by Muneerah B.

Created on: June 25, 2009

Legendary Chicks

We grew up reading stories of one-dimensional princesses in fairy tales, only to realize later that happily-ever-afters do not exist and that we don't need a prince charming on a white horse to save us and provide us a better life! But still, it's never too late to discover the stories of women we should have read as little girls, women who we can all draw inspiration from today.

Cleopatra

This was one woman who knew how to play her game. After getting the gig as Queen of Egypt at seventeen, she was also the last Pharaoh of the kingdom and of ancient Egyptian history. What you probably didn't know is that, apparently, judging from her images portrayed in coins and such, she wasn't all that hot as we've made her out to be today. But still, I bet Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony had NO idea what they got themselves into.

Empress Theodora

From an actress to a powerful political figure in Byzantine history, she was probably one of the forgotten names who kicked start the notion of woman's lib. In addition to playing an equally vital role in ruling the empire with her husband, she also conceptualized and enforced the idea of death penalty for rape crimes, and women's property & divorce rights. And even if politics isn't your thing, it still takes a persistent woman in authority to make everyone sit up and pay effective attention to issues that concern women of today.

Hua Mu Lan

Poems and prose brought her out to the Chinese people and years later, she was the first in the new wave of female Disney characters (with a strong streak of independence and courage) when they made an animated epic out of her life. We're pretty sure Joan of Arc did a great job over where she was but Mu Lan proves there are female figures who are just as admirable, from this part of the globe too.

Hypatia

Despite her vast contributions to the development of Philosophy, Astronomy and Mathematics, her Pagan belief opposed the Christian majority at that time and eventually led to her brutal death. It was also likely that a woman of her influence was considered to be a threat. With the growing number of girls losing interest in Math and Science at a young age today, Hypatia's existence and achievements would make a great source of motivation for more women to excel these areas.

Lilith

The first woman created (as believed by some) pissed Adam off when she refused to lie beneath him. So she walked out on him and (unfortunately?) they never got back together. Although Lilith is better known as a demon after her refusal to return to Adam, the first woman to stand up to a man has GOT to make it into this list.

Mahsuri

Her husband was away fighting war and someone (most likely her mother-in-law) had motives to stir up conspiracy about her and the wandering poet slash story teller in the village. This misjudgment and false accusation of adultery on Mahsuri led to a seven generation curse (which she managed to utter with her last breathe) on the island of Langkawi, Malaysia. The curse is believed to have been lifted only in recent decades and the legend of Mahsuri reminds us that even if gossip gets out of hand, the truth will ultimately prevail.

While princesses in castles and princes on white horses make good imaginative reading material for young girls, these stories mentioned are some of the legendary ladies all grown women should know about. It's never too late to be inspired by alternative stories we may have missed out on as a child.

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