be the world’s first computer programmer and is reported to have collaborated with Charles Babbage, an English mathematician, philosopher, inventor, and mechanical engineer to develop Babbage’s general-purpose mechanical computer called the Analytical Engine. Though the Analytical Engine was never completed due to funding issues and technological limitations Ada recognized its potential beyond mere calculation and published extensive notes on it. But her ideas were fare ahead of her time. However, today the programming language Ada, is named in her honour and her story continues to inspire women in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson – first Black woman judge of the U.S. Supreme Court
The first Black woman judge of the U.S. Supreme Court. Jackson was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Joe Biden on February 25, 2022, and sworn into office that same year. Jackson has worked as a staff reporter and researcher for Time magazine and was supervising editor of the Harvard Law Review before starting her legal practice. Kamala Harris the first South Asian vice president said that Motley inspired her “to fight for the voiceless and for justice.”
Florence Nightingale – the founder of modern nursing
Florence Nightingale– named after the city of her birth (Florence, Italy) is regarded as the founder of modern nursing. She came to prominence during the Crimean War, where she and her team of nurses worked tirelessly to provide medical care for wounded soldiers and laid the foundation for modern nursing practices and standards. Nightingale’s dedication to nursing and healthcare earned her widespread admiration and respect. She is remembered as a trailblazer whose work transformed nursing into the respected and essential profession it is today.
Lucille Ball – America’s most admired actresses of the 20th century
Lucy Ball was one of America’s most admired, beloved and talented actresses of the 20th century. She was adjudged as the Time magazine’s “100 Most Important People of the Century”. The United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp on her 90th birthday as part of its Legends of Hollywood series. Ball appeared (more than any other person) on 39 covers of TV Guide which voted her as the “Greatest TV Star of All Time”. Her show I Love Lucy was rated, after Seinfeld as the second-best television program in American history.
Angela Merkel – the first female Chancellor of Germany
Angela Merkel – a research scientist with doctorate in quantum chemistry was one of the world’s most powerful women, and played a central role in shaping European and global politics. She was the first female Chancellor of Germany from November 22, 2005, to December 8, 2021, making her one of the longest-serving leaders in modern German history. She was named the world’s second most powerful person by Forbes magazine, after Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin respectively in 2012 and 2015, the highest ranking ever achieved by a woman. She was named the most powerful woman in the world for a record fourteenth time by Forbes. Merkel’s decision not to seek re-election in 2021 marked the end of an era in German politics. She left behind a significant legacy as one of the most influential leaders of her time.
Kalpana Chawla – first woman of Indian descent in space
Kalpana Chawla was the first woman of Indian descent to fly in space as NASA’s mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator in 1997. The shuttle orbited around Earth 252 times in a little over two weeks. Her second—and last—trip to space came in 2003 when she and six other astronauts completed more than 80 experiments over a period of 16 days. She and the entire crew died when the ship disintegrated upon re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere. In 2020, Northrop Grumman—an aerospace, defence, and Security Company, named a spacecraft after Chawla in her memory.
Margaret Thatcher – the first and longest-serving British prime minister
The longest-serving British prime minister and the first woman to hold the position. A research chemist and barrister before joining politics she rose to become the first woman to lead a major political party in the UK. Referred to as the “Iron Lady” for her uncompromising politics and leadership style, Thatcher’s conservative economic policies often called Thatcherism left a lasting impact on British politics and society. Thatcher’s role in shaping British politics have secured her a prominent place in history as one of the greatest prime ministers in British history. She was frequently referred to as the most powerful woman in the world.
Marie Stopes – pioneer in the field of birth control and reproductive health
Marie Stopes a British scientist and campaigner for women’s rights, is best known for her pioneering work in the field of birth control and reproductive health. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, she was one of the first women to graduate with a science degree from the University of London and spent her life challenging the societal taboos surrounding birth control, women’s reproductive rights, and family planning. Stopes advocated for the use of contraception, sexual fulfilment and mutual respect between partners and founded the first birth control clinic in the United Kingdom, which continues to be a major provider of reproductive health services worldwide.
Junko Tabei – the first woman to climb the Mount Everest
Junko Tabei a Japanese mountaineer, author, and teacher became the first woman to climb the Mount Everest in 1975 and also the first woman to complete “Seven Summits” – the tallest mountains on each continent. Tabei’s Everest expedition was made up of all women—unheard of at the time—and even survived an avalanche. In 1969, Junko Tabei established an exclusive mountain climbers club for women — the first of its kind in Japan because male mountaineers refused to climb with her, while others thought she was only interested in climbing as a way to find a husband. Today a mountain range on Pluto is named Tabei Montes and asteroid 6897 has been named Tabei after her.
General Lori Robinson – the first woman Commander of U.S. Combatant Command
General Lori Jean Robinson was the first woman in the history of the United States Armed Forces to command a major Unified Combatant Command. Now retired from the United States Air Force, she rose to be one the senior most officer in the U.S. Military and commanded the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Robinson previously served as commander of Pacific Air Forces which controls the Air Force activities spread over half the globe and supports 45,000 airmen serving in Japan, South Korea, Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam. Robinson was named to Time magazine’s list of 100 most influential people.
Also Read: Top 100 richest women in India today
Princess Diana – a symbol of compassion, and selfless service
Princess Diana, was a member of the British royal family. She married Charles, the Prince of Wales in a globally televised wedding ceremony which witnessed many ups and downs leading to their divorce in 1996. Diana’s popularity made her a frequent target of media attention, both positive and negative. Diana often used her celebrity status to promote various charitable causes, including those related to HIV/AIDS, landmine clearance, homelessness, and mental health. Her advocacy helped destigmatize these issues and raise awareness on a global scale. Unfortunately Diana’s life was tragically cut short in a car accident at the age of 36 but she remains an iconic figure and a symbol of kindness, compassion, and service to others.
Emma Walmsley – first woman CEO of GlaxoSmithKline
Emma Walmsley is the first woman CEO of GlaxoSmithKline – the world’s largest pharmaceutical company since 2017 and one of the highest paid corporate head. She drew a salary of $16 million in 2023. Her colleagues describe her as a “strong and dynamic” leader who “can be ruthless with underperformers”. A mother of four children, Emma worked for L’Oréal for 17 years, and was a non-executive director of Diageo and independent director of Microsoft before joining GlaxoSmithKline. Walmsley was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her services to the pharmaceutical industry and business.
Cleopatra – the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt
Cleopatra VII, often referred to as Cleopatra, was the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great. One of the most famous figures of her generation and is renowned for her intelligence, political acumen, and captivating beauty. Cleopatra ascended to the throne in 51 BC but throughout her reign, she faced political challenges both from within and Romans outside Egypt. She famously formed alliances with powerful Roman leaders, including Julius Caesar and Mark Antony to retain her grip and protect Egypt’s interests. Cleopatra’s death in 30 BC ushered in a period of Roman rule. Cleopatra remains one of the most iconic figures in the world history.
Joan of Arc – heroine of the 100 Years’ War between France and England
Joan of Arc a French military leader and heroine of the Hundred Years’ War between France and England, claimed to have received visions from saints urging her to support Charles VII and help drive the English out of France. Joan convinced local leaders to allow her to join the French army at the age of 17 and played a significant role in boosting the morale of French forces carrying a banner with the image of Jesus Christ. Her leadership and strategic prowess contributed to the lifting of the siege of Orleans and marked a turning point in the war. Joan was however captured and sentenced to death by the allies of the English. Joan was burned to death at the age of 19, in Rouen, France on May 30, 1431. However even after her death Joan of Arc is remembered as a saint and symbol of French nationalism. She remains one of the most celebrated figures in French history.
Hedy Lamarr – a Hollywood actress and inventor
Hedy Lamarr was a Hollywood actress and inventor who left an impact on both the fields. She gained international fame for her role in Czech film “Ecstasy” (1933) in which she appeared nude and portrayed a sexually liberated woman. In the 1930s she moved to the United States and starred in “Algiers” (1938), “Samson and Delilah” (1949) and became one of the most iconic actresses of her time. But beyond her acting career, Lamarr had a keen interest in science and technology and wanted to prove her worth as an inventor. She teamed up with George Antheil to develop frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology to help allied torpedoes evade detection by enemy submarines during World War II. This technology, which involved rapidly changing radio frequencies to prevent jamming, laid the foundation for modern wireless communication technologies, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. However, their invention went unrecognized till the 1990s when they were recognised and received number of awards for their ground-breaking invention and contributions to wireless communication
Arundhati Bhattacharya – the first woman to head the State Bank of India
Arundhati Bhattacharya was the first woman to serve as the Chairperson of the State Bank of India (SBI) the largest banks in India and one of the largest in the world (in terms of assets) from 2013 to 2017. During her tenure, Bhattacharya implemented several key initiatives to modernise and streamline the bank’s operations and focused on digitalization, customer service, and expanding the bank’s reach, both domestically and internationally. Under her leadership SBI consolidated its position and continued to grow on the global stage with around 17,000 branches, serving over 330 million customers in 36 countries. She widely regarded as one of the most influential leaders in the Indian banking sector and the person who transformed SBI from a state-run lender into a customer-friendly, competitive bank.
Constance Baker Motley- the first African American woman federal judge
Constance Baker Motley was the first African American woman to serve as a federal judge. She was the first Black woman lawyer and also one of the few women lawyers to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. She won nine of the 10 cases on behalf of civil rights protesters, students, and criminal defendants, among others. Throughout her tenure as a federal judge, Motley continued to champion civil rights and equality under the law. She presided over numerous cases involving discrimination, employment disputes, and other civil rights issues. Constance Baker Motley’s legacy as a civil rights pioneer and trailblazing jurist is enduring. Her contributions to the legal profession and the advancement of civil rights have had a profound impact on American society. In 2001 President Bill Clinton awarded her the Presidential Citizens Medal — the second-highest civilian award in the United States. Motley was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal – the oldest and highest civilian award in the United States, for her lifetime accomplishments in 2006. No wonder Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg called Motley “my human rights hero.”
Maggie Wei Wu – first woman to lead the Alibaba Group
Maggie Wu a prominent Chinese businesswoman served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Head of Strategic Investments of Alibaba Group, the giant in the world of internet commerce. She played a crucial role in Alibaba’s successful initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong and also co-led the privatization of Alibaba.com. Before joining the tech giant, Maggie Wu worked at KPMG in Beijing as a partner in their audit practice for 15 years. She was voted as the best CFO in FinanceAsia’s Asia’s Best Managed Companies and was included in Forbes’ prestigious list of Asia’s 50 Power Businesswomen. After stepping down as CFO in April 2022, she remains a director on the Alibaba Group board and is a founding member of the Alibaba Partnership.
Elizabeth Blackwell – 1st woman to receive a medical degree in the United States
Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States. Blackwell also played an important role in both the United States and the United Kingdom as a social reformer, and was a pioneer in promoting education for women in medicine. Born in England in 1821, Elizabeth migrated to the United States where women were dissuaded from joining the medical profession. But she was determined to become a doctor and was finally allowed to join the Geneva Medical College in New York after being rejected by numerous medical schools. Finally in 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell created history by becoming the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States. Despite the prejudice and scepticism Blackwell opened her own medical practice in New York City and founded the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children, which provided medical care to underserved communities. Her pioneering spirit and achievements continue to inspire women in medicine and beyond. Today the Elizabeth Blackwell Medal is awarded annually by the American Medical Women’s Association to women who make significant contribution to the promotion of women in medicine.
Golda Meir – first and only woman Prime Minister of Israel
The first and only woman Prime Minister of Israel. Golda Meir was also the first female head of government in the entire Middle East. She was one of the signatories of the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948, a pivotal moment in the nation’s history and served as the fourth Prime Minister of Israel (1969-1974). Known for her strong leadership style Meir’s tenure as Prime Minister was marked by several significant events, including the Munich Olympics massacre in 1972 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Her autobiography, My Life, was published in 1975. She once said, “We can forgive the Arabs for killing our children. We cannot forgive them for forcing us to kill their children. We will only have peace with the Arabs when they love their children more than they hate us.”
Dorothy Hodgkin – the third woman to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Dorothy Hodgkin a British scientist won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1964 for solving the atomic structure of molecules such as penicillin and insulin. This made her the third woman to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Hodgkin was the only British woman scientist to have been awarded a Nobel Prize in any of the three sciences it recognizes. She made ground-breaking contributions to X-ray crystallography, a technique used to determine the three-dimensional structure of molecules. She discovered the structure of penicillin, vitamin B12, and the first structure of a steroid. She also played a crucial role in elucidating the structure of insulin, another vital molecule for human health after 35 years of work, while battling rheumatoid arthritis throughout her career. Dorothy Hodgkin’s legacy lies in the field of structural biology, which continues to play a vital role in medical research and drug development.
Indra Nooyi – the first woman of color and immigrant to lead a Fortune 50 company
Indra Nooyi was an Indian-American business woman who made significant strides in the corporate world, and served as the chairman and CEO of PepsiCo a global food and beverage giant from 2006 to 2018. She was the first woman of color and immigrant to lead a Fortune 50 company. During her time at PepsiCo, Nooyi focused on diversifying the company’s product portfolio, emphasizing healthier options, and expanding its presence in international markets. PepsiCo’s sales nearly doubling during her tenure. Nooyi’s strategic vision and leadership style earned her widespread recognition, including being ranked among the world’s most powerful women by Forbes magazine. She ranked number 13 on the Forbes list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women and the second most powerful woman on the Fortune list. A part of the credit for her achievements goes to her paternal grandfather who used to make her write “I will not make excuses” 200 times on a piece of paper every time she failed to get things right.
Hellen Keller – the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree
Hellen Keller the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Keller lost both her sight and hearing after an illness at the age of 19 months. But Keller’s spirit wasn’t dimmed and despite the disabilities she learned to communicate with the help of her teacher Anne Sullivan who made her use innovative methods including fingerspelling and braille to read, write and communicate with the outside world. Despite the challenges of being deaf and blind, Keller completed her Bachelor of Arts degree from the Radcliffe College and becoming the first deafblind person in the United States to achieve this feat. Keller went on to become a world-famous speaker, author and advocate for people with disabilities. Her accomplishment demonstrates the immense potential that lies within every individual.
(To be continued)
