March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the fearless women who changed the world. From warriors to writers, from nurses to rebels, women have shaped history in bold and beautiful ways.

Many of these women were also queer, living their truth even when the world told them not to. Their strength inspires us today. Let’s honor their stories and their fight for freedom.

 

The Origins of Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month: How It All Began

Women’s History Month is celebrated every March to recognise the incredible contributions women have made to history, society, and culture. In the UK, this month is an opportunity to highlight women’s achievements and amplify their voices, especially those whose stories have been overlooked.

Women’s History Month has its roots in International Women’s Day, which has been observed globally since the early 1900s. The idea of dedicating a month to women’s history spread from the United States, where it began as a local celebration in California in 1978.

By the late 1980s, the movement gained traction worldwide, with different countries marking the month in their own way. In the UK, Women’s History Month is a time to reflect on the past while continuing to push for gender equality.

 

Women Who Broke Barriers

Mary Seacole: The Healer Who Refused to Be Ignored

Black and white photograph of Mary Seacole, a 19th-century Jamaican-British nurse and humanitarian, wearing a dark Victorian dress with decorative embroidery. She is seated, holding a bowl, with medical bottles on a nearby table, symbolizing her contributions to battlefield medicine during the Crimean War.
Photograph: Amoret Tanner/Alamy

Mary Seacole was a Jamaican nurse who wanted to help soldiers during the Crimean War. But when she asked to join Florence Nightingale’s hospital, she was rejected—because she was Black. 

Mary didn’t give up. Instead, she traveled to Crimea and built her own hospital. She risked her life to care for wounded soldiers, and they loved her for it. People called her "Mother Seacole." Even after the war, she kept fighting to be recognized. Today, she stands as a symbol of resilience and courage.

 

Florence Nightingale: The Woman Who Changed Healthcare

Black and white portrait of Florence Nightingale, the pioneering British nurse and social reformer, wearing a lace-trimmed bonnet and Victorian dress. Known as the "Lady with the Lamp," she revolutionized nursing and hospital sanitation, particularly during the Crimean War.

London Stereoscopic Company/Getty Images

Florence Nightingale is known as the founder of modern nursing. She transformed hospitals, making them cleaner and safer for patients. During the Crimean War, she worked day and night to help soldiers recover.

But Florence was also a woman who lived outside the norm. She never married, choosing instead to focus on her passion for healthcare and reform. Her legacy continues in every hospital around the world.

 

Grace Darling: The Sea’s Fearless Heroine

Illustration of Grace Darling and her father courageously rowing through stormy seas to rescue shipwreck survivors in 1838. The rough waves and distant wreckage highlight the bravery and determination of this British maritime heroine.

 Photograph: Chronicle/Alamy

Grace Darling was a lighthouse keeper’s daughter who became famous for a daring rescue. In 1838, she saw a shipwreck during a storm. She and her father rowed through wild waves to save nine people from drowning.

Her bravery made her a national hero. Grace’s story reminds us that heroism isn’t just about fighting battles—it’s also about showing up for others, no matter the risk.

 

Queer Women Who Lived Unapologetically

Julie d’Aubigny: The Swordfighter Who Loved Women

Painting of Julie d’Aubigny, the 17th-century French opera singer and skilled duelist, reclining confidently on a red sofa while holding a rapier. Known for her rebellious spirit and romantic affairs with both men and women, she defied societal norms with her bold and unapologetic lifestyle.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Julie d’Aubigny was a 17th-century French opera singer and duelist. She dressed in men’s clothes, fought duels to defend her lovers, and once even rescued a woman from a convent by setting it on fire.

She lived her life on her own terms, refusing to let society tell her who she could be. A true icon of queerness and rebellion.

 

Anne Lister: The First Modern Lesbian

Portrait of Anne Lister, a 19th-century English landowner, diarist, and LGBTQ+ trailblazer, known as the "first modern lesbian." She documented her same-sex relationships in coded diaries, later decoded to reveal a rich history of queer love and defiance of societal norms.

Portrait of Anne Lister

Anne Lister was a landowner and diarist in the 1800s. She wrote in code about her relationships with women, documenting her love affairs in secret. She even "married" her partner, Ann Walker, in a private ceremony. She was referred to "Gentleman Jack" in in Halifax.

Anne’s diaries were later decoded, revealing a rich history of queer love that had been hidden for centuries. Today, she is celebrated as a pioneer for LGBTQ+ women.

 

Audre Lorde: The Poet Who Spoke Truth to Power

Black and white photograph of Audre Lorde, the Black lesbian poet, writer, and activist, standing beside a chalkboard with the words “Women are powerful and dangerous.” Known for her work on race, gender, and sexuality, Lorde’s legacy continues to inspire feminist and LGBTQ+ movements.

Photo Credit: Robert Alexander/Getty Images

Audre Lorde was a Black lesbian poet, writer, and activist. She wrote about race, gender, and sexuality with fierce honesty.

Audre believed that differences should be celebrated, not erased. Her words continue to inspire queer women, feminists, and activists today. As she once said, "Your silence will not protect you."


Women Who Shaped the 20th Century

Virginia Woolf: The Literary Genius

Black and white photograph of Virginia Woolf, the pioneering British writer and feminist, sitting in deep thought with her hand resting on her face. Known for her literary innovations and exploration of women's inner lives, Woolf’s works, including Orlando and A Room of One’s Own, continue to inspire generations.

Photograph: Alamy

Virginia Woolf was a writer who changed literature forever. She wrote about women’s inner lives and struggles in a way no one had before.

She also had a deep love for another writer, Vita Sackville-West. Their relationship inspired some of her most famous works. Virginia’s writing challenged society’s view of women and continues to inspire feminists today.

 

Eleanor Roosevelt: The First Lady Who Defied Expectations

Black and white portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt, the influential First Lady, diplomat, and human rights activist. Known for her advocacy for social justice, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights, she reshaped the role of First Lady and left a lasting impact on global human rights movements.

Photograph: Library of Congress/Getty Images

Eleanor Roosevelt was not just a First Lady—she was a leader. She fought for human rights, racial equality, and women’s rights. But she also had a secret love story.

She and journalist Lorena Hickok exchanged passionate letters for years. Eleanor’s story reminds us that love is powerful, and standing up for what’s right is even more so.

 

Amelia Earhart: The Sky’s Limitless Pioneer

Colorized photograph of Amelia Earhart, the pioneering aviator, standing confidently beside her aircraft in a leather flight jacket and breeches. As the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, Earhart shattered barriers in aviation and inspired generations of women to chase their dreams.

"Fly for the fun of it!" Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart was a record-breaking pilot who shattered expectations. She took her first plane ride in 1920 and knew she was meant to fly. By 1928, she became the first woman to cross the Atlantic by plane. Later, she made history again, becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic.

Earhart didn’t just break records—she inspired women to dream big. Tragically, she disappeared in 1937 while attempting to fly around the world, but her legacy remains.

 

The Legacy of Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month isn’t just about the past—it’s about the future. Every woman who spoke up, broke barriers, or loved fearlessly made it possible for us to live more freely today.

But the fight isn’t over. Gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice are still struggles we must continue.

By remembering these incredible women, we keep their stories alive. We remind ourselves that we, too, can be brave, bold, and unapologetic. Let’s celebrate their legacy by living our own truth—loudly and proudly.

 

Conclusion

We, Saphette, honor these women not just because they made history, but because they made the world better for us.

This Women’s History Month, let’s celebrate their courage, their love, and their refusal to be silenced.

Tell their stories. Share their lessons. And most importantly—be your own kind of trailblazer.