Great Women in Human History
Twelve Great Women of History: Over time history has developed in many ways. Until the end of the 19th century, great personalities and great political and military accomplishments were studied.
As the purpose of history is to study the action of human beings over the years, it is important to talk about the history of women in humanity.
In the early 1960s, the “History of Women” emerged in the academic field, with the aim of building a specific field in historiographical knowledge.
In order to talk about the history of women, one must take knowledge of primordial facts from the beginning of the history of man.
Male domination occurred in the West since the beginning of Greek civilization. Men were responsible for military and political actions and these same men wrote their history. In this way, the woman had a secondary role, becoming subordinate, except in domestic activities.
At the end of the 19th century, when capitalism became the economic and social organization in the world, this changed. With the end of the so-called patriarchy (organization of the work force centered on the family structure), the individual salary of the work force appears, now being the center of the work organization the companies and no longer families.
Although capitalism brought the end of patriarchy, machismo was still present in work and social relations around the world.
There was an attempt to keep women in subordinate positions in the public, domestic and business spheres, which is still common today.
But capitalism brought many changes and there were several possibilities in the man x woman relationship.
With the need for salaried work at this historical moment, women achieved independence and overcoming the subordination that had prevailed for centuries.
During the 20th century, the main struggles regarding the right to vote, wages and equal labor rights were developed. The 1960s were the height of the feminist movement.
Through daily struggles, the situation of women was changing, but still in the second decade of the 21st century there were many differences between men and women in the social spheres and still found today.
However, many achievements were achieved in the labor, political, business and sexual freedom spheres.
When it comes to the domestic reality, changes occurred more slowly. Millions of women still suffer from domestic violence. In Brazil, with the implementation of the Maria da Penha Law, enacted in 2006, this reality has been changing.
We can name Twelve of the great women who influenced the history of the world:
• Queen Elizabeth: became one of the best-known leaders in history for her political measures in England supported by her subjects and for her fight against Catholicism.
• Anita Garibaldi: 19th century revolutionary.
• Catherine the Great: reformed the Russian Empire according to Enlightenment ideals.
• Cleopatra: Egyptian queen of great personality who influenced Roman politics.
• Hatshepsut: first pharaoh who made major changes in Egypt.
• Isabel of Castile: Queen of Spain, who together with her husband King Aragon led the war against the Moorish population, considered one of the cruelest periods in Spain.
• Joan of Arc: peasant woman who supported and helped France to defeat England in the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453).
• Margareth Thatcher: first woman to assume the highest power in Great Britain – Prime Minister, in 1979. She stayed in government for 11 years and resigned in 1990, after the end of the Cold War.
• Mary Stuart: queen of the 16th century who had the hatred and malice of sovereigns against her. Married Prince Francis at Notre Dame Castle. This (Francis) coming to become king after the death of Henry III. With the death of Francis II and other disagreements, Maria attracted the hatred of the nobility the moment she married Bothwell, a mercenary who headed the imperial guard. Bothwell lost a battle and died and in fear Maria asks cousin Queen Elizabeth for help. Despite appeals and protests from France and Spain, Maria was tried and sentenced to death. He died under the hand of the executioner who brought the ax down on his neck, putting an end to his life.
• Mary Magdalene: woman who has intrigued Christians throughout history. Biblical character who appears in Christian narrations as a woman who repents of her sins and therefore has the right to a structured life under the love of God. Jesus, in offering forgiveness to Mary Magdalene, makes her a kind of symbol for forgiveness. Sinful man can repent of his sins and live under God's love.
• Queen of Sheba: legendary queen who has become an enigma in history, with no evidence of her life. His coronation was much celebrated by the subjects of Saba. His reign is marked by luxury and wealth, thanks to the plentiful harvest and Saba's location, which boosted trade, being known as a meeting point for merchants from all over. Talking with one of the travelers who had done business with a certain king of Jerusalem, the queen was intrigued and decided to visit him. The queen proved to be very cultured and good-natured, and the great seducer king courted her. Even under the vow of chastity, the queen of Sheba did not resist Solomon. She remained in his company for a few months and returned to Sabá pregnant with her beloved. The son was named Menilek. When he returned, accounts of his life were scarce. Archaeologically none of their stories are proven.
• Queen Victoria: accelerated English industry, put an end to slavery in the British Empire, instituted laws that helped workers such as the “Third Reform Act” – right to vote for all workers and reduction of the working day to ten hours. Reigned for 64 years, from 1837-1901, government known as the "Victorian Era" - rise of the industrial bourgeoisie. She had rheumatism in her legs that did not allow her to walk and vision affected by cataracts. He died in 1901, due to an aggravation of his health, at the age of 81.
