Lindsey Vonn Introduction
By Richard MeekLIFE Photo Collection
1. Billie Jean King
American former World No. 1 professional tennis player Billie Jean King won 39 Grand Slam titles: 12 in singles, 16 in women's doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles.
The Original 9 (1970-09-23) by RGD0006N-1970-2841-004, Houston Post Photographs, Houston Public Library, HMRCInternational Tennis Hall of Fame
Venus and Serena Williams (2000) by MediaPunch IncOriginal Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2. Venus & Serena Williams
US tennis' superstar sisters.
LIFE Photo Collection
Venus Williams (born 1980) and her sister Serena (born 1981), changed women’s tennis, dominating the sport for decades. They began playing on rundown courts in Compton with their self-taught father as coach, turning pro at age 14.
Venus has been ranked No. 1 three times and has won seven Grand Slam singles titles and four Olympic gold medals.
Serena holds 23 Grand Slam titles, more than any other player in the Open era. She has been ranked No. 1 eight times and also has four Olympic gold medals.
Williams, Venus & SerenaLIFE Photo Collection
The sisters have been rivals—playing each other in four consecutive Grand Slam singles finals—yet they still root for each other. Venus’ advocacy led Wimbledon and the French Open to finally award equal prize money to women.
Marie Curie in her laboratory, located rue Cuvier, circa 1908 (1908) by Henri ManuelMusée Curie
3. Marie Curie
Marie Curie was a pioneer who devoted her entire career and life to science, and won the Nobel Prize for Science twice.
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”
Marie Curie
STS-7 crew on aft flight deck during proximity operations (2009-06-25)NASA
4. Sally Ride
The first American woman in space!
Sally Ride Posthumously Receives Medal of Freedom (2013-11-20) by NASA/Carla CioffiNASA
Here, Sally Ride's life partner, Tam O'Shaughnessy, receives the posthumously-awarded Medal of Freedom from President Obama on her partner's behalf.
Madam C. J. Walker (c. 1914) by Addison N. ScurlockSmithsonian's National Portrait Gallery
5. Madam C.J. Walker
One of the most successful African American entrepreneurs of the early twentieth century, Madam C. J. Walker created a line of phenomenally popular hair care and beauty products.
Villa Lewaro 1924 by From the collection of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Villa Lewaro courtesy A'Lelia Bundles/Madam Walker Family Archive.National Trust for Historic Preservation
Tap to explore
Click and drag and use the arrows to explore Villa Lewaro in Street View.
Portrait of Frida Kahlo (1948 January 24) by Florence ArquinArchives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution
6. Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo overcame injuries sustained in a bus accident to become one of Mexico's most iconic painters.
Self-Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trotsky (1937) by Frida KahloNational Museum of Women in the Arts
“I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy to be alive as long as I can paint.”
Frida Kahlo
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Click and drag and use the arrows to explore La Casa Azul, Mexico City, Kahlo's birthplace in 1904 and home to her and husband, mural painter Diego Rivera, from 1929 until her death in 1954. It is now the Museo Frida Kahlo.
Self-Portrait as the Allegory of Painting (La Pittura) (c.1638-9) by Artemisia GentileschiRoyal Collection Trust, UK
Want to discover more about history's powerful women? Find out about 7 Contemporary Artists Inspired by Artemisia Gentileschi
